A  N  D  B  O  ( 
)F  BIRDS  OF 
THE  WESTERN 
UNITED  STATES 


Florence  Merrieun  Bail 


X 


BANCROFT 
LIBRARY 

THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


RING-BILLED  GULL  (Page  23) 


HANDBOOK    OF    BIRDS 

OF    THE 

WESTERN  UNITED  STATES 

INCLUDING 

THE  GREAT  PLAINS,  GREAT  BASIN,   PACIFIC  SLOPE,  AND 
LOWER  RIO  GRANDE  VALLEY 

BY 

FLORENCE   MERRIAM  BAILEY 


WITH  THIRTY-THREE  FULL-PAGE   PLATES  BY 

LOUIS  AGASSIZ  FUERTES,  AND  OVER  SIX 

HUNDRED  CUTS   IN  THE   TEXT 


FOURTH   EDITION,    REVISED 


BOSTON    AND   NEW   YORK 
HOUGHTON  MIFFLIN   COMPANY 


1915 


r  > 


COPYRIGHT,    1902,   BY    FLORENCE   A.    BAILEY 
ALL    RIGHTS    RESERVED 

Publish**  Navembtr,  tgos 


nAfvfc 


PREFATORY  NOTE. 


THE  preparation  of  this  book  has  been  facilitated  by  the  good 
offices  of  many  ornithologists.  To  Mr.  Robert  Ridgway  and  Dr.  C. 
Hart  Merriam  I  am  indebted  for  use  of  the  National  Museum  and 
Biological  Survey  collections,  and  to  Mr.  Ridgway  for  generous 
help  in  the  study  of  the  museum  skins.  I  am  also  indebted  to  Mr. 
Ridgway  for  use  of  the  proof  of  his  forthcoming  Part  II.  of  Birds 
of  North  and  Middle  America,  and  to  Dr.  Merriam  for  use  of  the 
Biological  Survey  records.  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher  has  given  me  kindly 
advice  at  all  points  and  important  help  by  a  critical  reading  of  the 
entire  manuscript,  with  especial  examination  of  distributions.  From 
my  husband,  Mr.  Vernon  Bailey,  I  have  had  untiring  advice  and 
assistance,  in  addition  to  the  preparation  of  the  water  bird  descrip- 
tions and  keys,  and  a  large  number  of  biographies  of  both  water 
and  land  birds.  Mr.  E.  W.  Nelson  has  generously  corrected  and 
extended  the  ranges  of  the  birds  in  Mexico,  and  Mr.  H.  C.  Ober- 
holser  has  rendered  much  valuable  critical  aid,  while  Dr.  T.  S. 
Palmer  has  contributed  an  important  chapter  on  bird  protection. 
To  all  those  who  have  helped  in  the  preparation  of  the  book  I  would 
express  my  sincere  gratitude  and  appreciation. 


FLORENCE  MERRIAM  BAILEY. 


WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 
October,  1902. 


NOTE  TO  FOURTH  EDITION. 


IN  the  Addenda  to  the  Fourth  Edition  of  the  Handbook  will  be 
found  a  list  of  the  changes  in  families  and  genera  made  by  the  No- 
menclature Committee  of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union  since 
the  publication  of  the  Handbook ;  descriptions  of  new  species  recog- 
nized in  the  third  edition  of  the  Check- List  of  North  American  Birds 
(1910)  and  in  the  Sixteenth  Supplement  to  the  Check-List  (1912) ;  a  list 
of  species  that  should  be  dropped  from  the  Handbook,  either  because 
they  have  been  eliminated  from  the  Check-List,  rejected  by  the  No- 
menclature Committee,  thrown  out  of  the  western  United  States  by 
the  subdivision  of  species,  or  because  the  records  on  which  they  were 
included  have  been  found  unsatisfactory ;  and  also  a  list  of  the  birds 
of  the  western  United  States  in  the  nomenclature  of  the  1910  Check- 
List  with  corrected  ranges ;  together  with  a  list  of  books  of  reference 
published  since  the  first  edition  of  the  Handbook. 

F.  M.  B. 

May,  1914. 


CONTENTS 


_  T  PAGE 

LIST  OP  ILLUSTRATIONS ix 

INTRODUCTION xxv 

Acknowledgments xxv 

Collecting  and  preparing  Birds,  Nests,  and  Eggs.    By  Vernon 

Bailey xxvi 

Collecting  Birds .  xxvi 

Measuring       ..........  xxvii 

Making  Bird  Skins .  xxviii 

Skinning xxix 

Stuffing xxx 

Labeling xxx 

Sexing xxx 

Collecting  and  preserving  Eggs  and  Nests     ....  xxxi 

Note-Taking,  Note-Books,  and  Journals   .        .        .        .        .  xxxiii 

Life  Zones xxxiii 

Migration   .        .        .        .        .        •        •        •        •        .        •  xxxvi 

Economic  Ornithology xxxvii 

Bird  Protection.     By  Theodore  S.  Palmer        ....  xxxix 

Books  of  Reference xliv 

Use  of  Handbook  Keys .  xlix 


BIRDS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  WEST  OF  THE  ONE 
HUNDREDTH  MERIDIAN. 

KEY  TO  ORDERS ,       .       .        • 

KEY  TO  FAMILIES  OF  WATER  BIRDS "  • 


vi  CONTENTS 

ORDER  PYGOPODES:  DIVING  BIRDS 5 

Family  Podicipidse :  Grebes 5 

Family  Gaviidae :  Loons .9 

Family  Alcidae :  Auks,  Murres,  and  Puffins  .  .  .  .11 

ORDER  LONGIPENNES  :  LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS   ....  17 

Family  Stercorariidse :  Jaegers,  etc.      ......  17 

Family  Laridae :  Gulls  and  Terns 19 

ORDER  TUBINARES  :  TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS 32 

Family  Diomedeidae :  Albatrosses 32 

Family  Procellariidae :  Fulmars  and  Shearwaters  ...  33 

ORDER  STEGANOPODES  :  TOTIPALMATE  SWIMMERS  ....  39 

Family  Anhingidae :  Darters 39 

Family  Phalacrocoracidae :  Cormorants 39 

Family  Pelecanidae :  Pelicans 42 

Family  Fregatidae :  Man-o'-War  Birds 43 

ORDER  ANSERES  :  LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS  ....  44 
Family  Anatidse  :  Ducks,  Geese,  and  Swans  .  .  .  .44 

ORDER  HERODIONES  :  HERONS,  STORKS,  IBISES,  ETC.  ...  70 

Family  Ibididse :  Ibises 70 

Family  Ciconiidse  :  Storks  and  Wood  Ibises  .  .  .  .72 

Family  Ardeidae :  Herons,  Egrets,  Bitterns  ....  72 

ORDER  PALUDICOL.E  :  CRANES,  RAILS,  ETC 78 

Family  Gruidae :  Cranes 78 

Family  Rallidae  :  Rails,  Gallinules,  and  Coots  ....  79 

ORDER  LIMICOL^J  :  SHORE  BIRDS 84 

Family  Phalaropodidae  :  Phalaropes     ......  84 

Family  Recurvirostridae :  Avocets  and  Stilts  ....  86 

Family  Scolopacidae  :  Snipe,  Sandpipers,  etc 87 

Family  Charadriidae :  Plovers       .        .         .        .        .         .        .  102 

Family  Aphrizidae  :  Surf  Birds  and  Turnstones  ....  106 

Family  Haematopodidse :  Oyster-catchers 107 

Family  Jacanidaa  :  Jacanas 108 

KEY  TO  FAMILIES  OF  LAND  BIRDS 108 

ORDER  GALLIN/E  :  GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS 113 

Family  Tetraonidae :  Grouse,  Partridges,  Quail,  etc.  .  .  .  113 

Family  Phasianidae  :  Pheasants  and  Turkeys 134 

Family  Cracidae :  Currassows  and  Guans 137 

ORDER  COLUMB-E  :  PIGEONS 138 

Family  Columbidae  :  Pigeons 138 

ORDER  RAPTORES:  BIRDS  OF  PREY 144 

Family  Cathartidae :  Vultures 144 

Family  Falconidae :  Falcons,  Hawks,  Eagles,  etc.  .  .  .  146 

Family  Strigidae  :  Barn  Owls 173 

Family  Bubonidae :  Horned  Owls,  etc. 175 

ORDER  PSITTACI  :  PARROTS,  MACAWS,  PAROQUETS,  ETC.  .  .  192 

Family  Psittacidae :  Parrots  and  Paroquets 192 


CONTENTS  vii 

ORDER  COCCYGES:  CUCKOOS,  ETC 193 

Family  Cuculidse :  Anis,  Road-runners,  and  Cuckoos  .  .  .  193 

Family  Trogonidae :  Trogons 197 

Family  Alcedinidae :  Kingfishers 198 

ORDER  PICI  :  WOODPECKERS,  ETC 200 

Family  Picidse :  Woodpeckers  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  200 

ORDER  MACROCHIRES  :  GOATSUCKERS,  SWIFTS,  AND  HUMMINGBIRDS  222 

Family  Caprimulgidae :  Goatsuckers 222 

Family  Micropodidae  :  Swifts 229 

Family  Trochilidse :  Hummingbirds 232 

ORDER  PASSERES  :  PERCHING  BIRDS 245 

Family  Cotihgidae  :  Cotingas 245 

Family  Tyrannidae :  Tyrant  Flycatchers  .  .  .  .  .245 

Family  Alaudidae  :  Larks 265 

Family  Corvidae :  Crows,  Jays,  Magpies,  etc 269 

Family  Sturnidae  :  Starlings 285 

Family  Icteridse  :  Blackbirds,  Orioles,  etc.  ^  .  .  .  .  285 

Family  Fringillidae  :  Finches,  Sparrows,  etc.  .  .  .  .  303 

Family  Tanagridae :  Tanagers .  379 

Family  Hirundinidae  :  Swallows 382 

Family  Ampelidse :  Waxwings  and  Phainopeplas  .  .  .  387 

Family  Laniidae :  Shrikes  .  .  .  » 391 

Family  Vireonidae :  Vireos 394 

Family  Mniotiltidae  :  Wood  Warblers 401 

Family  Motacillidae  :  Wagtails 431 

Family  Cinclidae :  Dippers 432 

Family  Troglodytidae  :  Wrens,  Thrashers,  etc.  .  .  .  .  433 

Family  Certhiidae :  Creepers 451 

Family  Paridae  :  Nuthatches  and  Tits 452 

Family  Sylviidae  :  Kinglets,  Gnatcatchers,  etc 463 

Family  Turdidae:  Thrushes,  Solitaires,  Bluebirds,  etc.  .  467 

APPENDIX. 

Color  Key  to  Genera  of  some  of  the  Common  Passerine  Birds     .  479 

ADDENDA 486 

INDEX         .                                                                               .  545 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


FULL-PAGE  PLATES. 

PACING   PAGK 

I.  RING-BILLED  GULL Frontispiece. 

II.  ZONE  MAP xxxiv 

III.  TOPOGRAPHY  OF  BIRD 1 

IV.  EARED  GREBB    7 

V.  FORSTER  TERN 29 

VI.  PELAGIC  CORMORANT •        .42 

VII.  SHOVELLER 64 

VIII.  BLACK-CROWNED  NIGHT  HERON  - 77 

IX.  WILSON  PHALAROPE 85 

X.  BLACK-NECKED  STILT        .        .        .        .        .        .        .86 

XI.  LONG-BILLED  CURLEW 101 

XII.  SNOWY  PLOVER 105 

XIII.  SCALED  PARTRIDGE 118 

XIV.  MEARNS  QUAIL 122 

XV.  WHITE-TAILED  PTARMIGAN 129 

XVI.  MARSH  HAWK 150 

XVII.  AUDUBON  CARACARA 171 

XVIII.  POOR-WILL 224 

XIX.   SCISSOR-TAILED   FLYCATCHER 246 

XX.  ARKANSAS  AND  CASSIN  KINGBIRDS 249 

XXI.  ASH-THROATED  FLYCATCHER 253 

XXII.  MAGPIE 270 

XXIII.  LONG-CRESTED  JAY 273 

XXIV.  WOODHOUSE  JAY .274 

XXV.  NORTHERN  RAVEN 280 

XXVI.  YELLOW-HEADED  BLACKBIRD 288 

XXVII.  WESTERN  LARK  SPARROW 336 

XXVIII.  TEXAS  PYRRHULOXIA 371 

XXIX.  LARK  BUNTING 377 

XXX.  PILEOLATED  WARBLER 428 

XXXI.  ROCK  WREN .        .        .443 

XXXII.  CANYON  WREN 445 

XXXIII.  LONG-BILLED  MARSH  WREN 450 


x  LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

XXXIV.  PYGMY  NUTHATCH 454 

XXXV.  MOUNTAIN  CHICKADEE      . 458 

XXXVI.  VARIED  THRUSH 474 

DIAGRAMS. 

Measurement  of  Bill xxviii 

Measurement  of  Tarsus xxviii 

FIGURES  IN  THE  TEXT, 

FIGURE  PAGE 

1.  Western  Grebe,  foot 2 

2.  Loon,  foot 2 

3.  Tufted  Puffin,  foot 2 

4.  Herring  Gull,  foot 2 

5.  Parasitic  Jaeger,  bill 2 

6.  Short-billed  Gull,  bill 2 

7.  Black-footed  Albatross,  bill 3 

8.  Giant  Fulmar,  bill 3 

9.  Cormorant,  foot 3 

10.  Man-o'-War  Bird,  bill 3 

11.  White-crested  Cormorant,  bill 3 

12.  White  Pelican,  bill 3 

13.  Merganser,  foot 3 

14.  White-faced  Glossy  Ibis,  bill 4 

15.  Green  Heron,  head        .........4 

16.  Sandhill  Crane,  foot 4 

17.  Florida  Gallinule,  foot 4 

18.  White -rum  ped  Sandpiper,  foot 4 

19.  Eilldeer,  foot 4 

20.  Western  Grebe,  head 5 

21.  Horned  Grebe,  head 7 

22.  Least  Grebe 8 

23.  Pied-billed  Grebe .8 

24.  Loon,  bill .9 

25.  Pacific  Loon,  head        .         . 11 

26.  Tufted  Puffin,  bill 11 

27.  California  Murre,  bill 11 

28.  Rhinoceros  Auklet,  bill 12 

29.  Pigeon  Guillemot,  bill 12 

30.  Paroquet  Auklet,  bill 12 

31.  Least  Auklet,  bill 12 

32.  Tufted  Puffin,  head 12 

33.  Rhinoceros  Auklet,  bill 13 

34.  Paroquet  Auklet,  bill 14 

35.  Least  Auklet,  bill 14 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS  xi 

36.  Marbled  Murrelet        .                                   15 

37.  Pigeon  Guillemot,  head 16 

38.  California  Murre 17 

39.  Long-tailed  Jaeger,  head 19 

40.  Herring  Gull,  bill 19 

41.  Forster  Tern,  bill         .         .     - 19 

42.  Heermann  Gull 24 

43.  Franklin  Gull,  head 25 

44.  Franklin  Gull,  wing  tip 26 

45.  Bonaparte  Gull,  wing  tip 26 

46.  Sabine  Gull,  bill 27 

47.  Sabine  Gull 27 

48.  Caspian  Tern,  head 28 

49.  Least  Tern 30 

50.  Black  Tern 31 

51.  Sooty  Albatross,  bill 32 

52.  Black-footed  Albatross,  bill 32 

53.  Sooty  Albatross,  bill 33 

54.  Forked-tailed  Petrel,  bill 33 

55.  Slender-billed  Fulmar,  bill 33 

56.  Giant  Fulmar,  bill 84 

57.  Slender-billed  Fulmar,  bill 34 

58.  Kaeding  Petrel 37 

59.  White  Pelican,  bill 42 

60.  Man-o'-War  Bird,  bill 43 

61.  Merganser,  bill 44 

62.  Mallard,  bill 44 

63.  Red-breasted  Merganser,  head .46 

64.  Hooded  Merganser,  head 47 

65.  Mallard,  head 48 

66.  Baldpate,  head 50 

67.  Green-winged  Teal,  head 51 

68.  Blue-winged  Teal,  head 52 

69.  Cinnamon  Teal,  head 53 

70.  Pintail,  head 54 

71.  Wood  Duck,  head 55 

72.  Redhead,  head      .     ' 56 

73.  Canvas-back,  head 57 

74.  Scaup  Duck,  head 58 

75.  Golden-eye,  head 59 

76.  Buffle-head,  head 60 

77.  Old-squaw,  head 61 

78.  Harlequin  Duck,  head          .         .         .         .  .         .         .62 

79.  White-winged  Scoter,  head 63 

80.  Ruddy  Duck,  head 64 


xii  LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

81.  White-fronted  Goose,  head 66 

82.  Canada  Goose,  head 67 

83.  White-faced  Glossy  Ibis,  head     .                 71 

84.  Bittern,  head 73 

85.  Bittern,  foot 73 

86.  Green  Heron,  head ...  76 

87.  Sandhill  Crane,  foot     .                  79 

88.  California  Clapper  Rail .         .80 

89.  Virginia  Rail,  head      .                 80 

90.  Virginia  Rail,  foot 80 

01.  Carolina  Rail,  head 81 

92.  Yellow  Rail 82 

93.  Black  Rail 82 

94.  Florida  Gallinule 82 

95.  Florida  Gallinule,  foot 83 

96.  Coot 83 

97.  Coot,  foot "...  83 

98.  Red  Phalarope,  foot 84 

99.  Red  Phalarope 84 

100.  Northern  Phalarope 85 

101.  Avocet,  head .  86 

102.  Wilson  Snipe,  head 88 

103.  Long-billed  Dowitcher 89 

104.  Stilt  Sandpiper 90 

105.  Knot . 91 

106.  Pectoral  Sandpiper 91 

107.  White -rum  ped  Sandpiper     ....         0         ...  92 

108.  Baird  Sandpiper 92 

109.  Least  Sandpiper 92 

110.  Red-backed  Sandpiper 93 

111.  Semipalmated  Sandpiper 93 

112.  Western  Sandpiper 94 

113.  Sanderling 94 

114.  Sanderling,  foot  . 04 

115.  Marbled  Godwit v 95 

116.  Greater  Yellow-legs 96 

117.  Lesser  Yellow-legs 07 

118.  Solitary  Sandpiper .97 

119.  Black-bellied  Plover,  head .102 

120.  Killdeer,  head 104 

121.  Semipalmated  Plover,  head 104 

122.  Mountain  Plover 105 

123.  Surf  Bird .  106 

124.  Black  Turnstone,  summer  plumage 107 

125.  Black  Turnstone,  head,  winter  plumage 107 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS  xiii 

126.  Black  Oyster-catcher 107 

127.  Black  Oyster-catcher,  foot  . 107 

128.  Bob-white,  bill 108 

129.  Dove,  bill 108 

130.  Turkey  Vulture,  bill 109 

131.  Turkey  Vulture,  foot .  109 

132.  Sparrow  Hawk,  bill 109 

133.  Fish  Hawk,  foot 109 

134.  Owl,  bill 109 

135.  Saw- whet  Owl,  head 109 

136.  Western  Horned  Owl,  head 109 

137.  Kingfisher,  head 109 

138.  Kingfisher,  foot 109 

139.  Cuckoo,  foot 109 

140.  Cuckoo,  bill 110 

141.  Woodpecker  (Sphy rapicus) ,  bill 110 

142.  Woodpecker  (Sphyrapicus),  tail  . 110 

143.  Woodpecker  (Dryobates),  foot     .         .         .        .         .         .         .110 

144.  Woodpecker  (Picoides),  foot 110 

145.  Hummingbird,  bill 110 

146.  Swift,  bill .110 

147.  Nighthawk,  foot .         .         .        .         .         .'        .        .        .        .110 

148.  Swift,  foot 110 

149.  Song  Sparrow,  foot 110 

150.  Skylark,  bill 110 

151.  Horned  Lark,  foot 110 

152.  Flycatcher,  bill .         .111 

153.  Swallow,  wing     .......        r         ..  Ill 

154.  Sprague  Pipit,  foot Ill 

155.  Pipit,  foot Ill 

156.  Warbler  (Dendroica),  bill Ill 

157.  Black  and  White  Warbler,  foot Ill 

158.  Song  Sparrow,  bill Ill 

159.  Goldfinch,  bill   .  .        . Ill 

160.  Crossbill,  bill Ill 

161.  Longspur,  bill Ill 

162.  Evening  Grosbeak,  bill         .    - Ill 

163.  Scarlet  Tanager,  bill .111 

164.  Summer  Tanager,  bill Ill 

165.  Oriole,  bill .  112 

166.  Cowbird,  bill 112 

167.  Crow  Blackbird,  bill 112 

168.  Shrike,  wing  feathers .        .112 

169.  Loggerhead  Shrike,  head     .        . 112 

170.  Wren,  bill .  112 


xiv  LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

171.  Jay,  bill 112 

172.  Wren-Tit,  bill 112 

173.  Robin,  wing  feathers 112 

174.  Kinglet,  foot .        .112 

175.  Warbling  Vireo,  foot 113 

176.  Warbling  Vireo,  bill 113 

177.  Vireo,  tail    . 113 

178.  Gnatcatcher,  tail 113 

179.  Sage  Thrasher,  foot 113 

180.  Brown  Creeper,  bill     .         .        . 113 

181.  Brown  Creeper,  tail 113 

182.  Chickadee,  bill 113 

183.  Nuthatch,  bill 113 

184.  Sage  Grouse,  tail 113 

185.  Sharp-tailed  Grouse,  tail 114 

186.  Ptarmigan,  foot 114 

187.  Dusky  Grouse,  foot 114 

188.  Ruffed  Grouse,  foot 114 

189.  Mearns  Quail,  foot .        .114 

190.  Bob-white,  foot 114 

191.  Bob-white 115 

192.  Texan  Bob-white          .        .        . 116 

193.  Masked  Bob-white 116 

194.  Plumed  Partridge        .        .        . 117 

195.  Valley  Partridge,  female 120 

196.  Valley  Partridge,  male 121 

197.  Gambel  Partridge,  male 121 

198.  Gambel  Partridge,  female 121 

199.  Dusky  Grouse 124 

200.  Richardson  Grouse 126 

201.  Franklin  Grouse           .    " 126 

202.  Gray  Ruffed  Grouse 128 

203.  Southern  White-tailed  Ptarmigan        .    - 129 

204.  Prairie  Hen 130 

205.  Prairie  Sharp-tailed  Grouse 132 

206.  Sage  Grouse 133 

207.  Band-tailed  Pigeon 138 

208.  Mourning  Dove 140 

209.  White-winged  Dove .  142 

210.  Mexican  Ground  Dove .  143 

211.  Inca  Dove 143 

212.  Turkey  Vulture,  head 145 

213.  Fish  Hawk,  foot 146 

214.  Prairie  Falcon,  feather 147 

215.  Sparrow  Hawk,  bill 147 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS  xv 

216.  Swallow-tailed  Kite,  tail .  147 

217.  White-tailed  Kite,  foot .147 

218.  Audubon  Caracara,  bill 147 

219.  Mexican  Goshawk,  feather 147 

220.  Swallow-tailed  Kite 148 

221.  Mississippi  Kite 149 

222.  Sharp-shinned  Hawk .  ,      .         .  151 

223.  Cooper  Hawk 152 

224.  Goshawk 153 

225.  Sennett  White-tailed  Hawk,  primaries 155 

226.  Red-bellied  Hawk,  primary 155 

227.  Zone-tailed  Hawk,  tail 155 

228.  Red-tailed  Hawk 155 

229.  Zone-tailed  Hawk,  tail        ....                 ...  158 

230.  Swainson  Hawk 159 

231.  Rough-legged  Hawk 162 

232.  Ferruginous  Rough-leg 163 

233.  Golden  Eagle        ..........  164 

234.  Bald  Eagle 165 

235.  Duck  Hawk         .        .        . 167 

236.  Pigeon  Hawk .168 

237.  Sparrow  Hawk 170 

238.  Fish  Hawk 173 

239.  Barn  Owl,  foot 173 

240.  Barn  Owl .174 

241.  Saw-whet  Owl 175 

242.  Western  Horned  Owl,  head 175 

243.  Long-eared  Owl 176 

244.  Short-eared  Owl 177 

245.  Barred  Owl .178 

246.  Saw-whet  Owl,  head 180 

247.  Screech  Owl 182 

248.  Dwarf  Screech  Owl 185 

249.  Western  Horned  Owl,  head 186 

250.  Snowy  Owl 187 

251.  Hawk  Owl 188 

252.  Burrowing  Owl 189 

253.  Pygmy  Owl 190 

254.  Elf  Owl 191 

255.  Groove-billed  Ani 193 

256.  Road-runner 194 

257.  Yellow-billed  Guckoo 195 

258.  Black-billed  Cuckoo,  tail 196 

259.  Coppery-tailed  Trogon 197 

260.  Belted  Kingfisher 198 


xvi  LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

261.  Texas  Kingfisher .     199 

262.  Woodpecker  (Dryobates),  foot 200 

263.  Woodpecker  (Sphyrapicus),  bill 200 

264.  Woodpecker  (Dryobates),. bill 200 

265.  Woodpecker  (Picoides),  foot 200 

266.  Northern  Pileated  Woodpecker 200 

267.  Flicker .200 

268.  Northern  Hairy  Woodpecker       .         .        .  .        .        .     201 

269.  Harris  Woodpecker     .         .         . 202 

270.  Gairdner  Woodpecker .  ' .203 

271.  Texan  Woodpecker .        .         .204 

272.  Nuttall  Woodpecker .         .205 

273.  White-headed  Woodpecker 207 

274.  Arctic  Three-toed  Woodpecker  . 208 

275.  Alpine  Three-toed  Woodpecker .         .         .         .         .         .         .209 

276.  Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker 210 

277.  Red-naped  Sapsucker 211 

278.  Red-breasted  Sapsucker 211 

279.  Williamson  Sapsucker .     213 

280.  Northern  Pileated  Woodpecker  .         .         .         .        .         .         .214 

281.  Red-headed  Woodpecker     . 215 

282.  Ant-eating-  Woodpecker,  head 216 

283.  Lewis  Woodpecker .        .         .217 

284.  Red-bellied  Woodpecker,  head .218 

285.  Golden-fronted  Woodpecker,  head      .         .         .         .  .219 

286.  Gila  Woodpecker 219 

287.  Northern  Flicker . 220 

288.  Whip-poor-will,  head 223 

289.  California  Poor-will 224 

290.  Nighthawk,  foot 226 

291.  Nighthawk,  head 226 

292.  Nighthawk,  wing 226 

293.  Texas  Nighthawk,  wing 228 

294.  Swift,  tail  feather .        .         .229 

295.  Black  Swift -.        .        .229 

296.  Chimney  Swift .         .230 

297.  Vaux  Swift 231 

298.  White-throated  Swift 232 

299.  Lucifer  Hummingbird,  bill          .......     232 

300.  Calliope  Hummingbird,  tail 233 

301.  Anna  Hummingbird,  female,  tail         .         .         .         .         .         .     233 

302.  Black-chinned  Hummingbird,  tail       .         .         .         .         .         .233 

303.  Rivoli  Hummingbird 233 

304.  Blue-throated  Hummingbird 234 

305.  Ruby-throated  Hummingbird,  wing 234 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS  xvii 

306.  Ruby-throated  Hummingbird 235 

307.  Black-chinned  Hummingbird,  female,  tail                             „  235 

308.  Anna  Hummingbird,  female,  tail 236 

309.  Anna  Hummingbird,  male,  tail 236 

310.  Costa  Hummingbird 237 

311.  Anna  Hummingbird 237 

312.  Broad-tailed  Hummingbird,  outer  primaries       ....  238 

313.  Broad-tailed  Hummingbird,  male,  tail 238 

314.  Broad-tailed  Hummingbird,  female,  tail 239 

315.  Rufous  Hummingbird,  male,  tail 240 

316.  Rufous  Hummingbird 240 

317.  Allen  Hummingbird,  male,  tail .  241 

318.  Allen  Hummingbird,  female,  tail 241 

319.  Calliope  Hummingbird,  tail 241 

320.  Calliope  Hummingbird 242 

321.  Lucifer  Hummingbird 242 

322.  Broad-billed  Hummingbird .  244 

323.  Xantus  Becard 245 

324.  Kingbird 248 

325.  Arkansas  Kingbird,  wing  tip 248 

326.  Cassin  Kingbird,  wing  tip .        .249 

Crested  Flycatcher 
Wood  Pewee 


327.  Flycatchers 


Pho3be 


251 


Kingbird 

Least  Flycatcher 

328.  Flycatcher  (Myiarchus),  foot .         .251 

329.  Phoebe 254 

330.  Western  Black  Phoebe,  head 256 

331.  Flycatcher  (Contopus),  foot        .        .        .        .         .         .         .256 

332.  Olive-sided  Flycatcher 257 

333.  Coues  Flycatcher 257 

334.  Western  Wood  Pewee  . 258 

335.  Flycatcher  (Empidonax),  foot 259 

336.  Western  Flycatcher,  bill 259 

337.  Hammond  Flycatcher,  bill 259 

338.  Wright  Flycatcher,  bill .         .  259 

339.  Western  Flycatcher,  bill 260 

340.  Hammond  Flycatcher 262 

341.  Hammond  Flycatcher,  bill 262 

342.  Wright  Flycatcher,  bill 262 

343.  Horned  Lark,  head 266 

344.  Pallid  Horned  Lark 267 

345.  Blue  Jay 272 

346.  Rocky  Mountain  Jay,  head .        .277 


xviii  LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

347.  Oregon  Jay,  head 278 

348.  Crow,  bill 279 

349.  Clarke  Nutcracker 282 

350.  Bobolink,  tail 285 

351.  Bobolink,  head 285 

352.  Cowbird,  bill 285 

353.  Meadowlark,  head 285 

354.  Bronzed  Grackle,  bill 285 

355.  Oriole,  bill 285 

356.  Yellow-headed  Blackbird,  foot 285 

357.  Red-wing,  head 286 

358.  Bobolink 286 

359.  Cowbird 287 

360.  Red-winged  Blackbird 290 

361.  Meadowlark 292 

362.  Scott  Oriole 294 

363.  Arizona  Hooded  Oriole 296 

364.  Baltimore  Oriole .         . 297 

365.  Bullock  Oriole,  head 298 

366.  Brewer  Blackbird 300 

367.  Bronzed  Grackle 301 

368.  Redpoll,  wing 303 

369.  Crossbill,  bill '       .        .        .303 

370.  Western  Evening  Grosbeak,  bUl 303 

371.  Redpoll,  head 304 

372.  Snowflake,  head .        .        .304 

373.  McCown  Longspur,  tail        .        . 304 

374.  Pine  Finch,  head 304 

375.  Black-headed  Grosbeak,  head     .        .        .        .        .        .        .304 

376.  Western  Lark  Sparrow 304 

377.  Longspur,  foot 304 

378.  Vesper  Sparrow,  tail 304 

379.  Dickcissel,  head 305 

380.  English  Sparrow,  male 305 

381.  Pine  Grosbeak,  head 305 

382.  Pyrrhuloxia 305 

383.  Cardinal,  head 305 

384.  Arctic  Towhee 305 

385.  Slate-colored  Jujco,  head 305 

386.  Sparrow  (Aimophila),  wing 306 

387.  White-crowned  Sparrow 306 

388.  Green-tailed  Towhee,  head 306 

389.  Fox  Sparrow,  head 306 

390.  California  Towhee .306 

391.  Bunting  (Cyanoapiza),  bill 306 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS  xix 

392.  Song  Sparrow,  head 306 

393.  Western  Evening  Grosbeak          . 307 

394.  Pine  Grosbeak 308 

395.  California  Purple  Finch,  tail 310 

396.  Purple  Finch 311 

397.  Cassin  Pur,ple  Finch,  head  .        . 312 

398.  House  Finch,  male 812 

399.  House  Finch,  female .  312 

400.  Crossbill,  bill 313 

401.  White-winged  Crossbill 315 

402.  Gray-crowned  Leucosticte,  head .         .         .         .         .         .         .  315 

403.  Hoary  Redpoll     .         .         .         .        .         .         .        .         .         .318 

404.  Redpoll,  head 319 

405.  Goldfinch 321 

406.  Arkansas  Goldfinch,  adult 322 

407-  Arkansas  Goldfinch,  immature 322 

408.  Lawrence  Goldfinch 323 

409.  Pine  Finch 323 

410.  English  Sparrow,  male                  .......  324 

411.  English  Sparrow,  female .•  324 

412.  Snowflake 325 

413.  Lapland  Longspur,  summer  male        ......  326 

414.  Lapland  Longspur,  winter  male 326 

415.  Smith  Longspur,  summer  male    .         ...         .         .         .         .  327 

416.  Chestnut-collared  Longspur,  summer  male  .....  328 

417.  Chestnut-collared  Longspur,  winter  male 328 

418.  McCown  Longspur       .         .         . 328 

419.  Western  Vesper  Sparrow,  tail 329 

420.  Sandwich  Sparrow        .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .331 

421.  Large-billed  Sparrow .  833 

422.  Baird  Sparrow 333 

423.  Western  Grasshopper  Sparrow 334 

424.  Sharp-tailed  Sparrow,  tail 335 

425.  Harris  Sparrow     ...                 337 

426.  White-crowned  Sparrow       ........  338 

427.  Gambel  Sparrow,  head          . 339 

428.  Golden-crowned  Sparrow      ........  340 

429.  White-throated  Sparrow,  head 340 

430.  Western  Tree  Sparrow          ........  341 

431.  Western  Chipping  Sparrow,  head        ......  342 

432.  Brewer  Sparrow,  head          . .843 

433.  Worthen  Sparrow,  head 344 

434.  Black-chinned  Sparrow 345 

435o  Slate-colored  Juneo 846 

436.  Thurber  Jiraeo .348 


EC  LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

437.  Red-backed  Junco ...  349 

438.  Black-throated  Sparrow,  head 350 

439.  Sage  Sparrow,  head 352 

440.  Cassin  Sparrow 353 

441.  Rufous-winged  Sparrow,  head 354 

442.  Rufous-crowned  Sparrow,  head 354 

443.  Song  Sparrow,  head     ....  ....  356 

444.  Desert  Song  Sparrow 357 

445.  Mountain  Song  Sparrow .  357 

446.  Samuels  Song  Sparrow 358 

447.  Rusty  Song  Sparrow 358 

448.  Lincoln  Sparrow 359 

449.  Fox  Sparrow 361 

450.  Townsend  Sparrow 361 

451.  Thick-billed  Sparrow,  bill  .        .' 362 

452.  Slate-colored  Sparrow,  bill . 363 

453.  Stephens  Sparrow,  bill 363 

454.  Calif orniaTowhee 363 

455.  Towhee,  head 363 

456.  Towhee,  head 364 

457.  Arctic  Towhee 364 

458.  Spurred  Towhee .  365 

459.  Oregon  Towhee    . 365 

460.  California  Towhee,  head .  367 

461.  Green-tailed  Towhee,  head .         .  368 

462.  Cardinal,  head 369 

463.  Rose-breasted  Grosbeak 372 

464.  Black-headed  Grosbeak,  head 372 

465.  Bunting  (Cyanospiza),  bill 374 

466.  Dickcissel,  head 377 

467.  Scarlet  Tanager,  head .         .         . 379 

468.  Summer  Tanager,  bill 379 

469.  Scarlet  Tanager,  bill 380 

470.  Summer  Tanager,  bill 382 

471.  Barn  Swallow,  tail 382 

472.  Rough- winged  Swallow,  feather 382 

473.  Cliff  Swallow,  head 384 

474.  Barn  Swallow,  foot 385 

475.  Barn  Swallow 385 

476.  White-bellied  Swallow 386 

477.  Bank  Swallow 386 

478.  Rough-winged  Swallow,  feather 387 

479.  Rough-winged  Swallow,  head 387 

480.  Cedar  Waxwing 389 

481.  Phainopepla 390 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS  xxi 

482.  Shrike,  bill 391 

483o  Northern  Shrike 392 

484.  White-rumped  Shrike 392 

485.  Black-capped  Vireo,  head 394 

486.  Cassin  Vireo,  head 394 

487.  Red-eyed  Vireo,  head 394 

488.  Warbling  Vireo,  head  . 394 

489.  Red-eyed  Vireo,  head 395 

490.  Warbling  Vireo,  head 395 

491.  Cassin  Vireo,  head 396 

492.  Black-capped  Vireo,  head 397 

493.  Redstart,  bill 401 

494.  Red-faced  Warbler,  bill 401 

495.  Black  and  White  Warbler,  head .        .        .        .        .        .        .401 

496.  Black  and  White  Warbler,  foot 401 

497.  Warbler  (Helminthophila),  foot 401 

498.  Chat,  head 401 

499.  Northern  Parula  Warbler,  head  . 401 

500.  Warbler  (Dendroica),  bill 401 

501.  Black  and  White  Warbler,  head .402 

502.  Calaveras  Warbler,  head 402 

503.  Calaveras  Warbler,  head .404 

504.  Northern  Parula  Warbler,  head 406 

505.  Warbler  (Dendroica),  foot 407 

506.  Blackburnian  Warbler,  head 407 

507.  Yellow  Warbler,  head .        .407 

508.  Magnolia  Warbler,  head 408 

509.  Olive  Warbler 408 

510.  Black-throated  Blue  Warbler,  head 408 

511.  Black-throated  Gray  Warbler,  head 408 

512.  Hermit  Warbler,  head 408 

513.  Black-throated  Green  Warbler,  head 408 

514.  Golden-cheeked  Warbler,  head 408 

515.  Townsend  Warbler,  head 408 

516.  Black-poll  Warbler,  head 409 

517.  Yellow-rumped  Warbler,  head 409 

518.  Chestnut-sided  Warbler,  head 409 

519.  Olive  Warbler 410 

520.  Yellow  Warbler,  head 411 

521.  Black-throated  Blue  Warbler,  head 412 

522.  Yellow-rumped  Warbler,  head 412 

523.  Audubon  Warbler 413 

524.  Magnolia  Warbler,  head 415 

525.  Chestnut-sided  Warbler,  head      .         .        .  -       .        .        .         .416 

526.  Black-poll  Warbler,  head 417 


xxii  LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

527.  Blackburnian  Warbler,  head 417 

528.  Black-throated  Gray  Warbler,  head    ......  419 

529.  Golden-cheeked  Warbler,  head 419 

530.  Black-throated  Green  Warbler,  head 420 

531.  Townsend  Warbler,  head 421 

532.  Hermit  Warbler,  head 421 

533.  Oven-bird,  head .         .423 

534.  GrinneR  Water-Thrush        .         .        .        .        .         .         .        .423 

535.  Macgillivray  Warbler,  head 425 

536.  Western  Yellow-throat,  head 425 

537.  Long-tailed  Chat 426 

538.  Wilson  Warbler,  head 428 

539.  Canadian  Warbler,  head .429 

540.  Redstart,  head     .        .        .        .         .        .        .        .  .429 

541.  Pipit 431 

542.  Pipit,  foot 431 

543.  Sprague  Pipit,  foot 432 

544  Water  Ouzel         .        .        . 432 

545.  Sage  Thrasher 433 

546.  Brown  Thrasher,  head 434 

547.  California  Thrasher,  bill ,434 

548.  Mockingbird,  head 434 

549.  Catbird,  head 434 

550.  Cactus  Wren 434 

551.  Canyon  Wren 434 

552=  Rock  Wren 434 

553.  Western  Winter  Wren 434 

554.  House  Wren,  head       . 434 

555.  Long-billed  Marsh  Wren,  head 434 

556.  Carolina  Wren,  head .  435 

557.  Sage  Thrasher 435 

558.  Eastern  Mocker 436 

559.  Catbird 437 

560.  Brown  Thrasher 433 

561.  Sennett  Thrasher 433 

562.  Curve-billed  Thrasher 439 

563.  Palmer  Thrasher 439 

564.  Bendire  Thrasher 440 

565.  Californian  Thrashe?  .                                 440 

566.  Leconte  Thrasher         .        . 441 

567.  Crissal  Thrasher  .                                          442 

568.  Cactus  Wren 442 

569.  Rock  Wren.        .        . !  443 

570.  Canyon  Wren 445 

571.  Carolina  Wren,  heail »        .                .  446 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS  xxiii 

572.  Vigors  Wren 447 

573.  Parkman  Wren .  448 

574.  Western  Winter  Wren 449 

575.  Brown  Creeper,  bill ...  451 

576.  Brown  Creeper,  tail 451 

577.  Calif  ornian  Creeper 452 

578.  Slender- billed  Nuthatch,  feather 453 

579.  White-breasted  Nuthatch,  feather 453 

580.  White-breasted  Nuthatch,  head  ....        0         ..  453 

581.  Red-breasted  Nuthatch,  head .  454 

582.  Plain  Titmouse 456 

583.  Bridled  Titmouse,  head 457 

584.  Chickadee,  head 457 

585.  Wren-Tit .  46C 

586.  Bush-Tit 461 

587.  Lloyd  Bush-Tit 462 

588.  Kinglet,  bill 463 

589.  Golden-crowned  Kinglet,  head    .                 463 

590.  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet,  head 464 

591.  Gnatcatcher,  tail 465 

592.  Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher,  head 465 

593.  Plumbeous  Gnatcatcher,  feather  .......  465 

594.  Black-tailed  Gnatcatcher,,  feather 465 

595.  Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher 465 

596.  Plumbeous  Gnatcatcher 466 

597.  Townsend  Solitaire 467 

598.  Wood  Thrush 469 

599.  Robin,  bill 472 

600.  Robiia 472 

601.  Bluebird      . 475 


INTRODUCTION. 


THE  classification,  nomenclature,  and  numeration  used  in  this 
book  are  those  of  the  A.  0.  U,  Check-List  of  North  American  Birds, 
except  that  modern  scientific  usage  has  been  followed  in  dropping 
the  possessive  form  in  the  vernacular  names  of  species,  as  Clarke 
nutcracker  and  Steller  jay,  instead  of  Clarke's  nutcracker  and  Stel- 
ler's  jay.  The  rulings  of  the  nomenclature  committee  of  the  Amer- 
ican Ornithologists'  Union  have  been  followed,  but  new  species  upon 
which  the  committee  has  not  yet  ruled  have  been  included  in  foot- 
notes under  their  proper  places. 

In  the  matter  of  authorities,  Ridgway's  Manual  of  North  Ameri- 
can Birds,  his  Hummingbird  paper,  and  Birds  of  North  and  Middle 
America  (Parts  I.  and  II.)  have  been  used  at  all  points  as  standard 
authorities,  and  the  substance  of  keys  and  descriptions  frequently 
quoted. 

In  the  general  treatment  of  species  various  authorities  have  been 
followed. 

General  Characters.  — These  summaries  of  technical  characters 
have  been  abridged  from  the  generic  descriptions  in  Parts  I.  and  II. 
of  Ridgway's  Birds  of  North  and  Middle  America,  his  monograph 
on  the  Hummingbirds,  and  Coues's  Key  to  North  American  Birds. 

Measurements.  —  The  measurements  have  been  taken  from  the 
second  edition  of  Ridgway's  Manual  of  North  American  Birds,  from 
Parts  I.  and  II.  of  North  and  Middle  America,  with  the  millimeters 
converted  into  inches,  and,  in  the  case  of  species  not  included  in 
these  books,  from  the  original  descriptions. 

Nest  and  Eggs.  —  Descriptions  of  nests  and  eggs  are  taken  mainly 
from  Bendire's  Life  Histories  of  North  American  Birds,  Ridgway's 
Manual,  second  edition,  The  Auk,  The  Condor,  The  Osprey,  The 
Nidologist,  The  Ornithologist  and  Oologist,  Goss's  Birds  of  Kansas, 
The  Biological  Survey  Records,  and  from  specimens  in  the  Bendire 
and  Ralph  collections  of  the  United  States  National  Museum. 


xxvi  INTRODUCTION 

Pood. — Food  notes  have  been  made  up  mainly  from  Bendire's 
Life  Histories,  Fisher's  Hawks  and  Owls  of  the  United  States,  Goss's 
Birds  of  Kansas,  and  the  records  of  the  Biological  Survey. 

Distribution.  —  The  distributions  have  been  compiled  from  the 
manuscript  maps  and  reports  of  the  Biological  Survey,  and  the  North 
American  Fauna,  (3)  San  Francisco  Mountain,  Arizona ;  (7)  Death 
Valley,  and  (16)  Mount  Shasta,  California;  (22)  Hudson  Bay;  (5) 
Idaho;  (21)  The  Queen  Charlotte  Islands,  British  Columbia;  and 
(14)  The  Tres  Marias  Islands,  Mexico;  TJie  A.  0.  U.  CJieck-List  of 
North  American  Birds;  Belding's  Land  Birds  of  California;  Bendire's 
Life  Histories  of  North  American  Birds;  Bruner's  Birds  of  Nebraska ; 
Bryant's  Birds  and  Eggs  of  the  Farallon  Islands;  Cooke's  Bird  Mi- 
gration in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  Birds  of  Colorado;  Fannin's 
Check- List  of  British  Columbia  Birds;  Goss's  Birds  of  Kansas;  Grin- 
nell's  Birds  of  the  Pacific  Slope  of  Los  Angeles  County;  Loonris's  Cali- 
fornia Water  Birds;  Macoun's  Catalogue  of  Canadian  Birds;  Mc- 
Gregor's Pacific  Coast  Avifauna;  and  Silloway's  Summer  Birds  of 
FlatJiead  Lake,  Montana;  together  with  local  lists  in  The  Auk,  The 
Bulletin  of  the  Cooper  Ornithological  Club,  The  Condor,  and  The 


Illustrations.  — The  new  heads  and  full  figures  of  birds  are  by 
Louis  Agassiz  Fuertes,  the  outlines  by  Miss  Franceska  Weiser,  the 
old  material  from  drawings  of  Louis  Agassiz  Fuertes,  Ernest  Thomp- 
son Seton,  Robert  Ridgway,  John  L.  Ridgway,  and  Frank  Bond, 
published  previously  by  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  the  Biological 
Survey,  The  Auk,  The  Osprey,  and  Houghton,  Mifflin  &  Company 
in  Birds  of  Village  and  Field  and  A-Birding  on  a  Bronco. 

COLLECTING  AND   PREPARING  BIRDS,  NESTS, 

AND  EGGS. 
BY  VBBNON  BAILEY. 

Collecting  Birds.  —  Our  present  knowledge  of  birds  and  their 
classification  has  come  from  a  study  of  specimens,  of  the  dead  bird 
in  the  flesh,  of  crops  and  stomachs,  stuffed  skins,  and  skeletons ; 
and  without  this  foundation  the  study  of  birds  would  not  have  its 
deep  interest  and  meaning  nor  its  practical  bearing  on  the  economy 
of  our  lives.  Even  our  enjoyment  of  the  birds  in  life,  their  beauty, 
song,  and  friendship,  would  be  far  less  than  it  is  without  the  un- 
derlying knowledge  of  their  life  history,  the  place  they  fill,  and 
their  importance  to  us. 


INTRODUCTION  xxvii 

Naturalist  collectors  are  far  from  being  the  ruthless  destroyers  of 
life  they  are  often  supposed  to  be.  It  is,  indeed,  those  who  collect 
the  birds,  study  them  most  deeply,  and  know  them  best,  who  are 
doing  the  most  for  their  protection.  Most  ornithologists  have  begun 
their  study  of  birds  by  making  private  collections,  and  have  turned 
the  knowledge  thus  gained  to  the  best  good  of  the  birds,  while  their 
collections  have  finally  gone  to  museums,  where  they  could  benefit 
the  greatest  number  of  students. 

In  most  museums,  it  is  true,  there  are  large  collections  of  bird 
skins,  often  hundreds  of  specimens  of  a  single  species,  showing 
every  shade  of  variation  due  to  age,  sex,  season,  moult,  and  wear  of 
plumage,  and  endless  geographic  variation  over  a  wide  range  of 
country ;  but  to  many  of  those  who  have  the  best  chance  to  study 
the  birds  in  life  these  collections  are  inaccessible. 

There  are  still  unknown,  rare,  and  little  known  species  of  birds 
that  must  be  obtained  before  our  knowledge  of  our  own  species  can 
be  approximately  complete  and  our  system  of  classification  firmly 
established.  But  the  more  immediate  and  pressing  question  before 
the  young  ornithologist  is  how  to  identify  the  obscure  species  and 
the  females  and  young  of  better  known  birds.  In  many  cases  the 
bird  must  be  shot  to  be  identified,  and  not  infrequently  it  must  be 
sent  to  some  large  museum  collection  for  comparison  for  satisfactory 
determination.  Collecting,  therefore,  has  not  only  a  legitimate  but 
fundamental  place  in  ornithology  as  a  scientific  study. 

Measurements.  —  It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  measurements 
are  not  infallible,  and  even  where  the  maximum  and  minimum  of  a 
series  are  given,  still  larger  or  smaller  specimens  may  be  found. 
In  many  cases  measurements  are  useless  in  determining  characters, 
but  in  others  they  are  the  all  important  differences  between  species 
and  subspecies.  The  total  length  is  the  most  variable  measurement, 
and  when  taken  from  a  skin  instead  of  a  bird  in  the  flesh  is  only 
intended  to  give  a  general  idea  of  the  size  of  the  bird.  In  quoting 
Mr.  Ridgway's  measurements  throughout  this  book  the  word 
'about'  has  been  omitted  from  his  lengths,  as  it  applies  to  all  length 
measurements.  Lengths  are  taken  from  the  birds  in  the  flesh,  if  not 
specifically  stated  to  be  from  skins.  All  measurements  in  the  book 
are  in  inches.  Wing,  tail,  bill,  and  tarsus  measurements  are  the 
important  ones  in  most  species,  especially  so  because  they  can  be 
taken  from  the  dry  skin  as  well  as  from  the  fresh  specimens.  Mea- 
surements should  be  taken  in  the  following  manner:  — 

Length.  —  From  tip  of  bill  to  tip  of  tail.     To  get  this  lay  the 


INTRODUCTION 

bird  on  its  back  on  a  rule  or  tape-measure,  with  neck  and  body 
straight. 

Wing.  —From  the  front  of  the  bend  of  the  wrist  joint  of  the 
wing  to  the  tip  of  the  longest  feather.  This  can  be  taken  with  either 
tape  or  dividers. 

Tail.  —  From  the  extreme  base  of  the  tail  to  its  tip.  To  get  this 
exactly  place  one  point  of  the  dividers  at  the  base  of  the  tail  be- 
tween the  two  middle  tail  feathers,  and  the  other  point  of  th« 
dividers  at  the  tip  of  the  tail. 

Bill.  —  From  edge  of  feathers  on  top  of  bill  to  tip 
of  bill.  When  it  would  be  necessary  to  part  the 
feathers  to  reach  the  base  of  the  bill  the  expression 
'  exposed  culmen '  is  used  for  the  mea- 
surement. 

Tarsus.  —  From  heel  joint  to  angle 
of  toe  with  tarsus.     If  this  is  difficult 
to  determine,  put  the  dividers  on  the  outside  and 
bend  the  toes. 

Middle  toe.  —  From  angle  of  tarsus  and  toes  to  base  of  claw,  the 
length  of  the  claw  not  being  taken  unless  specified. 

Such  measurements  as  length  of  toes,  depth  of  bill  at  base,  at 
nostril,  etc.,  and  relative  lengths  of  certain  feathers  and  spots  and 
markings  can  usually  be  taken  most  accurately  and  conveniently 
with  dividers. 

Making  bird  skins.  — For  making  bird  skins  a  few  simple  tools 
and  materials  are  needed,  —  two  sizes  of  scalpels  or  slender-bladed 
knives  for  skinning,  a  pair  of  stout,  sharp  scissors,  and  a  pair  of 
forceps,  some  powdered  arsenic  and  corn-meal,  cotton  (for  large 
species  tow),  a  round-pointed  needle,  thread,  and  labels. 

The  English  sparrow  is  a  good  bird  to  begin  with  and  practice  on 
until  skins  can  be  made  that  are  worth  keeping,  an  end  not  attained 
without  patient  and  painstaking  effort. 

Having  shot  a  bird,  examine  it  for  bloody  or  soiled  spots,  and 
sprinkle  any  that  are  found  with  corn-meal  or  fine  sand,  and  plug 
the  throat  with  cotton  to  keep  any  blood  or  liquids  from  coming  out 
and  soiling  the  feathers.  If  an  eye  is  broken  remove  it  with  the 
forceps,  and  fill  the  orifice  with  cotton  and  corn-meal,  to  prevent  the 
fluids  from  soiling  the  feathers  of  the  head.  To  keep  the  bird  from 
injury  until  you  can  skin  it,  make  a  paper  cornucopia,  and  after 
smoothing  the  feathers  drop  the  bird  in  bill  first ;  then  fold  together 
the  gaping  edges  of  the  cornucopia,  and  your  bird  will  carry  safely 
in  your  game-bag  or  hunting-coat  pocket. 


INTRODUCTION  xxix 

Skinning.  —  Place  the  bird  on  its  back  with  its  bill  to  your  left, 
and  part  the  feathers  along  the  breast  and  belly.  In  most  species  a 
strip  of  naked  skin  will  appear.  Holding  the  feathers'  back  with 
the  thumb  and  finger  of  the  left  hand,  cut  with  a  down  stroke  of  the 
scalpel  just  through  the  skin  from  about  the  middle  of  the  sternum 
back  to  the  vent.  Catch  the  edge  of  the  skin  at  one  side,  and  with 
the  end  of  the  scalpel  handle  or  your  fingers  work  it  back  from  the 
body  until  the  knee-joint  of  the  leg  appears,  sprinkling  in  plenty  of 
corn-meal  as  you  go  to  absorb  blood  and  juices  and  keep  your  fingers 
dry  and  the  feathers  from  sticking.  Cut  the  bone  at  the  knee-joint 
with  scissors  or  knife,  and  draw  it  up  out  of  the  flesh,  which  can 
be  cut  off  nearer  the  heel  and  left  fast  to  the  carcass.  Loosen  the 
skin  farther  back,  then  treat  the  other  side  in  the  same  manner,  fre- 
quently using  corn-meal. 

Then  turn  the  bird's  bill  from  you,  and  cut  across  below  the  tail 
to  the  bone,  and  either  unjoint  or  snip  the  bone  with  the  scissors 
just  in  front  of  the  base  of  the  quills,  keeping  the  forefinger  of  the  left 
hand  at  a  point  opposite  on  the  outside  as  a  guide  to  prevent  cut- 
ting the  skin,  and  work  the  skin  up  over  the  rump.  At  this  point 
a  small  hook,  suspended  in  front  and  hooked  into  the  bird's  rump, 
will  help  the  beginner,  but  he  will  soon  learn  to  hold  up  the  body 
between  the  tips  of  the  first  two  fingers  of  the  left  hand,  using  the 
thumb  and  third  or  little  finger  of  the  same  hand  to  draw  down  the 
skin  as  he  cuts  with  the  scalpel  in  the  right.  Work  the  skin  from 
the  edges,  being  careful  not  to  stretch  it.  As  the  wings  are  reached 
draw  them  back  out  of  the  skin  to  near  the  second  joint,  break  the 
first  bone  in  the  middle  and  remove  the  flesh.  Keep  the  body  well 
sprinkled  with  meal,  and  work  the  skin  carefully  down  over  the 
neck  to  the  head  until  the  ears  appear,  picking  them  out  rather 
than  cutting  them  off  ;  then  working  the  skin  along  mainly  with  the 
finger  nails  over  the  eyes  (cutting  the  transparent  membrane  without 
injury  to  the  lids),  and  carrying  it  down  to  the  base  of  the  bill. 

Next  remove  the  eyes  and  cut  off  the  base  and  lower  part  of  the 
skull,  which  can  be  done  so  as  to  leave  brains,  tongue,  and  fleshy 
part  of  mouth  attached  to  the  neck,  and  the  skull  and  bill  clean  and 
free  attached  to  the  skin.  If  any  bits  of  flesh  or  fat  have  been  left 
on  the  skin,  remove  them,  and  then  dust  dry  arsenic  over  the  inside 
of  the  skin,  fill  the  eye  sockets  with  pellets  of  cotton,  and  reverse 
the  skin  by  pushing  the  bill  carefully  back  through  the  neck.  With 
the  beginner  the  skin  will  become  dry  before  it  is  ready  to  be 
turned  back,  and  will  need  moistening,  but  after  some  practice  the 


xxx  INTRODUCTION 

whole  process  of  skinning  should  take  only  from  two  to  four  min- 
utes. 

As  soon  as  the  skin  is  turned  back,  the  feathers  should  be  smoothed 
and  arranged,  the  eyelids  adjusted,  and  the  edges  of  the  opening  of 
the  skin  laid  together  before  it  is  put  down. 

Stuffing.  —  For  the  sparrow,  take  a  short  thick  piece  of  cotton  — 
tow  for  large  birds  —  that  will  make  a  form  the  size  of  the  body 
that  has  been  removed  from  the  skin,  and  press  it  firmly  together 
with  the  fibers  all  one  way.  To  fill  the  skull  and  make  a  firm  neck, 
pinch  one  end  of  the  cotton  flat  and  double  it  over  twice,  holding  it 
firmly  after  each  time  between  the  thumb  and  finger  of  the  left 
hand.  Then  catch  the  hard  compact  point  of  cotton  between  the 
forceps  in  a  position  to  hold  it  securely  and  push  it  into  the  bird 
skin,  forcing  the  point  up  through  the  neck  and  base  of  the  skull, 
catching  it  again  with  the  left  thumb  and  finger  in  the  mouth  of 
the  bird.  Loosen  and  draw  out  the  forceps,  but  hold  the  cotton  in 
the  mouth  until  the  skin  is  drawn  back  and  adjusted  over  the 
stuffing,  and  superfluous  bits  of  cotton  removed  or  tucked  in. 

Then  draw  together  the  edges  of  the  skin  and  catch  with  a  couple 
of  stitches.  When  the  wings  have  been  put  in  place  under  the 
feathers  at  the  sides,  and  the  feathers  properly  arranged  and 
smoothed,  the  skin  is  ready  to  be  labeled  and  wrapped  in  a  thin 
film  of  cotton.  Then  the  bill  can  be  tied  shut  with  a  thread  and 
the  bird  laid  away  to  dry. 

A  beginner's  skins  are  often  greatly  distorted,  and  only  practice 
can  teach  the  correct  amount  of  cotton  to  use  and  its  proper  form 
and  proportions.  The  best  way  is  to  keep  in  mind  the  size  and 
form  of  the  bird's  body,  and  try  to  reproduce  them.  Be  careful  not 
to  make  bulging  or  weak  necks.  Leave  each  skin  straight  and 
symmetrical  when  put  away  to  dry,  and  each  feather  back  in  its 
original  place. 

Labeling.  —  Skins  should  be  fully  labeled  with  locality,  date,  sex, 
number,  and  collector's  name,  while  such  additional  data  as  color  of 
eyes,  bill,  feet,  or  any  parts  that  fade,  notes  on  breeding  or  locality 
where  taken,  stomach  contents,  etc.,  can  be  placed  on  the  back  of 
the  label  or  kept  in  a  catalogue  under  the  number  of  each  specimen. 


j  Collection  of  Vernon  Bailey. 

[_-a_<^c^kx«^_n^J^ 

sj  Washington,  D.  C.°      Mou      \^\    1902  Y.  B. 


Sexing.  —  To  determine  the  sex,  cut  through  the  side  of  the  ab- 
dominal wall,  push  away  the  intestines,  and  close  against  the  small 


INTRODUCTION  xxxi 

of  the  back,  if  the  bird  is  a  male,  you  will  see  the  two  oval,  usually 
light  colored  testes,  —  in  the  breeding  season  large  and  conspicuous, 
at  other  seasons  small,  and,  in  immature  specimens,  often  difficult  to 
find.  If  the  bird  is  a  female,  in  place  of  the  two  oval  bodies  there 
will  be  the  ovary,  a  mass  of  spherical  ovules,  large  or  small  ac- 
cording to  the  season,  and  often  obscure  in  immature  specimens. 
The  male  sign  is  Mars'  arrow  ( £),  the  female,  Venus'  mirror  (9). 

Collecting  and  preserving  eggs.  —  Egg  collecting  is  justifiable  only 
when  the  collector's  earnestness  of  purpose  warrants  the  sacrifice  of 
happy  bird  homes,  and  no  amount  of  pains  and  care  should  be 
spared  to  make  each  set  a  permanent  and  valuable  illustration  of 
the  life  history  of  the  species.  So  far  as  possible  only  complete 
sets  of  fresh  eggs  should  be  taken.  An  incomplete  set  is  of  sec- 
ondary importance,  and  eggs  in  which  incubation  is  advanced  are 
not  worth  troubling  with  unless  very  rare. 

The  first  step  is  to  identify  the  nest  positively,  which,  in  cases  of 
rare  species,  can  often  be  done  only  by  collecting  one  or  both  of  the 
birds.  Eggs  are  worse  than  worthless  if  there  is  any  question  of 
their  identity. 

The  next  step  should  be  to  photograph  the  nest  from  at  least  two 
points,  one  to  show  general  setting  and  one  at  closer  range  to  give 
detail  of  form  and  structure.  Then  notes  should  be  made  on  the 
position,  structure,  and  materials  of  the  nest,  the  actions  of  the  old 
birds,  and  the  manner  of  identification,  etc.  When  possible  the 
nest  should  also  be  collected. 

Each  egg  should  be  wrapped  in  cotton  and  each  set  packed  snugly 
in  a  wooden  box  with  plenty  of  cotton  for  carrying  home. 

The  tools  necessary  for  blowing  eggs  are  a  slender  blowpipe  and 
two  drills,  large  and  small,  which  can  be  bought  of  any  dealer  in 
naturalist's  supplies. 

For  drilling,  hold  the  egg  lightly  between  the  thumb  and  two 
fingers  of  the  left  hand,  and  placing  the  sharp  point  of  the  drill 
against  the  side  twirl  it  evenly  with  a  slight  pressure  until  it  sinks 
into  the  shell,  grinding  out  a  smooth  round  hole  which  points  down- 
ward, from  the  size  of  a  pin-head  in  a  fresh  sparrow's  egg  to  an 
eighth  of  an  inch  in  diameter  in  a  larger  or  partly  incubated  egg. 
In  much  incubated  eggs  it  is  often  necessary  to  make  a  much  larger 
opening.  A  fine  stream  of  air  should  be  forced  into  the  egg  without 
touching  the  blowpipe  to  the  opening,  and  the  contents  gently  forced 
out.  When  the  shell  is  empty,  with  mouth  full  of  water  blow  a 
stream  into  it  and  rinse  out  thoroughly,  afterwards  blowing  all  the 
water  out  and  laying  carefully  away  to  dry. 


xxxii  INTRODUCTION 

Incubated  eggs,  though  almost  at  the  point  of  hatching,  are 
made  by  experts  into  nearly  perfect  specimens.  Following  their 
methods,  drill  the  hole  and  then  coat  the  shell  with  flexible  collodion. 
After  removing  a  small  part  of  the  fluid,  if  the  egg  is  small,  insert 
a  solution  of  pepsin  or  of  chlorinated  soda,  —  Labarraque's  solution, 
—  and  let  the  egg  stand  for  a  few  hours,  after  which  blow  out  the 
softened  portion  of  the  contents.  Add  more  of  the  solution,  and 
let  the  eggs  stand  again,  keeping  on  until  you  have  emptied  the 
shell.  Large  eggs  may  be  treated  with  a  solution  of  caustic  potash, 
care  being  necessary  not  to  allow  the  alkali  to  touch  the  shell.  To 
prevent  accident  it  is  well  to  have  a  basin  of  water  near  in  which  to 
immerse  the  egg  if  necessary.  The  collodion  is  removed  after  the 
completion  of  the  work  by  the  use  of  ether. 

Each  set  of  eggs  and  each  nest  should  be  kept  in  a  box,  with  a  label 
something  like  the  following,  from  the  Bendire  and  Ralph  collection 
in  the  National  Museum  :  — 


A.  O.  U.  No. Scientific  name, 


Private  No Common  name,. 

Collector, 

Locality, 


Date, No.  of  Eggs  in  Set,. 

Identification, Incubation, 


NEST  :     Diameter, Depth, 

Composed  of  


Location,. 


Of  whom  and  when  received,. 


Nests    should  be  kept    in  boxes  to  fit  their  size.     Great  care 
should  be  taken  to  protect  them  from  moths  and  other  destructive 


INTRODUCTION  xxxiii 

insects,  as  not  only  wool  but  hair  and  all  other  animal  substances  will 
be  eaten  and  the  nests  ruined  if  they  are  not  well  looked  after.  The 
best  protection  for  a  nest  is  a  spray  of  a  solution  of  corrosive  sub- 
limate, which  can  be  used  in  a  common  atomizer,  —  with  a  warning 
red  label,  bearing  the  word  '  POISON.' 

NOTE-TAKING,  NOTE-BOOKS,  AND  JOURNALS. 

The  value  of  collections  is  increased  many  fold  by  the  field-notes 
which  accompany  the  specimens,  and  the  bird  lover  who  does  not 
collect  may  add  most  valuable  material  to  our  meagre  knowledge  of 
the  life  histories  of  our  birds. 

A  compact,  statistical  journal  may  be  made,  as  Mr.  Chapman1 
and  Mr.  Felger2  suggest  by  means  of  a  '  roll  or  time  book,'  or  any 
sheets  ruled  in  squares  in  pad  form  and  punched  along  the  sides  to 
fasten  into  a  cardboard  cover.  The  squares  should  be  used  for  daily 
records,  the  top  or  top  and  margin  being  used  for  headings,  such  as 
locality,  zone,  zonal  plants  and  trees,  slope  exposure,  temperature, 
condition  of  weather,  direction  and  force  of  wind,  amount  of  rainfall 
or  snowfall,  advance  of  vegetation,  new  insects  abroad,  indications 
of  mating  and  of  nest-building,  number  of  nests  found  with  eggs 
and  with  nestlings,  number  of  young  on  the  wing,  condition  of 
plumage,  stage  of  moult,  food,  food  habits,  stomach  contents  of 
specimens  taken,  time  spent  in  field,  number  of  birds  seen  in  flocks, 
number  seen  in  migration  flights. 

For  more  detailed  life  history  notes,  card  catalogues,  with  family, 
generic,  and  specific  divisions,  are  popular  with  many  ornithologists. 
A  convenient  form  of  field  journal  is  a  pad  punched  at  the  sides  to 
fit  into  a  stiff  cover,  each  sheet  to  be  devoted  to  a  species  so  that 
the  sheets  can  be  slipped  out  and  arranged  by  species,  alphabeti- 
cally. On  the  return  from  the  field  these  can  be  dropped  into  box 
manuscript  trays  and  arranged  by  the  check -list. 

LIFE  ZONES. 

The  physical  geographies  have  long  taught  the  division  of  the 
earth  into  life  zones,  from  the  arctic  to  the  tropical  regions,  with 
the  corresponding  vertical  divisions  from  the  tropical  base  of  equa- 
torial mountains  to  their  snow-clad  arctic  summits,  and  naturalists 
have  long  since  worked  out  the  distribution  of  animals  and  plants 

1  Handbook  of  Birds  of  Eastern  North.  America,  pp.  20-22. 
*  "  Plan  for  Recording  Field  Notes,"  The  Auk,  xix.  189-193. 


INTRODUCTION 

along  these  lines  in  Europe  and  eastern  North  America.  But  it  is 
only  within  recent  years  that  the  Biological  Survey  carried  on  by 
the  government  has  studied  the  old  familiar  generalizations  in  the 
western  states  in  detail  and  mapped  the  life  zones  of  the  United 
States  as  a  whole. 

The  generally  accepted  theory  that  the  distribution  of  mammals, 
birds,  reptiles,  insects,  and  plants  depends  on  temperature  has  been 
demonstrated  by  Dr.  Merriam  as  a  physical  law  that  "the  northward 
distribution  of  terrestrial  animals  and  plants  is  governed  by  the  sum 
of  the  positive  temperatures  for  the  entire  season  of  growth  and 
reproduction,  and  that  the  southward  distribution  is  governed  by 
the  mean  temperature  of  a  brief  period  during  the  hottest  part  of 
the  year."1  With  this  as  the  working  basis  he  has  divided  the 
United  States  into  three  parts,  having  the  northern  (Boreal),  south 
era  (Austral),  and  intermediate  (Transition)  climates  and  flora  and 
fauna.  By  subdivision  seven  zones  are  made,  known  as  Alpine, 
Hudsonian,  Canadian,  Transition,  Upper  Sonoran,  Lower  Sonoran, 
and  Tropical.  East  of  the  hundredth  meridian,  which,  broadly 
speaking,  is  the  dividing  line  between  the  eastern  or  humid  and 
western  or  arid  sections,  the  Austral  /one  is  known  as  Austral 
rather  than  Sonoran,  and  divided  into  Alleghanian,  Carolinian,  and 
Austroriparian  Faunas. 

The  Alpine  Zone  lies  above  the  limit  of  trees,  and  is  characterized 
by  dwarf  shrubs  and  plants,  the  polar  bear,  arctic  fox,  reindeer, 
the  snow  bunting,  snowy  owl,  ptarmigan,  pipit,  and  leucosticte. 

The  Hudsonian  Zone  is  marked  by  dwarfed  timber  along  "the 
northern  or  higher  parts  of  the  great  transcontinental  coniferous 
forest,.  .  .  stretching  from  Labrador  to  Alaska.  It  is  inhabited  by 
the  wolverine,  woodland  caribou,  moose,  great  northern  shrike,  pine 
bullfinch,  and  white-winged  crossbill."2  On  Mt.  Shasta  its  only  trees 
are  the  black  alpine  hemlock  and  white-barked  pine,  its  character- 
istic mammal  is  the  cony  (Ochotona),  and  its  characteristic  bird  the 
Clarke  crow.  It  is  also  frequented  by  the  sooty  grouse,  western 
goshawk,  Williamson  sapsucker,  rufous  hummingbird,  Oregon  jay, 
pine  siskin,  junco,  Audubon  and  hermit  warblers,  creeper,  red- 
breasted  nuthatch,  kinglets,  and  solitaire.3 

1  Merriam's  "  Laws  of  Temperature  Control  of  the  Geographic  Distribution  of  Ter- 
restrial Animals  and  Plants,"  National  Geographic  Magazine,  vi.  229-238. 

2  Merriam,  C.  Hart,  "Life  Zones  and  Crop  Zones  of  the  United  States,"  Bull.  No.  10, 
Biological  Survey  ;  "  Geographic  Distribution  of  Animals  and  Plants  in  North  America," 
Yearbook  of  the  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  1894. 

3  Merriam,  C.  Hart,  North  American  Fauna,  No.  16,  "  Result  of  a  Biological  Survey 


The  (lotted  parts  of  the  Sonoran  Zones  cast 
of  the  Great  Plains  indicate  the  v;estem  limit 
of  the  humid  divisions  of  these  Zones. 


LIFE  ZONES 

BY   C.    HART   MERRIAM 


INTRODUCTION  xxxv 

The  Canadian  Zone  comprises  "  the  southern  or  lower  part  of  the 
great  transcontinental  coniferous  forest."  It  is  the  zone  of  firs, 
spruces,  and  white  pines,  which  on  Mt.  Shasta  are  represented  by 
the  Shasta  fir  and  the  silver  pine.  One  of  its  characteristic  animals 
is  the  mountain  beaver,  and  it  has  also  the  porcupine,  pine  squirrel, 
bear,  wild  cat,  wolf,  and  other  mammals.  It  is  the  home  of  the 
crossbill,  Lincoln  sparrow,  and  Arctic  three-toed  woodpecker,  and 
frequented  by  birds  found  in  the  Hudsonian  zone,  such  as  tb.e  sooty 
grouse,  rufous  hummingbird,  siskin,  j uncos,  warblers,  kinglets,  and 
solitaire,  together  with  a  number  found  also  in  the  next  lower  zone 
(the  Transition),  such  as  the  white-headed,  hairy,  and  pileated 
woodpeckers,  nighthawk,  olive-sided,  Hammond,  Wright,  and  west- 
ern flycatchers,  Steller  jay,  Louisiana  tanager,  Macgillivray  war- 
bler, and  robin. 

The  Transition  Zone,  in  which  northern  and  southern  elements  of 
flora  and  fauna  often  overlap,  is  characterized  in  the  west  by  the 
yellow  pine  (Pinus  ponderosa),  several  species  of  oaks  and  manza- 
nita.  together  with  buck  brush  and  sage  brush.  Some  of  the  char- 
acteristic mammals  are  the  big  gray  pine  squirrel,  the  gray  fox, 
and  various  species  of  chipmunks,  spermophiles,  and  pocket  go- 
phers. Among  birds  there  are  the  western  wood  pewee,  Gfairdner 
woodpecker,  Lewis  woodpecker,  California  pygmy  owl,  green-tailed 
towhee,  pygmy  nuthatch,  red-breasted  sapsucker,  and  Brewer  spar- 
row, mixed  with  many  species  from  the  Upper  Sonoran,  the  zone 
below,  such  as  the  California  jay,  valley  quail,  California  wood- 
pecker, and  spurred  towhee. 

The  Upper  Sonoran  Zone  of  the  west  is  characterized  by  junipers, 
pinon,  and  various  oaks,  jack  rabbits,  cottontails,  five-toed  kangaroo 
rats,  and  several  species  of  wood  rats,  the  canyon  wren,  western  lark 
sparrow,  California  chewink,  and  California  bush-tit,  while  many 
Transition  zone  species  also  occur. 

The  Lower  Sonoran  Zone,  coming  next  above  the  Tropical  zone, 
is  the  zone  of  the  hot  valleys,  where  live-oaks,  mesquites,  and  creo- 
sote bushes  abound,  and  the  characteristic  mammals  and  birds  are 
the  four-toed  kangaroo  rat,  cotton  rat,  and  spotted  skunk,  the 
mockingbird,  nonpareil,  verdin,  pyrrhuloxia,  road-runner,  caracara, 
white-necked  raven,  phainopepla,  and  scaled  quail. 

of  Mt.  Shasta ;  "  North  American  Fauna,  No.  3,  "  Results  of  a  Biological  Sn»vey  of  San 
Francisco  Mountain  Region  and  Desert  of  the  Little  Colorado ;  "  "  The  Geographic  Dis- 
tribution of  Life  in  North  America,  with  Special  Reference  to  the  Mammalia,"  Proc. 
BioL  Soc.  Wash.  vii.  April,  1892,  1-64. 


xxxvi  INTRODUCTION 

Birds  are  naturally  less  restricted  to  zones  than  mammals  and 
plants,  and  in  the  field  the  question  of  correlating  them  to  zones  is 
rendered  difficult  by  the  modifying  conditions  which  complicate  the 
zones  themselves.  Local  conditions  are  constantly  being  met  which 
produce  a  change  of  temperature  within  a  zone,  resulting  in  the 
intrusion  of  a  tongue  of  a  higher  or  lower  zone.  Forest  fires 
make  an  artificial  change  in  zones,  a  Canadian  fir  forest  sometimes 
being  replaced  by  Transition  zone  chaparral.  Natural  modifying 
conditions  are  many,  and  not  always  so  patent.  Slope  exposure  is 
the  most  important.  If  a  ridge  runs  north  and  south,  its  southwest- 
ern slope,  which  receives  the  hot  afternoon  sun,  will  have,  we  may 
say,  a  Transition  zone  flora  and  fauna,  while  its  cold  northeast  slope 
will  have  a  Canadian  zone  flora  and  fauna.  A  cold  mountain 
stream,  on  the  other  hand,  will  bring  down  the  flora  and  fauna  of 
one  or  two  higher  zones ;  and  Canadian  and  even  Hudsonian  plants 
and  trees  bordering  such  a  stream  may  thrive  on  its  banks  in  the 
Transition  zone. 

So  many  other  modifying  conditions  are  found  that  the  determi- 
nation of  zones  is  a  complex  matter,  and  must  be  based  largely  on 
the  study  of  trees  and  shrubs,  as  they  are  the  most  stable  part  of  the 
life  of  a  region.  In  relating  the  flora  to  the  fauna  the  greatest  care 
should  be  taken  with  the  bird  life,  as  a  bird  can  at  will  change  his 
zone  by  a  few  hours'  travel.  Zonal  notes  should  always  be  accom- 
panied by  dates,  as  breeding  zones  alone  are  of  much  significance, 
.birds  wandering  widely  after  the  breeding  season.  The  Lewis 
woodpecker  is  a  striking  example  of  this,  for,  while  breeding  in 
Transition  zone,  after  the  breeding  season  it  wanders  up  into  Cana- 
dian and  down  even  into  Lower  Sonoran  zone  in  its  search  for 
mast.  Most  mountain  birds  that  do  not  migrate  to  the  south 
change  their  zones  in  this  way,  Canadian  zone  birds  being  found  in 
Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  in  fall  and  winter. 

MIGRATION. 

Many  birds  wander  widely  east  and  west  after  the  breeding  sea- 
son, and  some  even  go  north  for  a  short  distance.  With  many 
mountain  birds  the  wandering  movements  after  the  breeding  season 
amount  to,  a  vertical  migration.  Birds,  like  the  grouse  and  quail 
and  certain  species  of  juncos,  that  make  only  a  vertical  migration 
merely  come  down  from  the  snow-covered  mountains  into  the  warm 
valleys.  A  number  of  hummingbirds  perform  vertical  migrations 


INTRODUCTION  xxxvii 

between  their  first  and  second  broods,  following  the  seasons  of 
flowers  from  the  valleys  where  they  raise  their  first  broods,  to  the 
mountain  parks,  where  they  rear  a  second  family,  retreating  rapidly 
down  the  mountain  as  soon  as  the  frosts  kill  the  flowers. 

Among  land  birds  a  north  and  south  migration  is  not  as  vital  in 
the  west  as  the  east,  especially  for  the  seed-eaters,  for  the  lowland 
winters  are  so  mild  that  the  food  supply  is  not  as  extensively  de- 
stroyed as  in  the  east,  and  accordingly  a  much  larger  number  of 
birds  winter  in  the  valleys  of  the  western  states  than  in  the  eastern. 
But  while  the  western  north  and  south  migratory  movement  is  less 
striking,  the  absence  of  winter  birds  less  felt  than  in  the  east,  the 
vertical  migrations,  from  the  superior  height  of  the  mountains  and 
the  preponderance  of  the  mountain  ranges,  assume  great  impor- 
tance; and  accordingly,  while  the  total  winter  population  may  be 
large,  the  species  in  a  locality  will  be  markedly  different  in  summer 
and  winter. 

Careful  notes  should  be  taken  on  all  these  phases  of  the  migratory 
movements  to  ascertain  the  exact  migratory  habits  of  each  species 
of  bird,  and  the  character  of  the  bird  population  in  every  season. 

As  the  mildness  of  climate  which  lessens  the  impulse  to  south- 
ward migration  in  the  western  land  birds  does  not  affect  the  water 
birds  breeding  in  the  arctic  regions,  the  southward  migration  is 
found  in  full  force  along  the  coast.  At  suitable  points,  like  Mon- 
terey, vast  multitudes  of  birds  may  be  seen  passing  on  their  way 
from  the  arctic  regions  to  the  southern  seas,  and  migration  waves 
and  other  phenomena  studied  to  the  best  advantage.  Mr.  Loomis's 
observations  at  Monterey  have  thrown  a  great  deal  of  light  on  this 
most  interesting  subject,  and  demonstrated  the  richness  of  the  field 
for  future  investigations. 

ECONOMIC   ORNITHOLOGY. 

The  question  of  the  food  of  birds  assumes  peculiar  importance  in 
the  west  from  the  extent  of  the  fruit  industry,  and  the  consequent 
magnitude  of  the  depredations  of  insect  and  rodent  pests.  Birds  if 
left  to  themselves  keep  down  the  insect  life,  and  the  question  is  in 
each  case  if  the  harm  a  bird  does  in  eating  fruit  in  June  equals  the 
good  he  does  the  rest  of  the  year  in  eating  scale  insects  and  other 
pests  that  take  off  the  profits  of  fruit  growing.  As  it  is  a  matter  of 
statistics,  observers  should  make  careful  field  notes  on  what  birds 
are  actually  seen  eating,  and  especially  careful  records  of  the  stom- 


xxxviii  INTRODUCTION 

ach  contents  of  birds  shot.  When  these  cannot  be  determined  with- 
out microscopes  and  collections  of  insects  and  seeds  for  comparison, 
the  stomachs  should  be  sent  for  examination  to  Professor  F.  E.  L. 
Beal,  of  the  Biological  Survey,  Department  of  Agriculture,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.1  In  general  it  may  be  said  that  the  thousands  of 
stomachs  which  have  already  been  examined  have  shown  that  birds 
are  divided  into  three  classes,  — 

1.  Those  that  are  injurious  at  all  times,  as  the  three  accipitrine 
hawks,  which  live  mainly  on  small  birds,  game,  and  poultry. 

2.  Those  that  are  injurious  part  of  the  year  and  beneficial  the 
rest  of  the  time,  such  as  blackbirds  that  come  in  hordes  in  the  fall 
and  destroy  the  crops,  but  which  when  scattered  out  over  the  coun- 
try at  other  times  of  the  year  do  an  immense  amount  of  good  by  de- 
stroying injurious  insects. 

3.  Those  that  are  beneficial  at  all  times,  as  many  hawks  and  owls 
and  a  large  number  of  insectivorous  and  weed-seed-eating  birds. 

As  Professor  Beal  says:  "  If  crows  or  blackbirds  are  seen  in  num- 
bers about  cornfields,  or  if  woodpeckers  are  noticed  at  work  in  an 
orchard,  it  is  perhaps  not  surprising  that  they  are  accused  of  doing 
harm.  Careful  investigation,  however,  often  shows  that  they  are 
actually  destroying  noxious  insects ;  and  also  that  even  those  which 
do  harm  at  one  season  may  compensate  for  it  by  eating  noxious 
species  at  another.  Insects  are  eaten  at  all  times  by  the  majority  of 
land  birds,  and  during  the  breeding  season  most  kinds  subsist  largely 
and  rear  their  young  exclusively  on  this  food.  When  insects  are 
unusually  plentiful,  they  are  eaten  by  many  birds  which  do  not 
ordinarily  touch  them.  Even  birds  of  prey  resort  to  this  diet,  and 
when  insects  are  more  easily  obtained  than  other  fare,  the  smaller 
hawks  and  owls  live  on  them  almost  entirely.  This  was  well  illus- 
trated during  the  recent  plague  of  Rocky  Mountain  locusts  in  the 
western  states,  when  it  was  found  that  locusts  were  eaten  by  nearly 
every  bird  in  the  region,  and  that  they  formed  almost  the  entire 
food  of  a  large  majority  of  the  species."2 

1  The  Survey  will  furnish,  on  application,  blank  schedules  for  recording  data,  tags 
for  numbering  the  stomachs,  and  franked  envelopes  for  mailing.     When  collected,  the 
stomachs  (crops  and  gizzards)  should  be  placed  in  alcohol  or  formalin  for  at  least  a 
week.    Before  forwarding  to  the  department,  they  should  be  taken  from  the  fluid,  spread 
out  on  a  newspaper,  and  dried  for  several  hours,  then  placed  in  a  baking  powder  can  or 
cigar  box,  wrapped  with  a  franked  envelope  on  the  outside,  and  mailed.     The  collector 
will  be  reimbursed  for  the  outlay  for  alcohol,  and  will  receive  five  cents  apiece  for  a 
limited  number  of  stomachs  of  certain  species. 

2  Beal,  F.  E.  L.,  "  Some  Common  Birds  in  their  Relation  to  Agriculture,"  Farmer's 
Bulletin,  No.  54,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture. 


INTRODUCTION  xxxix 

As  birds  are  the  check  nature  has  put  upon  insect  life,  the  pro- 
blem is  a  grave  one.  How  shall  we  profit  by  the  good  offices  of 
the  birds,  and  prevent  the  injury  they  in  turn  are  capable  of  doing 
to  our  crops  ? 

In  the  east  Professor  Beal  has  found  that  birds  as  a  rule  prefer 
wild  fruit  to  cultivated,  and  are  drawn  away  from  the  orchard  and 
garden  by  the  cultivation  of  wild  fruit-bearing  bushes.  In  parts  of 
the  west  the  mulberry  and  elder  and  pepper  are  favorite  bird  foods, 
and  might  be  useful  for  such  purposes.  The  question  is  a  large  one, 
however,  and  can  only  be  settled  by  patient  study  and  investiga- 
tion on  the  part  of  earnest  bird  students. 

BIRD  PROTECTION. 

BY  T.  S.  PALMER. 

Laws  for  the  protection  of  birds  are  necessary  even  in  sparsely 
settled  regions.  No  place,  however  remote,  is  beyond  the  reach  of  the 
market  hunter,  provided  a  demand  for  game  or  feathers  for  millinery 
purposes  exists,  and  prices  are  sufficient  to  warrant  capture  of  the 
birds.  Game  birds  have  been  shipped  by  thousands  from  the  states 
beyond  the  Missouri  River;  pelicans,  terns,  and  gulls  have  been 
decimated  along  the  gulf  coast  of  Texas;  and  grebes  have  been 
slaughtered  on  their  breeding  grounds  on  distant  lakes  in  the  interior 
of  Oregon,  —  all  to  supply  eastern  markets.  To  meet  such  conditions 
every  western  state  and  territory  now  has  its  game  law ;  but  few 
of  these  laws  protect  all  the  birds  within  the  state,  and  several  of 
them  are  capable  of  being  improved  and  made  much  more  effective. 

From  the  legislative  standpoint  birds  may  be  divided  into  three 
categories :  (1)  Game  birds,  such  as  quail  and  ducks,  which  are 
hunted  at  stated  seasons  for  food  or  sport.  (2)  Non-game  birds,  such 
as  thrushes  and  gulls,  which  are  valuable  as  insect  destroyers  or 
scavengers,  and  hence  are  protected  throughout  the  year.  (3)  Inju- 
rious species,  such  as  the  English  sparrow  and  the  great  horned 
owl,  which  are  given  no  protection.  Under  the  definition  framed 
by  the  Committee  on  Protection  of  Birds  of  the  American  Orni- 
thologists' Union,  game  birds  are  restricted  to  four  or  five  well 
marked  groups  :  the  Anatidse,  comprising  ducks,  geese,  and  swans ; 
the  Rallidse,  including  rails,  coots,  and  gallinules  ;  the  Limicolae,  or 
shore  birds  in  general ;  the  Gallinse,  including  quails,  pheasants, 
grouse,  and  wild  turkeys ;  and  (in  some  states)  the  Columbse,  in- 
cluding wild  pigeons  and  doves.  All  other  birds  are  classed  as 


xl  INTRODUCTION 

non-game  birds,  and  the  few  injurious  species  are  mentioned  by 
name.  Such  a  division  provides  for  all  the  birds,  leaves  no  ambigu- 
ity as  to  which  may  be  killed  as  game,  and  defines  each  group  in 
the  simplest  and  most  satisfactory  manner.  A  game  law  framed  on 
this  basis  has  been  adopted  with  excellent  results  in  some  states, 
but  in  the  west  is  still  an  ideal  toward  which  to  work  rather  than 
an  accomplished  fact.  California,  Colorado,  and  Nebraska  have 
excellent  laws  for  game  birds,  but  they  do  not  provide  equally  well 
for  insectivorous  species.  Nevada,  New  Mexico,  and  Wyoming 
have  comprehensive  statutes  for  non-game  birds,  but  do  not  afford 
complete  protection  to  all  their  game  birds. 

Game  Birds.  —  Experience  has  shown  that  a  modern  game  law 
must  do  much  more  than  merely  prohibit  the  killing  of  certain  spe- 
cies at  stated  times.  It  must  regulate  methods  of  hunting,  restrict 
shipment  and  sale,  and  also  prescribe  means  for  carrying  its  pro- 
visions into  execution.  It  should  contain  the  declaration  that  all 
wild  birds  and  animals  are  the  property  of  the  state.  This  fact, 
based  on  the  decisions  of  the  highest  courts,  is  now  generally  ac- 
cepted, but  it  is  well  to  have  it  incorporated  in  the  law,  as  is  the 
case  in  the  game  laws  of  Colorado,  Texas,  and  other  states.  Next  in 
importance  is  a  comprehensive  definition  of  game  birds  like  that 
given  above.  Another  important  point  not  fully  appreciated  is  that 
a  law  which  prohibits  killing  certain  species  is  much  less  effective 
and  permanent  than  one  which  simply  permits,  by  declaring  that  it 
shall  be  unlawful  to  kill  or  have  in  possession  '  any  birds  except  as 
hereinafter  provided.'  This  simple  statement  renders  the  law  to  a 
certain  extent  automatic,  since  all  birds  will  be  protected  until  pro- 
vided with  an  open  season.  Changes  in  season,  the  bane  of  game 
legislation,  cannot  be  made  so  readily  without  attracting  attention, 
and  if,-  as  often  happens,  a  proposed  change  in  season  fails  of  enact- 
ment, the  species  is  left  with  complete  protection  instead  of  being 
without  protection  as  under  the  old  method.  Little  need  be  said  as 
to  seasons  except  that  they  should  conform  as  nearly  as  possible  to 
those  of  adjoining  states.  With  improved  guns,  smokeless  powder, 
and  other  modern  appliances  for  hunting,  no  state  can  afford  to 
maintain  an  open  season  from  the  time  the  birds  are  mature  until 
they  begin  to  breed  the  following  year,  for  no  species  can  withstand 
such  an  ordeal  and  not  be  locally  exterminated  in  a  few  years.  Open 
seasons  are  constantly  growing  shorter,  and  as  they  undergo  change 
should  be  shifted  to  correspond  more  and  more  closely  with  those  of 
other  states.  Above  all,  spring  shooting  should  be  abolished,  and 


INTRODUCTION  xli 

the  close  season  begin  as  near  the  first  of  January  as  possible.  Big 
guns  are  very  properly  made  illegal,  and  an  unsuccessful  attempt 
was  recently  made  in  California  to  prevent  the  use  of  magazine  or 
'  pump  guns,'  on  the  ground  that  they  were  too  destructive.  The 
same  might  be  said  of  the  air  gun  or  parlor  rifle,  which  in  the 
hands  of  the  reckless  small  boy  is  not  only  an  effective  but  a  dan- 
gerous weapon  of  destruction.  Night  hunting  in  all  its  forms,  bait- 
ing, pursuing  game  with  launches  or  even  sailboats,  are  condemned 
by  true  sportsmen,  and  should  all  be  prohibited.  Trapping  and 
netting  should  likewise  be  made  illegal,  but  with  some  provision  for 
taking  a  reasonable  number  of  birds  for  propagation  under  the  super- 
vision of  competent  state  officers.  Restrictions  on  the  trade  are 
becoming  more  general  and  more  necessary  every  year.  Prohibition 
of  shipment  out  of  the  state  is  effective  if  it  can  be  enforced,  and  it 
can  be  made  easier  to  enforce  if  transportation  of  all  game  for  market 
purposes  is  prohibited,  as  is  done  in  Iowa  and  Texas,  but  with  some 
provision  for  carrying  a  limited  amount  of  game  for  private  pur- 
poses. Sale  is  the  keynote  to  the  situation,  and  if  it  can  be  pro- 
hibited the  question  of  protection  will  be  greatly  simplified.  It  is 
now  prohibited  in  a  number  of  states,  and  probably  the  day  is  not 
far  distant  when  most  if  not  all  game  birds  will  be  withdrawn  from 
sale. 

Non-game  Birds.  —  Even  more  important  than  laws  for  the  pro- 
tection of  game  birds  (because  applying  to  a  much  larger  number 
of  species)  are  the  statutes  for  the  preservation  of  birds  which  are 
not  game,  and  which  apply  to  '  song,'  'insectivorous/  and  '  plume' 
birds.  In  order  to  accomplish  their  purpose  they  must  be  compre- 
hensive, and  as  already  stated  they  should  cover  all  birds  except 
game  birds  and  a  few  injurious  species  mentioned  by  name.  If 
made  applicable  to  certain  species,  or  even  to  song,  insectivorous,  or 
plume  birds,  some  species  are  sure  to  be  omitted,  and  often  these 
will  be  the  very  ones  most  in  need  of  protection.  Not  only  killing, 
but  also  nest  robbing,  trapping,  possession,  shipment,  and  sale 
should  be  prohibited.  The  traffic  in  cage  birds,  unless  checked  by 
strict  regulations,  may  sometimes  decimate  certain  species,  particu- 
larly those  distinguished  for  their  vocal  powers  or  bright  colors.  A 
provision  prohibiting  possession  of  plumage  or  '  any  part  of  a  bird  ' 
is  necessary  to  prevent  sale  of  birds  for  millinery  purposes,  and 
overcome  the  objection  which  is  sometimes  raised  that  prohibitions 
against  the  killing  and  possession  of  a  bird  do  not  apply  to  its 
plumage  or  to  one  of  its  wings  when  used  as  a  hat  decoration. 


xlii  INTRODUCTION 

On  the  other  hand,  provision  must  be  made  for  collecting  birds 
for  scientific  purposes,  both  for  educational  institutions  and  for 
private  collections,  and  also  for  keeping  birds  in  captivity  for  study 
or  as  pets.  These  requirements  can  readily  be  met  by  having  per- 
mits issued  under  the  supervision  of  some  state  officer  to  properly 
accredited  collectors  and  students.  In  case  it  is  desirable  to  allow 
certain  birds  to  be  kept  in  captivity,  sale  and  shipment  out  of  the 
state  should  be  prohibited  in  order  to  avoid  abuse  of  the  privilege 
and  prevent  wholesale  bird-trapping  for  market.1 

Injurious  Species.  — In  every  state  there  are  a  few  injurious  spe- 
cies from  which  protection  should  be  withdrawn.  In  general  these 
species  comprise  the  English  sparrow,  great  horned  owl,  goshawk, 
duck  hawk,  sharp-shinned  hawk,  Cooper  hawk,  crow,  linnet  or 
house  finch,  and  occasionally  some  of  the  blackbirds.  Sweeping 
provisions  excluding  hawks  and  owls  from  protection  should  be 
carefully  avoided,  as  most  of  the  species  are  beneficial,  and  a  clause 
covering  birds  of  prey  in  general  without  naming  the  injurious 
species  will  result  chiefly  in  the  destruction  of  those  which  are  bene- 
ficial. It  is  useless  to  attempt  anything  more  by  legislation  than 
simple  removal  of  protection.  No  means  have  yet  been  devised  by 
which  an  injurious  species  can  be  legislated  out  of  existence,  and  the 
various  methods  which  have  been  advocated  have  almost  uniformly 
resulted  in  failure.  Bounties  for  birds  and  eggs  have  little  effect 
except  to  drain  the  state  or  county  treasury.  The  Colorado  hawk 
bounty,  which  was  in  force  from  1877  to  1885,  seems  to  have  re- 
sulted chiefly  in  the  diminution  of  the  sparrow  hawk,  one  of  the 
most  useful  birds  in  destroying  grasshoppers.  The  Utah  bounty  on 
English  sparrows,  in  force  since  1888,  has  not  exterminated  the  spar- 
row in  the  state,  and  the  provision  of  1896,  offering  five  cents  per 
dozen  for  eggs,  must  have  resulted  disastrously  to  the  native  birds, 
for  a  year  or  two  after  it  went  into  effect  reports  showed  that  in 
Weber  County  alone  payments  had  been  made  on  990  dozen  (nearly 
12,000)  eggs,  while  during  the  same  period  only  640  sparrows  had 
been  presented  for  bounty.  The  sparrow  bounties  in  Illinois  and 
Michigan  and  the  hawk  and  owl  bounty  in  Pennsylvania  all  failed 
to  accomplish  their  objects,  although  each  cost  the  state  from 
$50,000  to  $100,000.  The  expense  attending  bounty  legislation  can 
be  readily  illustrated  by  the  records  of  payments  for  coyotes  and 

1  The  bill  prepared  by  the  Committee  on  Protection  of  Birds  of  the  American  Orni- 
thologists' Union  covers  all  of  these  points.  See  "  Legislation  for  the  Protection  of 
Birds  other  than  Game  Birds,"  Bulletin  No.  12,  Biological  Survey ,  U.  S.  Dept.  Agricul- 
ture, pp.  56-60, 1902. 


INTRODUCTION  xliii 

wolves  in  Wyoming,  Montana,  and  California.  The  coyote  bounty 
law  in  California  remained  in  force  only  four  years,  but  actually  cost 
the  state  $187,485,  while  the  claims  filed  aggregated  about  $400,000.! 
In  the  west  bounties  on  birds  are  now  paid  only  in  Utah  and  Oregon, 
and  in  the  latter  state  are  restricted  to  cormorants  and  sheldrakes. 

Enforcement.  —  The  enforcement  of  game  laws  depends  largely  on 
public  sentiment.  Although  most  of  the  western  states  have  game 
wardens,  the  laws  are  not  enforced  as  they  should  be.  Better  results 
are  attained  where  local  wardens  are  under  the  authority  of  a  state 
officer  or  state  board.  Unfortunately  the  liberal  appropriations  neces- 
sary to  meet  the  expenses  incident  to  warden  service  are  not  often 
available,  but  game  protection  might  be  made  almost  self-support- 
ing if  the  money  derived  from  licenses,  fines,  sale  of  contraband 
game,  and  similar  sources,  were  all  turned  into  a  state  game  pro- 
tection fund  instead  of  going  into  several  different  funds,  no  one  of 
which  is  available  for  work  of  this  kind. 

A  potent  influence  in  bird  protection  is  the  federal  law  popularly 
known  as  the  Lacey  Act,  which  went  into  effect  on  May  25,  1900. 
Under  this  act  interstate  commerce  in  birds  killed  in  violation  of 
local  laws  is  prohibited,  and  through  cooperation  between  federal 
and  state  authorities  statutes  which  were  formerly  dead  letters  are 
now  being  enforced.  The  chief  value  of  the  law,  however,  lies  in 
the  interest  in  protection  which  it  has  aroused  throughout  the  coun- 
try even  among  persons  who  formerly  gave  the  subject  no  thought. 
Largely  through  its  influence  game  protection  is  now  being  estab- 
lished on  broader  lines,  rapid  progress  is  being  made  in  legislation, 
and  the  laws  are  better  observed  than  ever  before. 

1  See  Palmer,  "Extermination  of  Noxious  Animals  by  Bounties,"  Yearbook  Dept. 
Agr.  for  1896,  pp.  55-68. 


Zliv  INTRODUCTION 

BOOKS  OF  REFERENCE.1 

GENERAL  WORKS. 

AMERICAN  ORNITHOLOGISTS'  UNION.     Check-List   of    North  American 

Birds.     Third  Edition  (1910). 

AUDUBON,  JOHN  JAMBS.     Birds  of  America.  —  Ornithological  Biography. 
BAIRD,  SPENCER  F.     Review  of  American  Birds.     Smithsonian  Mis.  Col. 

1864-1866  ;  U.  S.  and  Mexican  Boundary  Survey,  vol.  ii.  part  ii.  1859. 
BAIRD,  S.  F..  CASSIN,  J.,  and  LAWRENCE,  G.  N.    Pacific  R.  R.  Reports, 

vol.  ix.,  Birds,  1858. 
BAIRD,  S.  F.,  BREWER,  T.  M.,  and  RIDGWAY,  R.    History  of  North 

American  Birds.     Little,  Brown   &   Co.,  Boston,  3  vols.,  Land  Birds, 

1874;  2  vols.,  Water  Birds,  1884. 
BEDDARD,  F.  E.     Study  and  Classification  of  Birds.     Longmans,  Green  & 

Co.,  New  York,  1898. 

BENDIRE,  CHARLES  E.    Life  Histories  of  North  American  Birds.     Smith- 
sonian Institution,  2  vols.  1892,  1895.     (Land  birds  through  Icteridae.) 
CASSIN,  J.     Illustrations  of  the  Birds  of  Texas,  California,  etc.,  1853, 1855, 

1856. 

COOPER,  J.  G.,  and  STTCKLEY,  G.    Pacific  R.  R.  Report,  vol.  xii.  No.  ii.  1860. 
COUES,  ELLIOTT.     Bibliography  of  Ornithology,  Part  i.,  Faunal  Papers, 

Appendix  to  Birds  of  Colorado  Valley,  566-784,   1878  ;   Parts  ii.  and 

iii.,  Systematic  Papers,  Bull.  Geol.  and  Geog.  Surv.  Terr.,  Hayden,  vol. 

v.  Nos.  2  and  4,  1879  ;  Part  iv.,  Faunal  Papers  on  British  Birds,  Proc. 

U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  vol.  ii.  for  1879.  —  Birds  of  the  Colorado  Valley,  U.  S. 

Geol.  Surv.  Terr.  1878.  —  Birds  of  the  Northwest,  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv. 

Terr.  1874.  —  Key  to  North  American  Birds,  5th  ed.,  Dana  Estes  &  Co., 

1903. 
EVANS,  A.   H.     Cambridge  Nat.  Hist.,  vol.  ix.,  Birds.     Macmillan  Co., 

New  York,  1899. 
FISHER,  A.  K.    Rept.  Orn.  Death  Valley  Exped.,  N.  A.  Fauna  No.  7, 

1893.    U.  S.  Dept.  Agr. 
HEERMAN,  A.  L.    Pacific  R.  R.  Rept.,  vol.  x.  part  iv.  Nos.  i.  and  ii.,  Birds, 

1859. 
HENSHAW,  H.  W.     Rept.  Orn.  Spec.,  Wheeler's  Surv.  for  the  Years  1871, 

1872,  and  1873.  — Exp.  West  Hundredth  Meridian,  vol.  v.  chap.  iii.  Zo- 
ology, 1875. 

KENNERLY,  C.  B.  R.    Pacific  R.  R.  Rept.,  vol.  x.  No.  3,  Birds,  19,  1859. 
MERRIAM,  C.  H.    Mammals  and  Birds.     6th  Ann.  Rept.  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv. 

Terr.  1872. 
NELSON,  E.  W.    Rept.  Nat.  Hist.  Coll.  Alaska  Arct.  Sep.,  No.  iii.  part  i., 

Birds,  1877. 
NEWTON,  ALFRED.     Dictionary  of  Birds.     Macmillan  Co.,  New  York,  4 

vols.,  1893-1896. 
RIDGWAY,  ROBERT.    Birds  of  North  and  Middle  America.    Bull.  No.  50, 

U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  1901,  1902.  —  Hummingbirds,  Ann.  Rept.  U.  S.  Nat. 

Mus.  1890,  sec.  iii.  253.  —  Nomenclature   of  Colors,  Little,  Brown  & 

Co.,  Boston,  1896. — Manual  of  North  American  Birds,  J.  B.  Lippin- 

cott  Co.,  Philadelphia,  2d  ed.  1896.  — Ornithology  of   Survey  of  40th 

Parallel,  U.  S.  Geol.  Expl.,  part  iii.  1877. 
STEJNEGER,  L.,  and  Others.     Riverside  Natural  History,  vol.  iv.,  Birds, 

(1885.)    Houghton,  Mifflin  &  Co.,  Boston. 

1  For  additional  books  of  reference  see  Addenda,  p.  537. 


INTRODUCTION  xlv 

TOWNSBND,  C.  H.     Notes  on  Birds  of  Kowak  River,  and  other  portions  of 

Alaska,  Cruise  of  the  Corwin,  1885. 

TURNER,  L.  M.     Contr.  to  Nat.  Hist.  Alaska,  Arctic  Ser.  No.  ii.  1886. 
WOODHOUSE,  S.  W.     Rept.  Sitgreaves  Exped.  Zufti  and  Colo.  Rivers,  1853. 

PERIODICALS. 
AMERICAN  FIELD.     American  Field  Publishing  Company,  801  Masonic 

Temple,  Chicago. 
AUK,  THE.     For  subscriptions  and  Index  to  Bull.  Nutt.  Orn.  Club  and 

Auk,  Vols.  I-XVII  (1876-1900),  address  Dr.  Jonathan  Dwight,  Jr.,  134 

West  71st  St.,  New  York. 

BiRD-LoRE.     D.  Appleton  &  Co.,  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
BULLETIN  OF  THE  COOPER  ORNITHOLOGICAL  CLUB.     (See  Condor.) 
BULLETIN  OF  THE  NUTTALL  ORNITHOLOGICAL  CLUB.     Cambridge,  Mass., 

1876-1883.     (See  Auk.) 
CONDOR,  THE.     For  subscriptions  and   Index  to  Vols.  I-X  (1900-1908) 

address  J.  Eugene  Law,  Hollywood,  California  (vol.  i.  published  as  Bull. 

Cooper  Orn.  Club). 

FOREST  AND  STREAM.     127  Franklin  St.,  New  York. 
NIDOLOGIST,  THE.     Alameda,  California,  1893-1896. 
ORNITHOLOGIST  AND  OOLOGIST.    Hyde  Park,  Mass.,  1881-1892. 
OSPREY,  THE.     Washington,  D.  C.,  Sept.,  1896-July,  1902. 
PROCEEDINGS  CALIFORNIA  ACADEMY  OF  SCIENCES.     Cal.  Acad.  Sci.,  San 

Francisco,  California. 

OUTDOOR  WORLD  AND  RECREATION.    Nos.  2-8  Duane  Street,  New  York. 
ZOE.    San  Diego,  California,  1st  ser.  1890-1894. 

STATE  LISTS. 

Arizona.  —  COUES,  ELLIOTT.  Birds  of  Fort  Whipple,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat. 
Sci.  Phila.  xviii.  1865,  1866 ;  Birds  of  Colorado  Valley,  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv. 
Terr.  1878.  —  HENSHAW,  H.  W.  Annotated  List  of  Birds  of  Arizona, 
Expl.  and  Surv.  West  100th  Meridian,  1875.  —  MEARNS,  E.  A.  Avi- 
fauna of  Portions  of  Arizona,  Auk,  vii.  45,  251,  1890.  —  MERRIAM,  C. 
H.,  San  Francisco  Mountain  Region  and  Desert  of  Little  Colorado,  N. 
Am.  Fauna,  No.  3,  Biol.  Surv.  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  —  SCOTT,  W.  E.  D. 
Notes  from  Mountains  of  Southern  Arizona,  Auk,  ii.  348,  1885.  Avi- 
fauna of  Final  County,  with  Remarks  on  Birds  of  Pima  and  Gila  Coun- 
ties, Auk,  iii.  249,  383,  421 ;  iv.  16,  196 ;  v.  29,  159. 

British  Columbia.  —  CHAPMAN,  F.  M.  Collection  of  Birds  of  British 
Columbia,  by  C.  P.  Streator,  Am.  Mus.  Nat.  Hist.  vol.  3,  No.  i.  1890.  — 
FANNIN,  JOHN.  Check-List  of  British  Columbia  Birds,  Provincial  Mu- 
seum, 1898.  —  OSGOOD,  W.  H.  Natural  History  of  Queen  Charlotte 
Islands,  N.  Am.  Fauna,  No.  21,  Biol.  Surv.  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr. 

Canada. — MACOUN,  JOHN.  Catalogue  of  Canadian  Birds,  Geol.  Surv. 
Canada,  1900. 

California.  —  General.  BELDING,  LYMAN.  Land  Birds  of  the  Pacific 
District,  Cal.  Acad.  Sci.,  San  Francisco,  1890.  —  COOPER,  J.  G.  Orni- 
thology of  California,  Geol.  Surv.  Calif.  1870.  —  GRINNELL,  JOSEPH. 
Check-List  of  California  Birds,  Pacific  Coast  Avifauna,  No.  iii.  1902. 
—  Looms,  L.  M.  Calif  ornia  Water  Birds,  Proc.  Cal.  Acad.  Sci.  Ser.  2  and 
3,  1895,  1896,  1900.  —  Local.  BARLOW,  C.,  and  PRICE,  W.  W.  List  of 
Birds,  Placerville  to  Lake  Tahoe,  Condor,  iii.  150,  1901.  —  BLAKE,  E. 
W.  Summer  Birds  of  Santa  Cruz  Island,  Auk,  iv.  328,  1887.  —  BRYANT, 
WALTER.  Birds  and  Eggs  from  the  Farallon  Islands,  Proc.  Cal.  Acad. 
2d  Ser.  i.  1888.  —  COOPER,  J.  G.  Additions  to  Birds  of  Ventura  County, 
Auk,  iv.  85,  1887 ;  Calif ornian  Garden  Birds,  Am.  Nat.  x.  No.  2,  90, 


xlvi  INTRODUCTION 

1876.  —  EVERMANN,  B.  W.  Birds  of  Ventura  County,  Auk,  iii.  86,  179, 
1^86.  —  GRIKNELL,  JOSEPH.  Birds  of  Pacific  Slope  of  Los  Angeles 
County,  Pasadena  Acad.  Sci.  No.  ii.  1898.  — KEELER,  CHAS.  A.  Bird 
Notes  Afield,  Elder  &  Shepard,  San  Francisco,  1889.  —  McGREGOR,  R. 
C.  Land  Birds  of  Santa  Cruz  County,  Pac.  Coast  Avifauna,  No.  2,  1901. 
—  MERRIAM,  C.  H.  Biological  Survey  of  Mount  Shasta,  N.  Am.  Fauna, 
No.  10,  Biol.  Surv.  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  —  OBERHOLSER,  H.  C.  Birds  from 
Santa  Barbara  Islands,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  vol.  xxii.  No.  1195,  205, 
1900.  —  TAYLOR,  H.  R.,  and  BARLOW,  C.  Story  of  the  Farallones, 
Alameda,  Cal.,  1897.  —  TOWNSEND,  C.  H.  Field  Notes  on  Mammals, 
Birds,  and  Reptiles  of  Northern  California,  Birds,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 
Mus.  x.  190,  1887.  —  VAN  DENBURGH,  JOHN.  Birds  Observed  in  Cen- 
tral California  in  1893,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.  1898 :  Birds  of  Santa 
Clara  County,  Proc.  Am.  Philos.  Soc.  vol.  xxxviii.  157,  1899. 

Colorado.  —  COOKE,  W.  W.  Birds  of  Colorado,  State  Agr.  Coll.  Bull. 
37,  1897 ;  44, 1898 ;  56,  1900.  —  DREW,  F.  M.  Vertical  Range  of  Birds 
in  Colorado,  Auk.  ii.  11, 1885. 

Hudson  Bay.  —  PREBLE,  EDWARD  A.  Biological  Investigations  of 
Hudson  Bay  Region,  N.  Am.  Fauna,  No.  22,  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  1902. 

Idaho.  —  MERRIAM,  C.  H.  Biological  Reconnoissance  of  South  Central 
Idaho,  N.  Am.  Fauna,  No.  5,  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  —  MERRILL,  J.  C.  Notes 
on  Birds  of  Fort  Sherman,  Auk,  xiv.  347,  1897 ;  xv.  14,  1898. 

Kansas.  —  Goss,  N.  S.  Birds  of  Kansas,  Crane  &  Co.,  Topeka,  Kan.,  1891. 

Lower  California.  —  BELDING,  LYMAN.  Catalogue  Coll.  Birds  from 
Western  Coast  and  Cape  Regions  of  Lower  California,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat. 
Mus.  vol.  v.  527,  1882.  —  BREAVSTER,  WILLIAM.  Birds  of  Cape  Region, 
Lower  California,  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.  xli.  1,  Sept.  1902.  —  BRYANT, 
WALTER.  Catalogue  of  Birds  of  Lower  California,  Mexico,  Proc.  Cal. 
Acad.  Sci.  1889. 

Manitoba.  —  THOMPSON,  E.  E.  Birds  of  Manitoba,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat 
Mus.  vol.  xiii.  458,  1890. 

Montana.  —  COOPER,  J.  G.  Fauna  of  Montana,  Am.  Nat.  ii.  and  iii. 
1869.  —  RICHMOND,  CHARLES  W.,  and  KNOWLTON,  F.  H.  Birds  of 
South  Central  Montana,  Auk,  xi.  298,  1894.  —  SILLOWAY,  P.  M.  Sum- 
mer Birds  of  Flathead  Lake,  University  Montana,  Bull.  No.  3,  Biol. 
Ser.  i.  1901.  —  THORNE,  P.  M.  Birds  of  Fort  Keogh,  Auk,  xii.  211, 
1895. 

Nebraska.  —  BRUNER,  LAWRENCE.  Notes  on  Nebraska  Birds,  Neb. 
State  Horticult.  Soc.  1896.  —  WALCOTT,  R.  H.  Corrections  to  Bruner, 
Proc.  Neb.  Orn.  Union. 

Nevada.  —  FISHER,  A.  K.  Ornithology  of  Death  Valley  Exp.,  from 
N.  Am.  Fauna,  No.  7,  1893,  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  —  HOFFMAN,  W.  J. 
Birds  of  Nevada,  Bull.  Geol.  and  Geog.  Surv.  vol.  vi.  No.  2,  Hayden 
Surv.  1881. 

New  Mexico.  — ANTHONY,  A.  W.  Birds  of  Southwestern  New  Mex- 
ico, Auk,  ix.  357,  1892.  — HENRY,  T.  C.  Catalogue  of  Birds  of  New 
Mexico,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.  xi.  104,  1859 ;  Notes  on  Birds  of 
New  Mexico,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.  vii.  306,  1855.  —  HENSHAW, 
H.  W.  Birds  of  Upper  Pecos  River,  Auk,  ii.  326,  1885 ;  iii.  73,  1886. 
MITCHELL,  W.  I.  Birds  of  San  Miguel  County,  Auk,  xv.  306,  1898. 

Oregon.  —  ANTHONY,  A.  W.,  Birds  of  Washington  County,  Auk,  iii.  161, 
1886.  —  BELDING,  LYMAN.  Birds  of  Pacific  Coast,  California  Acad. 
bci.,  San  Francisco,  1890.  —  BENDIRE,  CHARLES  E.  Notes  on  Birds  of 
Southeastern  Oregon,  Proc.  Bost.  Soc.  Nat.  Hist.  xix.  1877,  109.  — 
MERRILL,  J.  C.  Birds  of  Fort  Klamath,  Auk,  v.  139,  251,  357,  1888.  — 
TOWNSEND,  J.  K.  Catalogue  Birds  of  Oregon,  Narrative  Journ.  across 


INTRODUCTION  xlvii 

Rocky  Mts.,  Appendix,  Perkins  &  Marvin,  Boston,  1839.  —  WOODCOCK, 
A.  R.  Annotated  List  of  Birds  of  Oregon,  Ore.  Agr.  Exper.  Station, 
Bull.  No.  68,  1902,  Corvallis,  Ore. 

South  Dakota.  —  GRINNELL,  G.  B.  Ludlow's  Rept.  Reconn.  Black 
Hills,  Zool.  Rept.  chap,  ii.,  Birds,  1875.  —  McCnESNEY,  C.  E.  Birds  of 
Cotean  des  Prairies  of  Eastern  Dakota,  Forest  and  Stream,  vol.  viii.  176, 
192,  224,  214,  261. 

Texas.  —  ATTWATER,  H.  P.  Birds  of  San  Antonio,  Auk,  ix.  337,  1892.  — 
BROWN,  N.  C.  Second  Season  in  Texas,  Auk,  i.  120,  1884.  —  CHAPMAN, 
F.  M.  Birds  of  Corpus  Christi,  Bull.  Am.  Mus.  Nat.  Hist.  Hi.  No.  2,  art. 
xxii.  315.  —  LLOYD,  W.  Birds  of  Tom  Green  and  Concho  Counties,  Auk, 
iv.  181,  289, 1887.  —  MERRILL,  J.  C.  Notes  on  Texan  Birds,  Bull.  Nutt. 
Ornith.  Club,  i.  No.  iv.  88,  1876.  —  SENNETT,  G.  B.  Notes  on  Orni- 
thology of  Lower  Rio  Grande,  Bull.  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  Terr.  iv.  No.  i.  1, 
1878;  v.  No.  3,  371,  1879. 

Utah.  —  HENSHAW,  H.  W.  Annotated  List  of  Birds  of  Utah,  Ann.  Lye. 
Nat.  Hist.  N.  Y.  xi.  1874,  1 ;  Notes  on  the  Bird  Fauna  of  the  Salt 
Lake  Valley,  Bull.  Essex  Inst.  v.  No.  ii.  xi.  168,  1873. 

Washington.  —  COOPER,  J.  C.,  and  SDCKLEY,  G.  Birds  of  47th  and 
49th  Parallels,  Pacific  R.  R.  Rept.  vol.  xii.  book  ii.  part  iii.  No.  3,  1860. 

—  DAWSON,  W.  L.     Birds  of  Okonogan  County,  Auk,  xiv.  168,  1897 ; 
Birds  of  Yakima  County,  Wilson,  Bull.  New  Ser.  vol.  ix.  No.  2,  No.  39, 
1902.  —  KOBBE,  W.  H.     Birds  of  Cape  Disappointment,  Auk,  xvii.  349, 

1900.  —  LAWRENCE,  R.  H.    Birds  of  Gray's  Harbor,  Auk,  ix.   39,  352, 
1892.  —  RATHBDN,  S.  F.    Birds  of  Seattle,  Auk,  xix.   131,   1902.  — 
RHOADS,  S.  N.   Notes  on  Washington  and  British  Columbia  Birds,  Auk, 
x.  16,  1893. 

Wyoming.  —  GARY,  MERRITT.   Birds  of  Black  Hills,  Auk,  xviii.  231, 

1901.  —  KNIGHT,  WILBUR  C.   Birds  of  Wyoming,  University  of  Wyo- 
ming, Laramie.     Bull.  No.  55.     Sept.  1902. 

SPECIAL  SUBJECTS  AND  POPULAR  WORKS. 

SPECIAL  SUBJECTS. 

Bird  Protection. 

A.  0.  U.  COMMITTEE  ON  BIRD  PROTECTION.  Annual  Repts.,  Auk,  xiv.  21, 
1897;  xv.  81,  1898;  xvi.  55,  1899;  xvii.  51,  1900;  xviii.  68,  1901  ;  xix. 
31,  1902.  —  Game  Laws  in  Brief,  Forest  and  Stream  Publishing  Co. 
(Quarterly),  New  York.  —  PALMER,  T.  S.,  and  OLDYS,  H.  W.  Digest  of 
Game  Laws,  1901,  Bull.  16,  Biol.  Surv.  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  Game  Laws 
for  1902,  Farmer's  Bull.  No.  160,  U.  S.  Dept.  Agr.  —  PALMER,  T.  S. 
Legislation  for  the  Protection  of  Birds  other  than  Game  Birds,  Bull. 
No.  12,  Biol.  Surv.,  revised  ed.  1902.  —  LANGE,  D.  Our  Native  Birds, 
How  to  Protect  them  and  Attract  them  to  our  Homes,  The  Macmillan 
Company,  New  York,  1899.  —  MASEFIELD,  J.  R.  B.  Wild  Bird  Pro- 
tection and  Nesting  Boxes,  Taylor  Bros.,  Leeds,  England,  1897.  —  Bird- 
Lore,  Audubon  Department,  D.  Appleton  &  Company,  Harrisburg,  Penn. 

—  BABCOCK,  C.  A.     Bird  Day  ;  How  to  Prepare  for  It,  Silver,  Burdett 
&  Co.,  New  York  and  Boston,  1901. 

Food  of  Birds. 

Publications  of  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture.  —  BE AL, 
F.  E.  L.  Food  of  Woodpeckers,  Bull.  No.  7,  1895.  —  Food  of  Bobo- 
link, Blackbirds,  and  Grackles,  Bull.  No.  13,  1900 ;  Some  Common 


xlviii  INTRODUCTION 

Birds  in  their  Relation  to  Agriculture,  Farmer's  Bulletin,  No.  54 ;  Crow 
Blackbirds  and  their  Food,  Yearbook  for  1894 ;  The  Meadowlark  and 
Baltimore  Oriole,  Yearbook  for  1895  ;  The  Blue  Jay  and  its  Food,  Year- 
book for  1896  ;  Birds  that  Injure  Grain,  Yearbook  for  1897  ;  The  Food 
of  Cuckoos,  Bull.  No.  9,  1898 ;  How  Birds  affect  the  Orchard,  Yearbook 
for  1900.  — FISHER,  A.  K.  Hawks  and  Owls  from  the  Standpoint  of 
the  Farmer,  Yearbook  for  1894 ;  Two  Vanishing  Game  Birds,  Wood- 
cock and  Wood  Duck,  Yearbook  for  1901.  —  JUBD,  S.  D.  Four  Common 
Birds  of  the  Farm  and  Garden,  Yearbook  for  1895  ;  The  Food  of  Shrikes, 
Bull.  No.  9, 1898 ;  The  Food  of  Nestling  Birds,  Yearbook  for  1900 ;  The 
Relation  of  Sparrows  to  Agriculture,  Bull.  No.  15,  1901. — MEKBIAM, 
C.  H.,  and  BARROWS,  W-  B.  The  English  Sparrow  in  America,  Bull. 
No.  1,  1889.  —  PALMER,  T.  S.  A  Review  of  Economic  Ornithology  in 
the  United  States,  Yearbook  for  1899. 

Migration. 

BAIRD,  S.  F.  Distribution  and  Migration  N.  Am.  Birds,  Am.  Journ.  ScL 
Arts,  vol.  xli.,  Jan.  1866. — BELDING,  LYMAN.  Land  Birds  of  Pacific 
Coast  District,  Cal.  Acad.  Sci.,  San  Francisco,  1890.  —  BREWSTER,  WIL- 
LIAM. Bird  Migration  Memoirs  Nutt.  Orn.  Club,  Cambridge,  Mass.,  1886. 

—  CHAPMAN,  F.  M.  Remarks  on  Origin  of  Migration,  Auk,  xi.  12, 1894. 

—  COOKE,  W.  W.    Bird  Migration  in  the  Mississippi  Valley,  Div.  Econ. 
Orn.  Bull  No.  2,  U.  S.  Dept  Agr.  —  GATKE,  H.  Heligoland,  David  Doug- 
las, Edinburgh,  1895.  —  LOOMIS,  L.  M.  Water  Birds  of  California,  Proc. 
Cal.  Acad.  Sci.,  San   Francisco.  —  STONE,  WITMER.    Bird  Waves  and 
their  Graphic  Representation,  Auk,  viii.  194,  1891 ;  Graphic  Representa- 
tion of  Bird  Migration,  Auk,  vi.  139,  1889.     See,  also,  sections  on  Migra- 
tion in  Chapman's  Bird-Life  and  Newton's  Dictionary  of  Birds. 

Moult  and  Protective  Coloration. 

CHADBOURNE,  A.  P.  Individual  Dichromatism  in  Megascops  asio,  Auk, 
xiii.  321,  1896  ;  xiv.  33,  1897.  —  CLARKE,  H.  L.  Pterylography  of  the  Ca- 
primulgidae,  Auk,  xviii.  167,  1901.  —  D  WIGHT,  JONATHAN,  JR.  Moult  of 
Quails  and  Grouse,  Auk,  xvii.  143,  1900 ;  Plumage  Cycles  and  Relation 
between  Plumages  and  Moults,  Auk,  xix.  248, 1902 ;  Sequence  of  Moults 
and  Plumages  of  Laridae,  Auk,  xviii.  49,  1901 ;  Sequences  of  Plumages 
and  Moults  of  Passerine  Birds,  Annals  New  York  Acad.  Sci.  vol.  xiii.  77, 
1896.  — STONE,  WITMER.  Moulting  of  Birds,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci. 
Phila.  1896,  108 ;  Moult  and  Alleged  Color  Change  in  Birds,  Ibis,  Apr. 
1901, 177  ;  Summer  Moulting  of  Plumage  of  Certain  Ducks,  Proc.  Acad. 
Nat.  Sci.  Phila.  1899,  467.  See,  also,  Newton's  Dictionary,  Moult,  and 
Chapman's  Bird-Life,  chap,  iii.,  Colors  of  Birds. 

Nests  and  Eggs. 

BENDIRE,  CHARLES  E.  Life  Histories  of  North  American  Birds,  2  vols. 
Smith.  Inst.  1892,  1895.  —  DA  VIE,  OLIVER.  Nests  and  Eggs  of  North 
American  Birds,  5th  ed.  Landon  Press,  Columbus,  Ohio,  1898.  See,  also, 
the  Condor,  Osprey,  and  Nidologist. 


BICKNELL,  E.  P.  A  Study  of  the  Singing  of  our  Birds,  Auk,  i.  60,  126, 
209,  322,  1884  ;  ii.  144,  249,  1885.  —  CHENEY,  S.  P.  Wood  Notes  Wild, 
Lee  &  Shepard,  Boston,  1892.  —  OLDYS,  H.  W.  Parallel  Growth  of  Bird 


INTRODUCTION  xlix 

and  Human  Music,  Harper's  Monthly,  August,  1902,  vol.  cv.  No.  dcxxvii. 
474.  —  WITCHELL,  CHARLES  A.  Evolution  of  Bird-Song,  Adam  & 
Charles  Black,  London,  1896. 

POPULAR  BIRD  BOOKS. 

BASKETT,  J.  N.  The  Story  of  the  Birds,  D.  Appleton  &  Co.,  New 
York,  1897.  —  BURROUGHS,  JOHN.  Wake-Robin  ;  Fresh  Fields ;  Birds 
and  Poets ;  Locusts  and  Wild  Honey ;  Pepacton  ;  Winter  Sunshine  ; 
Signs  and  Seasons ;  Riverby,  Houghton,  Mifflin  &  Co.,  Boston.  — 
CHAPMAN,  FRANK  M.  Bird  Life  (popular  colored  ed.),  1902 ;  Bird 
Studies  with  a  Camera,  1900  ;  Handbook  of  Birds  of  Eastern  North 
America,  1895,  D.  Appleton  &  Co.,  New  York.  —  ECKSTORM,  FANNIE 
HARDY.  The  Bird  Book,  D.  C.  Heath  &  Co.,  Boston,  1901;  The 
Woodpeckers,  Houghton,  Mifflin  &  Co.,  Boston,  1901.  —  ELLIOT,  D. 
G.  Shore  Birds,  1895  ;  Game  Birds.  1897 ;  Wild  Fowl,  1898,  Francis 
P.  Harper,  New  York.  —  HERRICK,  FRANCIS  H.  Home  Life  of  Wild 
Birds,  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons,  New  York,  1901.  —  JOB,  HERBERT  K. 
Among  the  Water-Fowl,  Doubleday,  Page  &  Co.,  New  York,  1902. 
—  KEELER,  CHARLES  A.  Bird  Notes  Afield,  Elder  &  Shepard,  San 
Francisco,  1889.  —  KEYSER,  LEANDER  S.  Birds  of  the  Rockies,  A.  C. 
McClurg  &  Co.,  Chicago,  1902.  —  LORD,  W.  R.  Birds  of  Oregon  and 
Washington,  J.  K.  Gill  Company,  Portland,  Oregon,  revised  edition, 
1902.  —  MERRIAM,  F.  A.  A-Birding  on  a  Bronco,  Houghton,  Mifflin  & 
Co., Boston,  1896.  —  MILLER,  OLIVE  THORNE.  Bird- Ways;  In  Nesting 
Time ;  Little  Brothers  of  the  Air ;  A  Bird-Lover  in  the  West ;  Upon 
the  Tree-Tops  ;  First  Book  of  Birds  ;  Second  Book  of  Birds,  Houghton, 
Mifflin  &  Co.,  Boston.  —  TORREY,  BRADFORD.  Birds  in  the  Bush  ;  A 
Rambler's  Lease  ;  The  Foot-Path  Way ;  Everyday  Birds,  Houghton, 
Mifflin  &  Co.,  Boston.  —  SANDYS  and  VAN  DYKE.  Upland  Game 
Birds,  Macmillan  Co.,  New  York,  1892.  —  VAN  DYKE,  T.  S.  Game 
Birds  at  Home,  Fords,  Howard  &  Hulbert,  New  York,  1895.  —  WRIGHT, 
MABEL  OSGOOD.  Birdcraft,  2d  ed.,  Macmillan  Co.,  New  York,  1899. — 
WRIGHT,  MABEL  OSGOOD,  and  Dr.  ELLIOTT  COUES.  Citizen  Bird,  2d 
ed.,  Macmillan  Co.,  New  York,  1900. 

USE   OF   THE   KEYS. 

If  you  are  a  beginner  with  a  bird  to  identify,  and  do  not  know  the 
orders  into  which  birds  are  divided,  go  first  to  the  Key  to  Orders, 
pp.  1,2.  If  your  bird  is  a  plover,  you  may  not  be  sure  whether  it  is 
classed  with  the  water  or  land  birds  ;  so  begin  with  the  Key  to 
Water  Birds.  This  key,  as  all  others  in  the  book,  is  dichotomous, 
that  is  to  say,  at  every  step  the  birds  are  divided  into  two  classes, 
which  have  or  have  not  a  given  character  —  birds  are  black  or  they 
are  not  black,  they  have  crests  or  they  have  not  crests,  their  feet  are 
webbed  or  their  feet  are  not  webbed.  At  each  step  of  the  key  a 
number  and  its  prime  are  used  to  set  apart  the  two  classes.  In  the 
case  of  the  Key  to  Orders  of  Water  Birds  the  first  two  classes  are 
birds  which  have 

1.  Feet  fully  webbed. 


1  INTRODUCTION 

1'.  Feet  incompletely  or  not  at  all  webbed. 

If  the  bird  you  want  to  name  has  fully  webbed  feet,  read  down 
the  key  from  1 ;  if  not,  go  to  1',  and  read  down.  The  numbers  fol- 
low consecutively  from  each  heading.  In  this  case  the  birds  with 
fully  webbed  feet  are  divided  again  into  several  classes,  and  those 
without  fully  webbed  feet  also  have  subdivisions. 

1    Feet  fully  webbed  (except  Grebes  in  Pygopodes,  which  have  the  toes 

lobed  or  margined). 
2.  Foot  with  three  webs,  all  four  toes  connected. 

Steganopodes  :  Totipalmate  Swimmers,  p.  3. 
2'.  Foot  with  two  webs,  three  front  toes  connected. 
3.  Nostrils  tubular  .  Tubinares  :  Tube-nosed  Swimmers,  p.  3. 
3'.  Nostrils  not  tubular. 

4.  Edges  of  mandibles  toothed  or  serrate. 

Anseres  :  Lamellirostral  Swimmers,  p.  3. 
4'.  Edges  of  mandibles  not  toothed  or  serrate. 
5.  Legs  placed  far  back,  wings  short. 

Pygopodes :  Diving  Birds,  p.  2. 
5'.  Legs  placed  near  middle  of  body  ;    wings  long  and  pointed. 

Longipennes :  Long-winged  Swimmers,  p.  2. 
1'.  Feet  incompletely  or  not  at  all  webbed. 
2.  Lores  and  ring  around  eye  naked. 

Herodiones  :  Herons,  Storks,  and  Ibises,  p.  4. 
2'.  Lores  and  ring  around  eye  feathered. 

3.  Hind  toe  long  and  approximately  on  a  level  with  front  toes  (except 
in  Cranes  which  are  over  three  feet  long). 

Faludicolee  :  Cranes,  Rails,  Coots,  Gallinules,  etc.,  p.  4. 

3'.  Hind  toe  short  and  elevated  or  absent ;  bird  never  over  twenty-six 

inches  long Limicolee  :  Shore  Birds,  p.  4. 

Read  down  the  key,  passing  the  orders  to  which  it  does  not 
belong  till  you  come  to  the  order  to  which  it  does  belong.  For  in- 
stance, if  your  bird  is  a  duck  it  has  feet  fully  webbed  (1),  with  two 
webs,  three  front  toes  connected  (2'),  nostrils  not  tubular  (3'),  and 
edges  of  mandibles  toothed  or  serrate  (4).  It  belongs  to  the  Order 
Anseres :  Lamellirostral  Swimmers.  If ,  on  the  other  hand,  the  bird 
you  want  to  name  is  a  great  blue  heron,  as  it  has  not  fully  webbed 
feet,  you  throw  out  1  and  all  its  subdivisions,  passing  on  to  1',  — 
feet  incompletely  or  not  at  all  webbed.  The  first  subdivision  here 
is 

2.  Lores  and  ring  around  eye  naked. 

Herodiones  :  Herons,  Storks,  and  Ibises. 

You  know  if  there  is  a  naked  ring  around  the  eye,  and  to  find 
what  lores  means  you  turn  to  the  diagram  of  a  bird,  p.  1.  When 
you  find  that  your  bird  belongs  to  Order  Herodiones,  turn  to  the 
page  given  (4),  where  you  will  find  a  key  to  the  families  in  the  order. 


INTRODUCTION  li 

Read  down  this  as  before,  when,  by  throwing  out  the  families  to 
which  it  does  not  belong,  you  come  to  Ardeidce  —  2'.  Bill  straight 
and  sharp,  neck  and  most  of  head  feathered,  to  which  it  does  belong. 
Go  now  to  the  page  specified  (72),  and  run  down  the  Key  to  Genera, 
contained  in  Family  ArdeidaB,  and  you  find  that  it  belongs  to  the 
genus  Ardea,  to  which  you  are  referred  (p.  74).  Here  you  find  the 
general  characters  of  the  genus  and  a  key  to  its  species.  As  you 
know  the  bird  is  bluish  gray  and  its  size  large  you  find  it  to  be  Ardea 
herodias,  of  which  a  detailed  description  is  given  (p.  75).  If  you 
have  been  identifying  a  bird  that  you  have  shot,  you  will  have  your 
own  fresh  measurements  to  compare  with  those  in  the  description 
(see  page  xxvii.). 

In  some  of  the  more  obscure  birds  you  will  find  on  getting  to  the 
description  of  the  species  that  you  have  made  a  mistake  in  running 
down  the  keys,  but  by  patience  and  care  in  following  them  you  will 
be  able  to  identify  all  but  the  most  difficult  birds. 

After  a  little  study  you  will  grasp  the  general  classification  of 
birds  so  that  it  will  not  be  necessary  to  go  through  the  whole  series 
of  keys  for  each  bird.  You  may  not  know  what  it  is,  but  you 
know  many  things  that  it  is  not,  and  if  you  make  a  practice  of 
eliminating  you  will  narrow  down  the  possibilities  so  that  it  will  be 
much  easier  to  find  your  bird.  You  may  not  know  whether  it 
is  a  crow  or  a  raven,  but  you  do  know  that  it  is  not  a  water  bird, 
a  hawk,  owl,  or  sparrow,  and  so  you  can  go  on  throwing  out  what 
you  know  it  is  not  until  you  have  to  look  up  only  those  about  which 
you  feel  uncertain. 

The  question  as  to  which  subspecies  a  bird  belongs  to,  unless  de- 
terminable  by  geographic  range,  can  often  be  decided  only  by  expert 
ornithologists  with  large  series  of  skins  for  comparison,  and,  in  such 
cases,  found  often  among  some  of  the  flycatchers,  the  song  spar- 
rows, and  wrens,  the  only  way  to  be  sure  of  your  bird  is  to  send  it 
to  a  museum  for  identification.  The  National  Museum  in  Washing- 
ton and  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History  in  New  York  will 
both  identify  material  sent  them. 


Measurement  of  Bill 


Measurement  of  Tarsus 


Inner  toe 

Middle  toe 


TOPOGRAPHY  OF  A  BIRD 


BIRDS  OF  THE  WESTERN  UNITED  STATES 


KEY  TO  ORDERS. 

WATER  BIRDS. 

1.  Feet  fully  webbed  (except  grebes  in  Pygopodes,  which  have  the  toes 

lobed  or  margined). 
2.  Foot  with  three  webs,  all  four  toes  connected. 

Steganopodes  :  Totipalmate  Swimmers,  p.  3. 
2'.  Foot  with  two  webs,  three  front  toes  connected. 
3.  Nostrils  tubular.     Tubinares :  Tube-nosed  Swimmers,  p.  3. 
3'.  Nostrils  not  tubular. 

4.  Edges  of  mandibles  toothed  or  serrate. 

Anseres  :  Lamellh  ostral  Swimmers,  p.  3. 
4'.  Edges  of  mandibles  not  toothed  or  serrate. 
5.  Legs  placed  far  back ;  wings  short. 

Pygopodes  :  Diving  Birds,  p.  2. 
5'.  Legs  placed  near  middle  of  body ;  wings  long  and  pointed. 

Longipennes  :  Long-winged  Swimmers,  p.  2. 
1'.  Feet  incompletely  or  not  at  all  webbed. 
2.  Lores  and  ring  around  eye  naked. 

Herodiones  :  Herons,  Storks,  and  Ibises,  p.  4. 
2'.  Lores  and  ring  around  eye  feathered. 

3.  Hind  toe  long  and  approximately  on  a  level  with  front  toes  (except 

in  cranes,  which  are  over  three  feet  long)  .     .     .     Paludicolae  : 

Cranes,  Rails,  Coots,  Gallinules,  etc.,  p.  4. 

3r.  Hind  toe  short  and  elevated  or  absent ;  bird  never  over  twenty-six 

inches  long Limicolae  :  Shore  Birds,  p.  4. 

LAND  BIRDS. 

1.  Bill  strongly  hooked. 
2.  Toes  two  in  front  and  two  behind,  outer  toe  permanently  reversed. 

Fsittaci  :  Parrots,  etc.,  p.  109. 
2'.  Toes  three  in  front,  or  outer  toe  reversible. 

Raptores  :  Birds  of  Prey,  p.  109. 
1'.  Bill  not  strongly  hooked. 

2.  Hind  toe  small  and  elevated  above  front  ones,  or  bill  without  soft 
swollen  skin  around  nostrils. 

Gallinae:  Gallinaceous  Birds,  p.  108. 
2'.  Hind  toe  developed  and  not  elevated  above  front  ones. 
3.  Bill  with  soft  swollen  skin  around  nostrils. 

Columbse :  Pigeons  or  Doves,  p.  108. 


KEY  TO  FAMILIES   OF  WATER  BIRDS 

3'.  Bill  without  soft  swollen  skin  around  nostrils. 

4.  Toes  always  three  in  front,  middle  and  outer  ones  never  connected 
for  half  their  length  ;  feet  strong1. 

Passeres  :  Perching  Birds,  p.  110. 
4'.  Toes  two  or  three  in  front ;  if  three,  middle  and  outer  connected 

for  at  least  half  their  length,  or  feet  small  and  weak. 
5.  Bill  needle-like,  or  short,  with  wide  gape     .     Macrochires  : 
Goatsuckers,  Swifts,  and  Hummingbirds,  p.  11(X 
5'.  Bill  not  needle-like  nor  with  wide  gape. 
6.  Tail  feathers  stiff  and  pointed. 

Pici  :  Woodpeckers,  p.  110. 

6'.  Tail  feathers  soft,  with  normal  tips  ....     Coccyges  • 
Cuckoos,  Trogons,  and  Kingfishers,  p.  109. 


KEY  TO  FAMILIES  OF  WATER  BIRDS. 
ORDER  PYGOPODBS:  DIVING  BIRDS. 


1.  Tail  wanting ;  feet  not  fully  webbed. 

Fodicipidae :  Grebes,  p.  5. 


^1'.  Tail  present,  but  short ;  feet  webbed. 

2.  Hind  toe  present       Gaviidae  :  Loons,  p.  9. 


2'.  Hind  toe  absent  ......    .    Alcidae: 

Auks,  Murres,  and  Puffins,  p.  11. 


Fig.  3. 


ORDER  LONGIPENNES:  LONG- WINGED 
SWIMMERS. 

Fig.  4. 

1 .  Upper  mandible  with  distinct  basal  saddle. 
4  Stercorariidae  :  Jaegers,  etc.,  p.  17* 


1'.  Upper  mandible  in  one  piece. 
2  Laridae  :  Gulls  and  Terns,  p.  19. 


Fig.fi. 


KEI    TO  FAMILIES  OF  WATER  BIRDS 


ORDER  TUBINARES:  TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS. 

s~ — • 
X> 

t 
X 

Fig.  7. 


1 .  Nasal  tubes  separated  and  at  sides  of  bill. 
Diomedeidae  :  Albatrosses,  p.  32 


,  A.       V.  Nasal  tubes  connected  on  top  of  bill. 
Frocellariidae  :  Fulmars, 

Shearwaters,  and  Petrels,  p.  33, 


Fig.  8. 


ORDER  STEGANOPODES : 
TOTIPALMATE    SWIMMERS. 

1.  Bill  straight  and  sharp,  not  hooked  at  tip. 


1'.  Bill  strongly  hooked  at  tip. 


Fig.  9. 
ngidae  :  Darters,  p.  39. 


Hg.  10. 


2.  Tail  deeply  forked;  space  around  eye  feath- 
ered. 
Fregatidae  :  Man-o'-War  Birds,  p.  43. 

2'.  Tail  not  forked ;  space  around  eye  naked. 


3.  Bill  narrow,  with  slight  pouch  at  base. 

Phalacrocoracidae  • 

Cormorants,  p.  39. 


3'.  Bill  wide  and  flat,  with  large  pouch. 
Pelecaiiidae  :  Pelicans,  p.  42. 


Fig.  12. 

ORDER  ANSERES:  LAMELLIROSTRAL 
SWIMMERS. 


0.     Short-legged  swimmers Anatidae 

Ducks,  Geese,  and  Swans,  p.  44. 


4  KEY  TO  FAMILIES   OF  WATER  BIRDS 

ORDER  HERODIONES:  HERONS,  STORKS,  AND 
IBISES. 

1.  Bill  grooved  along  sides  from  nostril  to  tip. 

Ibididae  :  Ibises,  p.  70. 

1'.  Bill  not  grooved  along  sides  from  nostril  to  tip. 
2.  Bill  slightly  decurved  or  else  inclined  upward 
toward  end  ;  head  and  part  of  neck  naked. 
Ciconiidae  : 

Storks  and  Wood  Ibises,  p.  72. 
2'.  Bill  straight  and  sharp  ;  neck   and  most  of 
head  feathered.     Fig.  15.  Ardeidae  : 

Fig.  15.  Herons,  Bitterns,  Egrets,  p.  72. 

ORDER  PALUDICOL^] :  CRANES,  RAILS,  COOTS, 
AND    GALLINULES. 

1.  Hind  toe  small   and   much   elevated  ;   size  large,  wing  17  or 
more.    Fig.  16     ......     Gruidae  :  Cranes,  p.  78. 

W   1'.  Hind  toe  long,  nearly  on  a  level  with  front  toes ; 

/  size  small,  wing  10  or  less.    Fig.  17.    Rallidae  : 

-TVfrij/  Rails,  Coots,  Gallinules,  etc.,  p.  79. 

Fig.  17.  Fig.  16. 

ORDER   LIMICOL^E:    SHORE   BIRDS. 

1.  Hind  claw,  if  any,  not  longer  than  its  toe. 

2.  Front  of  tarsus  covered  with  transverse  scutellse.     Fig.  18. 
3.  Tarsus  very  thin,  toes  with  lateral  scallops  or  membranes. 
Phalaropodidae  :  Phalaropes,  p.  84. 
3'.  Tarsus    rounded,  toes   without  lateral  scallops  or  mem- 
branes. 
4.  Bill  slender,  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw. 

Scolopacidae  :  Snipes,  Sandpipers,  etc.,  p.  87. 
4'.  Bill  stout,  not  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw. 

Aphrizidae  :  Surf  Birds  and  Turnstones,  p.  106. 
2'.  Front  of  tarsus    covered  with  hexagonal  or  irregular  scu- 

tellae.    Fig.  19. 
3.  Tarsus  more  than  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw. 

Recurvirostridae:  Avocets  and  Stilts,  p.  86. 
3'.  Tarsus  less  than  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw. 
4.  Bill  longer  than  tarsus,  laterally  compressed  and  wedge- 
shaped  .    .  Haematopodidae  :  Oyster-catchers,  p.  107. 
4'.  Bill  shorter  than  tarsus,  pointed,  not  laterally  compressed. 

Charadriidae  :  Plovers,  p.  102. 
1'.  Hind  claw  longer  than  its  toe ;  wing  with  spur. 

Jacanidae  :  Jacana,  p.  108. 


GREBES  5 

ORDER  PYGOPODBS :  DIVING  BIRDS. 

(FAMILIES  PODICIPID^E,  GAVIID^E,  ALCID^E.) 

FAMILY  PODICIFID-SJ :  GREBES. 

KEY   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Bill  long1  and  slender,  tip  not  decurved. 
2.  Bill  five  or  more  times  as  long-  as  depth  at  base. 

JEchmophorus,  p.  5. 
2'.  Bill  less  than  four  times  as  long  as  depth  at  base. 

Colymbus,  p.  6. 
1'.  Bill  short  and  stout,  tip  of  upper  mandible  decurved. 

Podilymbus,  p.  8. 

GENUS   -ffiCHMOPHORUS. 

1.  -ZEchmophorus  occidentalis  (Lawr.).  WESTERN  GREBE. 
Head  without  side 
crests;  bill  slender; 
neck  nearly  as  long1 
as  body.  Adults  : 
top  of  head  and  line 
down  back  of  neck 
blackish  ;  back 
slaty  gray  ;  throat 
and  under  parts  sil- 
very white.  Male  : 
length  24-29,  wing- 
7.45-8.50,  bill  2.60- 
3.05.  Female: 
smaller,  bill  2.10- 
2.48. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  Pacific  to  Manitoba,  and  from  central  Mexico 
to  British  Columbia  and  Alberta. 

Nest.  —  Floating-  on  the  water,  a  raft  of  tule  stems,  grass,  and  water 
plants,  with  a  slight  depression  in  the  centre.  Eggs :  4  to  5,  white. 

To  find  the  western  grebe  at  home  go  to  the  tale-bordered  lakes 
of  eastern  Oregon.  Creep  through  the  tall  grass  and  part  the  tules 
on  the  edge  of  a  clear  pond,  and  right  before  you  on  the  water  is  the 
grebe,  with  its  silvery  throat,  graceful  form,  and  fiery  eye.  A  sud- 
den motion  of  your  hand,  and  the  needle-like  bill  pierces  the  water 
and  the  bird  disappears  like  a  flash  of  light,  to  reappear  a  full 
minute  later  well  beyond  shot-gun  range  from  shore.  If  you  make 
yourself  known  less  suddenly  the  grebe  instead  of  diving  sinks 
slowly  and  without  a  ripple,  never  to  reappear  except  far  away  or 
in  some  hidden  part  of  the  tules. 

As  you  watch  the  birds  out  in  the  lake,  popping  up  and  remain- 
ing long  enough  for  a  good  breath,  then  going  below  to  stay  a  much 


1 


6  GREBES 

longer  time,  you  wonder  what  they  are  finding.  If  you  shoot  one, 
a  few  tiny  bones  of  minnows  in  its  stomach  mixed  with  the  usual 
ball  of  feathers  from  its  own  breast  tell  part  of  the  story  and  ex- 
plain its  mermaid  habits,  slender  head,  long  neck,  and  spear-like 
bill. 

But  to  get  to  the  heart  of  the  grebe's  home  you  should  wade  out 
where  the  tules  stand  up  to  their  necks  in  water.  Here  in  the  damp, 
saucer-shaped  top  of  a  floating  island  of  tule  stems,  you  find  the 
eggs,  warm  and  hastily  covered  with  material  from  the  sides  of  the 
nest.  There  is  no  bird  in  sight,  but  the  large  size  of  both  nest  and 
eggs  serve  to  distinguish  them  from  those  of  the  smaller  grebes.  If 
you  keep  still  for  a  little  while  a  slender  head  and  long  neck  may 
come  up  out  of  the  water  near  you  and  a  pair  of  keen  eyes  watch 
you  anxiously  for  a  moment,  then  quickly  sink  below  again,  to  come 
up  a  little  later  on  the  other  side. 

The  grebes  are  rarely  seen  except  on  the  water,  but  when,  after 
much  kicking  and  spattering,  they  are  fairly  launched  on  the  wing, 
they  have  a  steady  rapid  flight,  and  in  migration  make  long  jour- 
neys. VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS    COLYMBUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  straight  and  sharp,  never  four  times  as  long 
as  its  depth  at  base ;  neck  not  nearly  as  long  as  body ;  head  sometimes 
crested. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Size  large,  bill  over  1.50 holboellii,  p.  6. 

1'.  Size  small  or  medium. 

2.  Small,  bill  .82 brachypterus,  p.  8. 

2'.  Medium,  bill  about  1.00. 

3.  Bill  deeper  than  wide  at  base  ;  head  of  adult  in  breeding  plumage 

heavily  crested auritus,  p.  7. 

3'.  Bill  wider  tban  deep  at  base  ;  head  of  adult  in  breeding  plumage 
lightly  crested calif  ornicus,  p.  7. 

Subgenus  Colymbus. 

2.  Colymbus  holbOBllii  (Beinh.).    HOLB<ELL  GREBE. 

Bill  nearly  as  long  as  head  ;  crests  inconspicuous  or  wanting.  Breeding 
plumage  :  top  of  head  greenish  black  ;  back  blackish,  with  brown  on  wings  ; 
sides  of  head  and  throat  patch  white  or  grayish ;  neck  rufous ;  lower 
parts  washed  with  white  over  gray.  Winter  plumage  and  young :  neck 
gray  instead  of  rufous.  Length:  18.00-20.50,  wing  7.30-8.10,  bill  1.65- 
2.40. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  Greenland,  and  eastern  Asia,  breeding 
south  to  Minnesota,  migrating  south  to  South  Carolina,  southern  Colorado, 
and  Monterey  Bay,  California. 

Nest.  —  Made  of  reeds,  grass,  and  mud,  attached  to  growing  reeds  or 
masses  of  dead  vegetable  matter.  Eggs:  4  to  5. 


EARED  GREBE 


GREBES  *  7 

The  Holbcell  grebe  nests  in  isolated  pairs  in  reeds  along  the  mar- 
gins of  shallow,  fish-frequented  lakes,  preferably  in  forested  country, 
but  also  in  prairie  regions. 

Subgenus  Dytes. 

3.  Colymbus  auritus  Linn.     HORNED  GREBE. 

About  the  size  of  the  dabchick,  but  slenderer  ;  sexes  similar ;  cheeks 
and  sides  of  head  with  crests  or  ruffs  in  adults. 
Breeding  plumage  :  sides  of  head  with  yellow  tufts 
of  silky  feathers,  rest  of  head  and  throat  black  ; 
upper  parts  dusky ;  lower  neck,  chest,  and  sides 
rufous ;  breast  silvery  white.  Winter  adults  and 
young :  crests  scant  or  wanting ;  throat  white  ;  sides 
with  little  or  no  rufous.  Length :  12.50-15.25,  wing- 
about  5.75,  bill  about  .85-1.00. 

Remarks.  —  The  young  can  usually  be  distin- 
guished from  young  calif  ornicus  by  the  bill,  which  is 
higher  than  wide  at  base. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemi- 
sphere, breeding  in  North  America  chiefly  north 
of  the  United  States;  migrating  south  over  the 
United  States. 

Nest.  —  Made  of  reeds,  grass,  and  mud,  attached 
to  reeds,  or  on  floating  masses  of  sticks  and  sedges. 

In  full  plumage,  with  their  big  crests  and  mufflers  and  rich  colors, 
the  horned  grebes  easily  rank  as  the  handsomest  of  their  family. 
In  the  United  States  they  are  seen  on  their  migration  journeys 
usually  in  small  flocks,  late  in  fall  or  following  close  on  the  retreat- 
ing ice  in  spring.  In  their  northern  summer  home  their  habits  are 
said  to  be  similar  to  those  of  other  grebes. 

4.  Colymbus  nigricollis  californicus  (Heerm.).   EARED  GREBE. 

Breeding  plumage.  —  A  fan-shaped  tuft  of  yellow  silky  feathers  on  each 
side  of  head  ;  rest  of  head,  neck,  and  chest  black ;  back  blackish ;  sides 
brown ;  breast  silvery  white.  Winter  plumage  and  young  :  upper  parts  and 
sides  dusky ;  throat  and  ear  patch  white  or  grayish  ;  bill  slender,  wider 
than  deep  at  base  ;  crests  wanting.  Length  :  12-14,  wing  5.30,  bill  1. 

Distribution.  —  Western  North  America,  east  to  the  Mississippi,  north  to 
Great  Slave  Lake,  south  to  Guatemala,  breeding  throughout  most  of  its 
range. 

Nest.  —  Floating  on  shallow  water  in  ponds  or  lakes ;  made  of  rushes. 
Eggs  :  4  to  6,  soiled  white. 

In  the  Great  Basin  country  where  tall  tules  grow  half  way  across 
some  of  the  big  shallow  lakes,  the  eared  grebes  have  made  their 
homes  for  ages,  raising  their  young  in  peace  and  as  much  quiet  as 
the  cackling  of  coots  and  rails,  the  quacking  of  ducks,  and  laughing 
of  stilts  and  avocets  would  allow.  Out  in  the  open  ponds  diving  for 
minnows,  gliding  among  the  dark  tule  stems,  or  brooding  on  theii 
floating  nests  and  caring  for  their  downy  black  chicks,  they  have 


8  f  GREBES 

been  comparatively  safe  from  enemies,  and  year  after  year  have 
gone  south  when  the  lakes  froze  over  and  come  back  again  with  the 
warm  spring  days. 

But  this  life  of  primitive  security  was  rudely  broken  into  when 
their  beautiful  silvery  breasts  and  rich  brown  sides  attracted  the 
attention  of  the  plume  hunters,  and  within  five  or  six  years  the 
demand  for  their  skins  for  hats,  muffs,  and  capes  has  grown  so 
great  as  to  threaten  the  species,  and  with  it  several  other  species  of 
grebes,  with  extermination.  Hunters  go  to  the  breeding-grounds 
and  shoot  the  old  birds  when  bold  in  defense  of  their  eggs  and 
young,  stripping  off  their  skins  and  shipping  them  in  thousands  to 
the  cities.  Unless  some  wise  law  intervenes,  these  harmless,  beauti- 
ful spirits  of  the  lake  will  soon  have  disappeared  from  the  face  of 
the  earth.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

Submenus  Podiceps. 

5.  Colymbus    doxninicus    brachypterus   Chapm.     LEAST 

GREBE. 

A  tiny  dusky  grebe,  about  half  as  big  as  the  dabchiok ;  bill  black,  tipped 
with  whitish.    Adults :  top  of  head  and  back 
dull  greenish  black  ;  chin  and  throat  blackish  ; 
sides  of   neck  and  head  plumbeous;  breast 
mottled   silvery  gray.    Wing :  3.80,  bill  .82. 
Distribution.  —  From    Panama    north   to 
22.  southern  Texas  and  Lower  California. 

Nest .  —  On  water,  floating  among  the  rushes.     Eggs :  usually  7. 

These  tiny  grebes  are  as  common  in  the  ponds  of  southern  Texas 
as  the  dabchick  in  the  north.  In  open  water  they  bob  on  the  little 
waves,  and  in  quiet  pools  where  the  willows  overhang  the  banks 
swim  and  dive  among  the  sedges  and  pink  water-lilies.  When  not 
seeking  food  below  the  surface  of  the  water,  they  usually  keep 
close  to  some  cover,  and  in  the  middle  of  the  day  if  not  hidden  in 
the  sedges  are  found  sitting  close  under  the  shore  grass,  or  in  the 
shade  of  a  bush  or  low-hanging  tree.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS   PODILYMBUS. 

6.  Podilymbus  podlceps  (Linn.).  PIED-BILLED  GREBE  :  DABCHICK. 

Bill  short  and  stout,  head  not  crested.  Breeding  plumage :  bill  whitish, 
crossed  by  a  black  band;  upper  parts  black- 
ish ;  chin  and  throat  black;  breast  mottled 
silvery  gray.  Winter  plumage :  bill  brown- 
ish, with  paler  lower  mandible  ;  chin,  throat, 
and  breast  whitish.  Young  :  head  and  neck 
more  or  less  striped  with  brown,  black,  and 
Fig.  23.  white  Length;  12-15,  wing  4.50-5.00,  bill 

about  .87. 

Distribution.  —  North  and  South  America,  except  extreme  northern  and 
southern  parts,  breeding  throughout  most  of  its  range. 


LOONS  9 

Nest.  —  A  floating-  or  anchored  raft  of  water-soaked  plant  stems  among 
tules  in  shallow  water.  Eggs  :  4  to  8,  soiled  whitish. 

Every  boy  who  has  carried  a  gun  and  crept  through  tall  grass  to 
the  edges  of  ponds  and  lakes,  or  has  followed  the  creeks,  cutting 
from  bend  to  bend,  and  peering  cautiously  up  stream  and  down, 
has  found  himself  more  than  once  face  to  face  with  a  little  gray 
duck,  —  only  it  was  n't  a  duck  —  which  when  he  raised  his  gun  dived 
just  as  he  pulled  the  trigger,  so  the  shot  scattered  over  the  sur- 
face of  the  water.  No  amount  of  waiting  or  searching  the  banks 
did  any  good,  —  the  bird  was  never  seen  again,  dead  or  alive.  There 
was  a  mystery  about  it,  and  when  some  one  older  and  wiser  than 
he  told  him  it  was  a  water  witch  or  hell  diver,  the  mystery  was 
only  half  solved.  Where  did  it  go  ?  How  could  it  stay  under 
water  through  the  half  hour  that  he  waited  for  it  to  come  to  the 
surface  ?  Had  he  been  just  around  the  next  bend  he  might  possibly 
have  seen  a  gray  bill  and  a  pair  of  dark  eyes  that  came  up  out  of 
the  water  close  to  the  bank,  stayed  just  long  enough  for  a  good 
breath  of  air,  and  then  disappeared  for  another  long  swim  below  the 
surface. 

Fortunately  for  the  dabchick,  its  dress  is  all  in  dull  colors,  and  as 
no  one  wants  to  borrow  its  plumes  it  may  be  hoped  that,  like  the 
poor,  the  little  plebeian  may  be  always  with  us.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

FAMILY   GAVIID-ffJ:  LOONS. 
GENUS    GAVIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  feathers  short  and  stiff ;  front  toes  fully 
webbed,  hind  toe  small ;  head  and  neck  velvety,  never  crested. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Tarsus  longer  than  inner  toe  and  claw lumme,  p.  11. 

1'.  Tarsus  shorter  than  inner  toe  and  claw. 

2.  Head  and  neck  black imber,  p.  9. 

2'.  Back  of  head  and  neck  smoky  gray. 

3.  Larger,  wing  12.55,  back  of  head  dark  gray     .     .    arctica,  p.  10. 
3'.  Smaller,  wing  11.54,  back  of  head  light  gray   .     .  pacifica,  p.  10. 

7.   Gavia  imber  (Gunn.}.    LOON:  GREAT  NORTHERN  DIVER. 

Adults  in  summer  plumage.  —  Head  and  neck  velvety  black,  glossed  with 
green  ;  throat  and  sides  of  neck  crossed  by  series 
of   white    streaks ;    breast    white ;    back    black, 
spotted  with  white.     Winter  plumage  and  young  : 

back   slaty,   without  white  spots  ;   throat  white.       — . — . ^^ 

Length  :  28-36,  wing  14.06,  bill  3.07.  ^\  6 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemi-  Fig  24. 

sphere,   breeding  in  the  northern  United    States 
and  northward ;  south  in  winter  to  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  Lower  California. 


10  LOONS 

Nest.  —  Usually  the  hollowed-out  top  of  an  old  muskrat  house  in  a  lake. 
Eggs :  2,  dark  olive  gray,  spotted  with  black  and  more  or  less  stained 
with  brown. 

In  the  north  spring  comes  with  a  bound.  A  few  warm  days  and 
a  rain  —  the  ice  breaks  —  and  then,  with  a  wild  shrill  cry  overhead 
come  the  loons,  with  strong  steady  flight  —  and  spring  is  here. 
On  their  home  waters  the  loons  are  found  usually  in  pairs,  swim- 
ming in  the  clear  rivers  and  lakes,  not  paddling  around  shore  or  in 
the  wild  rice  or  tules  with  the  ducks  and  grebes,  but  out  in  a  big 
sweep  of  open  water.  If  alarmed  they  dive,  and  few  if  any  birds 
can  equal  them  in  long  rapid  journeys  under  water.  If  the  lake  is 
shallow  you  can  follow  their  wake,  but  you  must  be  a  good  rower 
with  a  good  boat  to  keep  up  with  one.  If  there  is  no  wind  a  loon 
will  often  race  for  miles,  showing  only  his  head  above  water  at  long 
intervals  rather  than  undertake  the  laborious  water  kicking  per- 
formance necessary  in  order  to  get  fairly  on  the  wing.  Against  a 
stiff  breeze  the  birds  rise  with  less  effort.  On  land  they  are  practi- 
cally helpless,  as  they  can  neither  walk  nor  take  wing,  and  must 
slide  and  flap  along  to  the  nearest  water.  The  water  is  their  home 
from  the  time  they  hatch  and  tumble  into  it  as  furry  balls  of  dusky 
down  till  their  last  cry  rings  over  the  surface. 

Only  on  the  lonely  lake  in  the  heart  of  the  woods  do  you  get  the 
startling  thrill  of  the  loon's  wild  cry,  —  one  clear,  piercing  note  or  a 
long,  quavering,  demoniacal  laugh  that  to  the  timid  suggests  a  herd 
of  screaming  panthers.  It  is  one  of  the  stirring,  inspiring  sounds 
of  nature,  like  the  scream  of  an  eagle  or  the  bugling  of  a  flock  of 
swans,  and  after  hearing  it  you  no  longer  wonder  that  the  loon  has 
figured  in  poetry  and  legend.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

9.  Gavia  arctica  (Linn.).    BLACK-THROATED  LOON. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Back  of  head  and  neck  smoky  or  plumbeous  gray ; 
throat  and  fore  neck  purplish  black,  throat  crossed  by  transverse  bars  of 
white  streaks,  a  series  of  longitudinal  white  streaks  separating  the  gray 
and  black  on  sides  of  neck  ;  back  black,  barred  and  spotted  with  white  ; 
breast  pure  white.  Winter  and  immature  plumages :  white  markings  of 
back  wanting,  and  throat  white.  Length:  26-29,  wing  12.55,  bill  2.60. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere,  breeding  in  arctic 
America  and  migrating  south  to  extreme  northern  states,  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains. 

Eggs.  —  Laid  on  the  ground  on  a  small  islet  in  a  ,pond ;  dark  olive, 
blotched  with  black. 

10.  Gavia  pacifica  (Lawr.).    PACIFIC  LOON. 

Breeding  plumage.  —  Back  of  head  and  neck  smoky  gray  or  whitish ; 
throat  black,  glossed  with  greenish  or  purplish  and  crossed  by  transverse 
bar  of  white  streaks;  sides  of  neck  with  series  of  longitudinal  white 
streaks ;  back  black,  with  four  series  of  white  bars ;  lower  parts  white. 


AUKS,  MURRES,  AND   PUFFINS  11 


Fig.  25.     Pacific  Loon. 

Winter  plumage  and  young:  back  without  white  markings;  throat  white. 
Wing:  11.54,  bill  2.15. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  from  Lower  California  to  Alaska,  breeding 
far  northward ;  east  to  Hudson  Bay. 

Macfarlane  has  found  nests  of  the  Pacific  loon  in  wooded  sections, 
in  the  Barren  Grounds,  and  on  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Sea.  The 
birds  reach  these  breeding  places  in  June  and  leave  in  September. 
In  winter  Mr.  Loomis  has  found  them  passing  up  and  down  the 
coast  in  great  numbers. 

11.  Gavia  lumme  (Gunn.).    RED-THROATED  LOON. 

Adults  in  summer  plumage.  —  Head  and  neck  plumbeous  gray ;  throat  with 
a  wedge-shaped  patch  of  rich  chestnut ;  back  sooty  ;  top  of  head  and  back 
of  neck  streaked  and  back  specked  with  white  ;  under  parts  white.  Winter 
plumage  and  young :  throat  and  fore  neck  white.  Length :  24-27,  wing 
10.00-11.50,  bill  2.25. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere,  breeding  in  arc- 
tic regions  and  migrating  south  nearly  across  the  United  States. 

Eggs.  —  2,  laid  on  the  ground,  like  those  of  G.  arctica,  p.  10. 

In  Alaska  the  red -throated  are  by  far  the  most  abundant  of  the 
loons.  They  reach  St.  Michaels  and  the  Yukon  delta  with  the  first 
open  water,  and  by  the  end  of  May  are  to  be  seen  in  great  numbers. 
Mr.  Nelson  says  they  are  extremely  noisy  all  through  the  first  part 
of  summer,  their  harsh  gr-r-ga-gr-r,  gr-r-ga,  gd-gr-r  rising  every- 
where from  the  marshes  during  the  entire  twenty-four  hours. 

FAMILY  ALCID-SI :  AUKS,  MURRES,  AND  PUFFINS. 

£«  KEY   TO    GENERA. 

1.  Bill  high,  much  compressed,  ridged  down  sides  ;  a  fold  of 
naked  skin  at  corner  of  mouth   ....     Lunda,  p.  12. 
F'.£.  26.       1'.  Bill  not  extremely  high,  compressed,  nor  ridged  ;  corner  of 
mouth  without  fold  of  naked  skin. 

2.  Nostrils  covered  by  feathers      ....     Uria,  p.  16. 

2'.  Nostrils  exposed. 

3.  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  1  or  more. 


12 


AUKS,   MURRES,  AND  PUFFINS 


29. 


ft 

Fig.  30. 


4.  Bill  stout,  tip  decurved,  base  with  horn  in  breed- 
ing season    .....     Cerorhiiica,  p.  13. 


4'.  Bill  slender  and  straight,  base  without  horn. 
4  Cepphus,  p.  16. 

3'.  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  .80  or  less. 
4.  Bill  wider  than  deep  at  base. 

Ptychoramphus,  p.  13. 
4'.  Bill  much  deeper  than  wide  at  base. 

5.  Cutting  edge  of  lower  mandible  concave. 


6.  Bill  .60,  without  knob  at  base. 

Cyclorrhynchus,  p.  14. 


6'.  Bill  .40  or  less,  with  knob  at  base. 

Simorhynchus,  p.  14. 
Fig.  31. 

5'.  Cutting  edge  of  lower  mandible  convex. 
6.  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front. 

Synthliboramphus,  p.  15. 
6'.  Tarsus  reticulate  in  front. 

Brachyramphus,  p.  15. 

GENUS   LUNDA. 

12,  Lunda  cirrhata  Pali    TUFTED  PUFFIN. 

Bill   compressed,  nearly  as  high    as   long.     Adults  :  upper  parts  sooty 

black  ;  under  parts  dark  grayish. 
Breeding  plumage  :  sides  of  face 
white,  a  long  crest  of  fine  silky  yel- 
low feathers  over  each  eye  ;  terminal 
half  of  bill,  and  feet,  bright  red. 
Winter  plumage:  sides  of  head 
dusky,  and  without  crests  ;  horny 
covering  of  base  of  bill  replaced  by 
soft  dusky  brown  skin  ;  feet  flesh 
color.  Young  in  first  winter  :  similar 
to  winter  adult,  but  with  rudiments 
of  light  brown  crests,  and  sides  of 
upper  mandible  without  grooves. 
Length  :  14.40-15.60,  wing  7.75,  bill 
1.30-1.45. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  and  islands 
from  southern  California  to  Alaska, 
and  from  Bering  Strait  to  Japan. 

Egg.  —  1,  laid  usually  on  the  bare  ground  at  the  end  of  a  burrow  or  in 
cavity  among  rocks  on  the  face  of  a  cliff. 

The  tufted  puffins  nest  preferably  among  cliffs  and  on  earth  and 
grass-covered  edges  of  bluffs,  and  in  such  places  the  ground  is  often 


Fig.  32. 


AUKS,  MURRES,  AND  PUFFINS  13 

a  network  of  their  burrows.  When  there  is  no  soil  to  burrow  in, 
the  birds  use  natural  cavities. 

They  reach  the  Farallone  Islands  the  latter  part  of  March,  and 
when  the  nests  are  made  and  incubation  begun,  Mr.  Bryant  says, 
they  may  be  located  by  the  presence  of  a  sentjnel  at  the  entrance  of 
the  burrow. 

The  bright  and  oddly  shaped  bill,  white  eyes,  and  yellow  nuptial 
tufts,  which  flutter  in  the  wind,  give  the  bird  a  most  distinguished 
appearance.  Its  bill  is  not  only  an  ornament  but  a  most  effective 
weapon.  When  caught  in  its  burrow  the  puffin  inflicts  painful 
wounds  with  it,  sometimes  actually  cutting  to  the  bone,  its  jaws 
remaining  set  until  pried  apart  or  until  it  is  killed. 

GENUS    CERORHINCA. 

16.  Cerorhinca  monocerata  (Pali}.    RHINOCEROS  AUKLET. 

Bill  much  compressed,  longer  than  deep;  in  breeding-  season  base  of 
bill  surmounted  by  upright  horn.  Breeding  plum- 
age :  upper  parts  dusky ;  sides  of  head,  throat, 
and  rest  of  under  parts  plumbeous,  except  for  whit- 
ish belly ;  side  of  head  with  two  series  of  white 
pointed  feathers.  Winter  plumage  :  breast  more  uni- 
formly gray ;  belly  purer  white ;  horn  absent. 
Young :  head  without  crests.  Length :  14.00-15.50, 
wing  7.25,  bill  from  front  edge  of  horn  1. 

Distribution.  —  From  coasts  and  islands  of  the  north  Pacific  to  Lower 
California,  and  to  Japan. 

When  collecting  the  rhinoceros  auklet  at  the  Catalina  Islands,  Mr. 
Joseph  Grinnell  found  it  a  most  persistent  diver  and  powerful 
swimmer  under  water.  He  did  not  see  one  of  the  birds  on  the  wing. 
They  all  dived  on  approach.  He  says  the  auklet  is  so  short  and 
chunky  that  at  a  little  distance  it  looks  like  a  block  of  wood  float- 
ing on  the  water.  The  food  of  the  birds  Mr.  Grinnell  took,  on  ex- 
amination of  their  stomachs,  proved  to  be  entirely  a  small  yellow 
crustacean,  none  of  which  were  to  be  seen  anywhere  near  the  sur- 
face. 

At  Monterey  Mr.  Loomis  saw  an  extensive  migration  of  the  auk- 
lets  on  January  12,  1895.  The  birds  came  from  the  north  in  pairs, 
and  went  on  down  the  coast  without  stopping. 

GENUS    PTYCHOBAMPHUS. 

16.  Ptychoramphus  aleuticus  (Pall}.    CASSIN  AUKLET. 

Bill  broader  than  deep  at  base  ;  upper  outline  nearly  straight. 

Upper  parts  slaty  black ;  sides  of  head,  neck,  and  throat  plumbeous ; 
spot  on  lower  eyelid,  and  under  parts,  white.  Length :  8.00-9.50,  wing 
4.75-5.25,  bill  .75. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  North  America  from  Aleutian  Islands  to 
Lower  California. 

Egg.  —  1,  unmarked,  laid  in  a  natural  cavity. 


14  AUKS,  MURRES,  AND  PUFFINS 

At  Monterey  Mr.  Loomis  has  found  comparatively  few  Cassin 
auklets  near  land,  but  reports  them  as  common  off  shore,  especially 
on  the  ocean.  In  July  he  has  found  eggs  and  young  birds  on  the 
Farallone  Islands,  and  in  one  case  discovered  an  auklet  sharing  its 
apartment  with  two  rabbits.  The  numbers  of  these  birds  on  the 
islands  was  impressively  shown  one  night  during  Mr.  Loomis's  visit. 
At  sundown  he  saw  several  flocks  flying  high  overhead  and  at  two 
in  the  morning  awakened  to  find  the  bird  population  in  an  uproar. 
Although  it  was  pitch  dark  the  voices  of  the  auklets  —  which  he  com- 
pares to  those  of  whip-poor-wills  —  filled  the  air  till  the  whole  island 
appeared  to  be  alive  with  birds. 

GENUS    CYCLORRHYNCHUS. 

17.  Cyclorrhynchus  psittaculus  (Pall.).     PAROQUET  AUKLET. 
Bill  dark  red.  high,  and  thin,  with  sickle-shaped  lower  mandible  curved 
upward.      Breeding  plumage :    throat   and   upper 
parts  sooty  black  ;  under  parts  white  ;  a  white  line 
from  lower  eyelid  back  over  ear  ending  in  a  thin 
white  crest.     Winter  plumage  and  young :  throat 
as  well  as  rest  of  under  parts  white.   Length :  9.00- 
^    10.40,  wing  5.40-6.00,  bill  .60. 
Fig  34_  Distribution.  —  Coasts  and  islands  of  the  north 

Pacific  from  the  Kurile  Islands  and  San  Francisco 
Bay  to  Sitka,  and  northward. 

Egg.  —  1,  pure  white,  deposited  in  a  deep  chink  or  crevice. 

When  sailing  across  Bering  Sea,  on  the  way  to  Norton  Sound,  Mr. 
Nelson's  vessel  was  stopped  and  held  by  the  pack  ice.  When  the 
ice  at  last  opened,  he  says,  the  water  became  covered  by  thousands  of 
the  strange  little  auklets,  and  as  long  as  the  ship  was  in  the  ice  the 
only  sounds  beside  the  grinding  of  the  cakes  and  the  roar  of  the 
waves  were  the  low  whistled  notes  of  the  parrot  and  crested  auklets, 
myriads  of  which  surrounded  the  boat,  "  swimming  buoyantly  from 
side  to  side  or  skurrying  away  from  the  bow  of  the  vessel."  On  the 
Fur  Seal  Islands  the  birds  were  again  encountered,  this  time  breed- 
ing on  the  cliffs,  feeding  at  sea  and  returning  to  their  nests  and 
mates  on  the  islands. 

GENUS   SIMORHYNCHUS. 

20.  Simorhynclius  pusillus  (Pall).    LEAST  AUKLET. 
Size  very  small ;  bill  with  knob  at  base  ;  crests  of  slender  white  feathers 
in  front  and  back  of  eye.     Breeding  plumage :  upper  parts 
<T  Q    blackish,  mixed  with  white  on  scapulars ;  under  parts  white, 
1        »     irregularly  spotted  or   mottled   with  dusky,  often  forming 
Z    a  dusky  band  across  chest.      Winter  plumage :  under  parts 
Fig.  35.        an(j  gifles  Of  neck  pure  white ;  face  crests  usually  less  de- 
veloped.    Young  :  similar  to  winter  adults  but  with  more  white  on  scapu- 
lars and  without  the  white  face  feathers.     Length :  5.50-7.20,  wing  3.50- 
4.00,  bill  .35-.40. 


AUKS,  MURRES,  AND   PUFFINS  15 

Distribution.  —  Coasts  and  islands  of  the  north  Pacific  from  Bering 
Strait  south  to  Washington  and  Japan.  Recorded  from  Puget  Sound, 

Auk,  x.  17. 

GENUS    SYNTHLIBORAMPHUS. 

21.  Synthliboramphus  antiquus  (GmeL).    ANCIENT  MURRELET. 

Bill  small  and  short,  nostrils  exposed ;  front  of  tarsus  covered  with 
transverse  scutellse.  Breeding  plumage  :  head  and  neck  black,  with  large 
white  patch  on  side  of  neck,  a  wide  stripe  of  white  filaments  along  back 
edge  of  crown,  and  scattered  white  filaments  over  back  of  neck ;  back 
slaty  ;  sides  black  ;  under  parts  white.  Winter  plumage :  throat  white  ; 
head  and  back  without  white  filaments ;  sides  gray.  Length:  9.50-10.80, 
wing  5.25-5.50,  bill  .60. 

Distribution.  —  Coasts  and  islands  of  the  north  Pacific  ;  south  to  Monte- 
rey Bay. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Littlejohn,  often  an  abandoned  burrow  of  Cassin 
auklet,  a  crevice  under  a  rock,  or  a  burrow  under  a  tussock  of  rank  grass, 
lined  with  dry  grass  ;  but  sometimes  bare  rocks,  sand,  or  wet  ground. 
Eggs :  2,  deep  buff,  with  small  longitudinal  markings  of  light  brown  and 
lavender  gray. 

Ancient  murrelets  visit  California  in  winter  in  considerable  num- 
bers, and  Mr.  Loomis  has  found  them  near  the  Seaside  Laboratory 
close  to  the  surf  in  the  little  coves.  He  describes  them  as  "great 
divers  and  swimmers  under  water,  and  voracious  in  their  pursuit  of 
small  fry,  occasionally  driving  the  fish  to  the  surface  in  the  eager- 
ness of  the  chase."  • 

Mr.  Littlejohn,  who  visited  their  breeding  grounds  on  the  Alaskan 
islands,  says  that  on  some  of  the  favorite  islands  the  entire  surface 
was  literally  alive  with  murrelets,  auklets,  and  petrels. 

GENUS   BRACHYRAMPHUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  small  and  slender ;  colors  plain ;  head  not 
crested. 

KEY  TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  to  claw    .     .     .     marmoratus,  p.  15. 
1'.  Tarsus  as  long  as,  or  longer  than,  middle  toe  to  claw. 

hypoleucus,  p.  16. 

23.  Brachyramphus    marmoratus    (GmeL}.      MARBLED    MUR- 
RELET. 

Breeding  Plumage.  —  Upper  parts  dusky,  back  and  sides  barred  with  deep 
rusty  brown  ;  under  parts  white,  mottled  with  sooty  brown.  Winter  plum- 
age: upper  parts  slaty,  with  white 
band  on  back  of  neck ;  scapulars 
mixed  with  white  ;  feathers  of  back 
tipped  with  plumbeous ;  flanks  with 

dark  gray  stripes.      Young :  upper  Fig.  36. 

parts  dusky,  collar  and  scapular  spots  indistinct ;  under  parts  white,  mot- 
tled, or  speckled  with  sooty.     Length :  9.50-10.00,  wing  5,  bill  .60-.70. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  from  southern  California  to  western  Alaska. 


16  AUKS,  MURRES,  AND   PUFFINS 

Mr.  Preble,  who  found  these  murrelets  common  at  Neah  Bay,  Wash- 
ington, reports  that  they  were  almost  invariably  seen  in  pairs  and 
that  they  were  difficult  to  approach,  as  they  dived  at  the  slightest 
alarm. 

25.  Brachyramphus  hypoleucus  Xantus.    XANTUS  MURRELET. 

Upper  parts  plain  dark  slaty ;  under  parts  and  lining  of  wing  pure  white. 
Length :  9.60-10.50,  wing  4.50-5.25,  bill  .70-.80. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  and  Lower  California  from  Santa  Barbara 
Island  to  Cape  St.  Lucas. 

Mr.  Grinnell  writes  from  Los  Angeles  that  this  murrelet  is  fre- 
quently seen  in  the  Santa  Barbara  Channel  at  all  seasons. 

GENUS    CEPPHUS. 

29.  Cepphus  COlumba  Pall.    PIGEON  GUILLEMOT. 

Bill  black,  straight,  and  slender,  upper  edge  of  nostril  feathered ; 
feet  bright  red  in  summer,  pink  in  winter. 
Breeding  plumage :  black,  except  for  large 
white  patch  on  base  of  wing  which  half  in- 
closes a  black  triangle.  Winter  plumage  : 
wings  and  tail  as  in  summer,  rest  of  plum- 
age mainly  white,  varied  above  and  some- 
times below  with  black.  Young  :  similar  to 
winter  adults,  but  white  of  wings  obscured 
by  dusky,  tips  of  quills  marked  with  white. 
Length:  13-14,  wing  6.90-7.30,  bill  1.20-1.40. 
Distribution.  —  Coast  of  the  Pacific  from 
southern  California  to  the  Aleutian  Islands, 
r  37  and  to  northern  Japan. 

Eggs.— As  found  by  Dr.  Dall,  2,  at  the 
bottom  of  a  hole  under  the  rocks  near  the  water's  edge. 

In  Alaska  Mr.  Nelson  found  the  pigeon  guillemot  one  of  the  most 
abundant  of  the  larger  water  birds,  occurring  wherever  the  coast 
was  bordered  by  bold  headlands  or  where  there  were  precipitous 
islands.  He  says  that  their  bright  red  legs  and  white  wing  patches 
make  them  very  conspicuous.  They  are  graceful  swimmers  and 
have  the  amusing  habit  of  putting  their  heads  under  water  and  pad- 
dling along  their  headless  bodies. 

Mr.  Bryant,  who  has  watched  them  at  the  Farallones,  says  that 
when  at  rest  they  squat  like  ducks  on  the  rocks.  Before  brooding 
begins  they  often  sit  in  groups,  and  when  disturbed  stand  up,  open 
their  bills,  and  salute  each  other  or  their  returning  fellows  with  a 
whistling  cry. 

GENUS   UKIA. 

30a.  Uria  troile  californica  (Bryant).    CALIFORNIA  MURRE. 

Bill  narrow  and  slender,  nostril  concealed  in  feathers ;  a  deep  groove  in 
feathers  back  of  eye.  Breeding  plumage :  upper  parts  slaty  or  blackish,  sec- 


JAEGERS  17 

ondaries  tipped  with  white ;  sides  of  head,  neck,  and  throat  velvety  sooty 

brown;  under  parts  pure  white. 

Winter  plumage :  sides  of  head, 

neck,  throat,  and  under  parts 

pure   white ;    a   dusky   stripe 

back    of    eye.       Young:    like  Fig.  38.    California  Murre. 

winter  adults,  but  with  white  more  restricted  on  sides  of  head  and  lower 

throat  faintly  mottled  with  dusky.     Wing :  8.30,  bill  1.86. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  North  America ;  south  to  southern  Cali- 
fornia. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited  on  the  bare  rock. 

The  attention  of  the  ornithological  world  has  been  called  to  the 
murres  by  the  San  Francisco  egg  industry,  which  threatened  to  de- 
stroy the  rookeries  on  the  Farallone  Islands.  Between  1850  and  1856 
three  or  four  millions  of  eggs  are  said  to  have  been  brought  to  San 
Francisco,  where  they  sold  for  a  little  less  than  hens'  eggs.  In  the 
eighties  the  number  of  eggs  marketed  annually,  Mr.  Bryant  states, 
averaged  from  180,000  to  228,000.  This  wholesale  destruction  de- 
creased the  numbers  of  the  murres  to  such  an  extent  that  in  1897 
the  attention  of  the  Lighthouse  Board  was  called  to  the  matter,  and 
they  put  a  stop  to  the  business  on  the  islands. 

The  murres'  eggs  are  considered  a  delicacy  not  only  by  man,  but 
by  gulls  and  young  sea  lions.  Two  or  three  gulls  will  sometimes 
combine  to  rob  a  nest.  When  they  try  to  steal  the  young  the  murres 
crowd  their  little  ones  from  the  rocks  so  they  can  escape  by  diving. 

In  describing  the  habits  of  the  murres  Mr.  Bryant  says  that  on  the 
rocks  they  continually  bow  their  heads  and  make  a  great  noise,  and 
when  on  the  wing  sometimes  emit  a  curious  grunting  note.  They 
are  especially  clamorous  before  a  storm. 

When  incubating,  one  bird  stays  on  the  nest  during  the  day  and 
the  other  during  the  night,  and  when  the  exchange  is  made  a  great 
commotion  ensues,  the  air  being  filled  with  quarreling,  screaming 
masses  of  bird  life. 


ORDER   LONGIPENNES:    LONG-WINGED 
SWIMMERS. 

(FAMILIES  STERCORARIID^,  LARID^:,  ETC.) 

FAMILY   STERCORARIID-5J:   JAEGERS,   ETC. 

GENUS    STEKCORAKIUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  strongly  hooked,  nostrils  near  middle,  section 
above  and  back  of  nostrils  covered  with  a  saddle-like  plate  ;  tail  with 
middle  pair  of  feathers  much  the  longest. 


18  JAEGERS 

KEY   TO    SPECIES   OF   STERCOKARIUS. 

1.  Middle  pair  of  tail  feathers  wide,  and  rounded  at  ends. 

pomarinus,  p.  18. 

1'.  Middle  pair  of  tail  feathers  narrow  and  sharp-pointed. 
2.  Middle  feathers  about  half  longer  than  rest  of  tail. 

parasiticus,  p.  18. 
2'.  Middle  feathers  about  twice  as  long  as  rest  of  tail. 

longicaudus,  p.  18. 

36.  Stercorarius  pomarinus  (Temm.).    POMARINE  JAEGER. 

Adults.  —  Light  phase :  face,  crown,  and  upper  parts,  except  collar,  sooty 
black ;  throat  white,  becoming  silky  yellow  on  cheeks  and  around  back  of 
neck ;  breast  white,  chest  and  sides  mottled  with  sooty.  Dark  phase :  wholly 
dark  sooty  or  plumbeous.  All  grades  are  found  between  the  dark  and 
light  phases.  Young :  back  dusky,  feathers  tipped  with  buff ;  rest  of 
plumage  dull  buff,  barred  with  dusky.  Length  :  20-23,  wing  13.50-14.00, 
tail  8-9,  bill  1.45-1.75. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere  ;  south  in  winter  to 
Africa,  Australia,  and  probably  South  America ;  in  the  United  States  to 
Michigan,  Nebraska,  and  California. 

Mr.  Nelson  found  the  pomarine  jaeger  largely  replacing  the  other 
two  jaegers  along  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Ocean,  especially  on  the 
edge  of  the  ice  pack  and  about  the  whaling  fleet,  where  it  found 
abundant  fare.  He  says  that  the  peculiar  twist  of  its  long  tail 
feathers  makes  it  conspicuous  and  easily  identified  as  far  as  seen. 
When  feeding  it  gives  a  low,  harsh,  chattering  cry. 

Compared  with  the  parasitic  jaeger,-  the  pomarine  is  a  clumsy 
cowardly  bird,  Mr.  Nelson  tells  us,  and  is  made  the  sport  of  its  active 
little  relative.  When  met  in  the  air,  the  pomarine  wards  off  attack 
from  one  side  by  a  half-closed  wing,  and  from  above  by  raising  both 
wings  to  form  an  arched  shield  over  its  back.  One  that  Mr.  Nelson 
saw  attacked  alighted  on  the  river,  and  "at  every  swoop  of  its 
assailant  thrust  its  head  under  water,  exhibiting  the  most  ludicrous 
terror. " 

37.  Stercorarius  parasiticus  (Linn.).    PARASITIC  JAEGER. 

Adults.  —  Light  phase:  upper  parts  slaty,  becoming  blackish  on  crown, 
wings,  and  tail ;  throat  and  under  parts  white ;  sides  of  head  and  neck 
white  or  grayish,  tinged  with  yellow.  Dark  phase :  entire  plumage  slaty 
or  sooty,  darkest  on  crown,  wings,  and  tail.  Young:  head  and  neck 
streaked,  and  under  parts  spotted  and  barred  with  buff  and  dusky.  Length : 
15.50-21.00,  wing  12.67,  tail  7-9,  bill  1.27. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere,  breeding  in  arc- 
tic regions ;  south  in  winter  to  New  York,  Illinois,  Colorado,  and  southern 
California. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  moss.     Eggs :  2. 

38.  Stercorarius  longicaudus  Vieill.     LONG-TAILED  JAEGER. 
Adults.—  Top  and  sides  of  head  black  ;  back  slaty  ;  neck  and  lower  parts 


GULLS  AND  TERNS 


19 


of  head,  including  ear  coverts, 
straw  yellow,  paler  on  throat; 
chest,  and  sometimes  breast  and 
belly,  white,  shading1  into  gray  on 
sides;  under  tail  coverts,  and 
usually  belly,  gray ;  feet  black  ; 
tarsus  light  bluish.  Length  :  20- 
23,  wing-  12.25,  bill  1.19,  longest 
tail  feathers  10.50-14.50. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part 
of  northern  hemisphere,  breed- 
ing- in  arctic  regions  ;  south  in 
winter  to  Florida,  Gulf  of  Mex- 
ico, and  California.  Taken  at 
Monterey  Bay  by  Mr.  Loomis. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited  in  a  depres- 
sion in  the  mossy  top  of  a  knoll. 


Fig.  39.     Long-tailed  Jaeger. 


Fig.  40. 


The  long-tailed  jaeger  is  so  swift  and  graceful  on  the  wing  that 
Mr.  Nelson  compares  its  flight  to  that  of  the  swallow-tailed  kite. 
After  chasing  each  other  about  or  pursuing  hapless  gulls  or  terns, 
the  birds  may  often  be  seen  sunning  themselves  on  an  elevation, 
their  white  breasts  pointing  them  out  at  a  long  distance. 

FAMILY   LARIDJE:  GULLS   AND   TERNS. 

t 

KEY    TO    GENERA. 

1.  Bill   deeper   through   angle    of   lower  mandible  than 
through  nostril. 

2.  Hind  toe  wanting,  or  a  mere  rudiment. 

Rissa,  p.  19. 
2'.  Hind  toe  small  but  perfect. 

3.  Tail  square  across  end    ....     Larus,  p.  20. 

3'.  Tail  deeply  forked Xema,  p.  27. 

1'.  Bill  deeper   through  middle   of  nostril  than  through 
angle  of  lower  mandible. 

2.  Tail  forked  for  more  than  one  fifth  its  length   (ex- 
cept sometimes  in  S.  caspia) ;  outer  feathers  nar- 
row and  pointed. 
3.  Length  of  bill  less  than  three  times  its  depth  at 

base Gelochelidon,  p.  27. 

3'.  Length  of  bill  more  than  three  times  its  depth 

at  base Sterna,  p.  27. 

2'.  Tail  forked   for  about  one    fifth  its   total  length, 
outer  feathers  wide  and  rounded  at  tips. 

Hydrochelidon,  p.  31. 

GENUS    RISSA. 

40a.  Bissa  tridactyla  pollicaris  Ridgw.    PACIFIC  KITTIWAKE. 

Appearance  gull-like  ;  hind  toe  minute,  with  or  without  a  nail ;  feet 


Fig.  41. 


20  GULLS   AND  TERNS 

and  legs  black  ;  tarsus  .shorter  than  middle  toe  with  claw  ;  bill  yellow, 
with  greatest  depth  at  base  ;  tail  slightly  emarginate,  or  forked.  Adults  : 
back  and  wings  light  bluish  gray,  n' ve  outer  primaries  tipped  with  black ; 
rest  of  plumage  pure  white.  Young :  like  adults,  but  with  black  or  slaty 
on  back  of  neck  and  across  ear  coverts.  Length  :  16.00-17.70,  wing  12.25, 
bill  1.40-1.50. 

Distribution.  —  North  Pacific  and  Bering  Sea;  south  in  winter  casually 
to  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  On  inaccessible  shelves  of  rock,  made  of  grass  and  moss  cemented 
with  mud.  Eggs :  usually  2,  gray,  spotted  with  brown. 

The  kittiwakes  reach  Alaska  before  the  ice  breaks  up,  and  hunt 
for  food  in  the  tide  cracks  along  shore.  In  the  breeding  season 
they  take  to  the  cliffs  of  the  mainland  or  the  rocky  islands.  From 
the  end  of  August  they  hunt  in  the  inner  bays  and  mouths  of  small 
streams,  but  as  they  are  strictly  tide-water  birds  rarely  go  up  the 
rivers.  In  October  the  ice  forming  on  the  bays  drives  them  south. 

GENUS    LARUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  deeper  through  angle  of  lower  mandible  than 
through  nostril ;  tail  square  across  end  ;  hind  toe  small  but  perfect. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Siae  large,  wing  15.00  or  more. 
2.  Wing  without  any  black. 

3.  Quills  white  or  pale  gray  shading  to  white  at  ends. 

glaucus,  p.  21. 

3'.  Quills  clear  gray  with  white  tips     ....  glaucescens,  p.  21. 
2'.  Wing  quills  partly  black  at  all  times. 

3.  Mantle  dark  slaty  gray  in  adult occidentalis,  p.  21. 

3'.  Mantle  light  gray  in  adults. 

4.  Lower  mandible  in  adult  with  subterminal  spot  of  red  and  spot  of 

black californicus,  p.  23. 

4'.  Lower  mandible  in  adult  with  subterminal  spot  of  red  only. 

5.  Mantle  delicate  pearl  gray argent  at  us,*  p.  22. 

5'.  Mantle  slightly  darker  gray vegae,  p.  23. 

I'.Size  medium  or  small,  wing  under  15  (rarely  over  in  delawarensis) . 

2.  Breast  always  dark  slaty  gray heermanni,  p.  24. 

2'.  Breast  always  white  in  adult,  mottled  in  young. 
3.  Head  never  black  ;  white  in  adults. 

4.  Bill  yellowish,  with  black  band  near  end  in  adults. 

delawarensis,  p.  23. 
4'.  Bill  greenish,  without  black  band. 

5.  Third  quill  with  subterminal  white  spot  in  adult. 

brachyrhynchus,  p.  24. 
5'.  Third  quill  without  subterminal  white  spot  in  adult. 

canus,  p  24. 
3'.  Head  black  in  summer  adults,  size  small. 

4.  Bill  and  tips  of  outer  quills  black     .     .     Philadelphia,  p.  26. 
4'.  Bill  dark  red  in  adult,  quills  not  tipped  with  black. 

5.  Three  outer  quills  mainly  black     ....     atricilla,  p.  25. 
5'.  Five  outer  quills  with  tips  and  base  white  .  franklinii,  p.  25. 


GULLS  AND  TERNS  21 

42.  Larus  glaucus  Brlinn.     GLAUCOUS  GULL. 

Primaries  white  or  light  gray,  shading1  into  white  at  ends.  Adults  in 
summer:  mantle,  i.  e.  back  and  top  of  wings,  light  pearl  gray;  rest  of 
plumage  white.  Adults  in  winter  :  head  and  neck  streaked  with  grayish. 
Young :  whitish,  tinged,  below  and  mottled  above  with  brownish  gray. 
Length  :  26-32,  wing  16.75-18.75,  bill  2.30-2.70. 

Distribution.  —  Arctic  regions ;  in  North  America  south  in  winter  to 
North  Carolina,  the  Great  Lakes,  and  San  Francisco  Bay.  Not  common  in 
the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  a  ledge  of  rock,  lined  scantily  with  fine  grass,  or 
a  bulky  mass  of  sod  and  tufts  of  moss  on  an  islet  in  a  pond.  Eggs :  2  or  3. 

The  glaucous  gull  has  been  found  by  Mr.  Loomis  at  Monterey, 
and  by  Dr.  Cooper  and  Mr.  Kobbe  in  San  Francisco  Bay. 

44.  Larus  glaucescens  Naum.    GLAUCOUS-WINGED  GULL. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Mantle  light  pearl  gray  ;  primaries  gray,  with  dis- 
tinct white  tips  ;  rest  of  plumage  white.  Adults  in  winter:  head  and  neck 
clouded  with  sooty  gray.  Young:  deep  ashy  gray;  head  and  neck 
streaked,  and  rest  of  upper  parts  mottled  with  grayish  white  or  dull  buff. 
Length:  23.70-27.75,  wing  16.25-17.30,  bill  2.20-2.60,  depth  of  bill  at 
angle  .80-.90. 

Distribution.  —  From  Bering  Sea  south  in  winter  to  southern  California 
and  Japan. 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  the  face  of  a  rugged  cliff,  but  sometimes  in  grass  on 
grassy  islands,  or  a  depression  in  seaweed.  Eggs :  3. 

Mr.  Kobbe  says  that  the  glaucous-winged  gulls  are  abundant  in 
San  Francisco  Bay  in  winter,  and  Mr.  Loomis  has  found  them  com- 
mon in  Monterey  Bay.  Mr.  Loomis  says  they  make  up  the  greater 
number  of  gulls  in  the  large  trains  of  gulls  and  pelicans  that  attend 
the  whales  that  come  into  the  bay.  Near  the  ocean,  in  the  Carmel 
valley,  lie  has  found  them  in  company  with  western  gulls  following 
the  plough  like  blackbirds. 

At  Gray's  Harbor,  Washington,  Mr.  Lawrence  says  the  gulls  are 
very  common  from  fall  until  late  spring.  During  the  salmon  runs 
they  often  fly  thirty  miles  to  feed  on  the  dead  salmon  along  the 
streams,  returning  to  the  harbor  to  roost.  The  gulls  also  visit  the 
salmon  canneries  to  feed  on  the  refuse. 

49.  Larus  occidentalis  Aud.    WESTERN  GULL. 

Adults  in  summer.  — Mantle  dark  slaty  gray  ;  primaries,  including  inner 
webs  of  first,  second,  and  usually  third  black,  tipped  with  white ;  rest  of 
plumage  white.  Adults  in  winter :  top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  streaked 
with  dusky.  Young :  upper  parts  brownish  slaty,  varied  with  buff  and 
whitish ;  quills  and  tail  dull  black,  usually  tipped  with  white ;  under  parts 
brownish  gray,  specked  or  spotted  with  whitish.  Length :  24-27,  wing 
15.75-17.00,  bill  2.00-2.35,  depth  of  bill  at  angle  .S5-.95. ' 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  from  British  Columbia  to  Cape  St.  Lucas. 
Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  seaweed.  Eggs ;  usually  3,  light  grayish  olive, 
spotted  with  shades  of  brown  and  lilac. 


22  GULLS  AND   TERNS 

The  western  gull  is  abundant  on  the  California  coast  at  all  seasons. 
At  San  Pedro  harbor  it  is  protected  by  law  as  a  useful  scavenger, 
and  at  Monterey  Bay  is  so  fearless  that  the  young  will  alight  within  a 
few  feet  of  the  fishing  boats  to  get  what  the  fishermen  throw  out. 

On  the  Farallone  Islands  the  birds  assume  another  role.  As  Mr. 
Loomis  says,  "  a  more  vagabond  set  of  gulls  than  the  western  gulls 
inhabiting  South  Farallone  Island  during  the  egg  season  could 
scarcely  be  found.  They  are  arrant  thieves,  robbing  the  murres 
wherever  they  have  the  opportunity."  Before  the  murre  egg  indus- 
try was  stopped  they  took  an  excited  part  in  the  collections.  Mr. 
Loomis,  speaking  of  it  at  the  time,  says  that  "when  the  eggers 
appear  on  the  scenes  the  gulls  congregate  and  soon  a  large  flock  is 
formed,  circling  about  overhead  with  loud  cries,  eagerly  waiting  the 
flight  of  the  murres  to  join  in  the  pillage.  When  exceptionally 
hungry  the  gulls  are  said  to  suddenly  descend  in  a  compact  flock 
among  the  murres,  frightening  them  "from  the  eggs.  One  gull  was 
seen  trying  to  steal  an  egg  from  under  a  murre.  The  murre  gave  a 
reproachful  squack  and  with  a  thrust  of  the  bill  drove  the  gull 
away." 

But  though  the  gulls  enjoyed  the  raids  of  the  eggers,  they  suf- 
fered by  thqm,  for  before  the  murres  began  to  lay,  the  men  took 
gulls'  eggs  to  supply  the  market ;  and  when  the  murre  harvest  was 
ripe,  recognizing  the  gulls  as  rival  eggers,  the  men  destroyed  both 
their  eggs  and  young.  In  addition  to  fish  and  eggs,  the  gulls  eat 
sea-urchins,  crabs,  young  murres,  and  rabbits. 

They  congregate  at  South  Farallone  Island  the  first  of  April,  Mr. 
Bryant  tells  us,  and  proceed  to  nest  in  small  colonies.  It  takes  them 
two  weeks  to  repair  their  old  nests,  and  even  after  the  first  egg  is 
laid  they  may  be  seen  carrying  Farallone  weed  to  the  nest. 

61.  Lams  argentatus  Briinn.    HERRING  GULL. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Mantle  delicate  pearl  gray  ;  five  outer  primaries 
black  toward  ends,  and  tipped  with  white ;  a  distinct  gray  wedge  on  inner 
web  of  second  quill ;  rest  of  plumage  white  ;  bill  yellow,  with  red  spot  near 
end  of  lower  mandible  ;  feet  pale  flesh  color.  Adults  in  winter  :  head  and 
neck  streaked  with  grayish.  Young:  brownish  gray;  head  and  neck 
streaked  with  white  ;  back  mottled  with  buffy  and  gray ;  quills  and  tail 
blackish ;  bill  dusky,  feet  purplish.  Length  :  22.50-26.00,  wing  17.24,  bill 
2.24,  depth  of  bill  through  angle  of  lower  mandible  .68-.8S. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  hemisphere,  including  the  whole  of  North 
America ;  south  in  winter  to  Cuba  and  Lower  California ;  breeding  from 
the  Great  Lakes  northward.  • 

Nest.  —  On  rocks  or  in  trees,  made  mainly  of  grass,  seaweed,  and  earth. 
Eggs :  usually  8,  from  pale  olive  drab  to  greenish  or  bluish  white,  irregu- 
larly spotted  with  lilac,  yellowish,  or  brown,  markings  usually  thickest 
about  larger  end. 

The  herring  gulls  are  abundant  in  the  bays  of  San  Francisco  and 


GULLS  AND  TERNS  23 

Monterey  in  winter  and  common  down  the  coast  to  San  Diego.  In 
the  harbors  they  alight  on  the  masts  and  fly  about  the  vessels,  often 
following  them  thirty  or  forty  miles  from  land.  Their  name  probably 
comes  from  the  commotion  they  make  at  sight  of  a  school  of  herring 
or  other  little  fish.  As  they  follow  the  small  fry  about,  the  fishermen 
often  take  them  for  pilots  and  follow  to  get  the  larger  fish  which  are 
in  pursuit  of  the  little  ones. 

52.  Larus  vegse  (Palmen).    VEGA  GULL. 

Like  argentatus,  but  mantle  darker,  deep  pearl  or  plumbeous  gray  ;  feet 
pale  flesh  color.  Size  about  as  in  argentatus. 

Distribution.  —  Central  Asia  to  Japan  and  Bering1  Sea,  and  down  the 
coast  of  North  America  in  winter  to  California. 

Mr.  Kobbe,  in  The  Auk  (xix.  19),  after  examining  a  large  num- 
ber of  specimens,  concludes  that  vegce  and  argentatus  are  identical, 
but  as  there  is  a  difference  of  opinion  as  to  its  validity,  the  species 
is  included  on  what  seems  to  be  its  only  character,  the  slightly 
darker  mantle. 

53.  Larus  calif ornicus  Lawr.    CALIFORNIA  GULL. 

Adults. — Mantle  clear  bluish  gray;  outer  primaries  black,  tipped  with 
white,  the  first  two  with  subterminal  white  spots;  a  distinct  gray  wedg'e 
on  inner  web  of  second  ;  bill  yellow,  with  red  and  black  spot  near  end 
of  lower  mandible  ;  feet  greenish.  Young :  upper  parts  coarsely  spotted 
and  mottled  with  dusky,  buffy,  grayish,  and  whitish  ;  under  parts  mottled 
and  streaked ;  quills  and  tail  blackish  ;  bill  dusky,  with  black  tip.  Length : 
20-23,  wing  15.00-16.75,  bill  1.65-2.15,  depth  of  bill  at  angle  .60-.75. 

Distribution  .  —  Western  North  America  from  Alaska  to  Mexico,  chiefly 
in  the  interior. 

Mr.  Loomis  says  that  in  the  matter  of  numbers  near  Monterey  in 
midwinter  the  California  gull  ranks  with  its  larger  congeners  the 
glaucous-winged  and  the  western.  Mr.  Grinnell  finds  it  common 
along  the  southern  coast,  where  it  frequents  the  fresh-water  marshes, 
and  he  has  seen  it  on  the  Los  Angeles  river-bottoms.  At  Pescadero 
in  the  low  fields  near  the  ocean  hundreds  have  been  seen  following 
the  plough. 

54.  Larus  delawarensis  Ord.    RING-BILLED  GULL. 

Adults.  —  Mantle  light  pearl  gray  ;  bill  greenish  yellow,  crossed  near  end 
by  a  distinct  black  band,  tip  yellow  or  orange  ;  eyelids  vermilion,  iris  pale 
yellow  ;  feet  pale  yellow,  sometimes  tinged  with  greenish.  Young  :  upper 
parts  dusky,  feathers  bordered  and  marked  with  grayish  buff  or  whitish  ; 
under  parts  white,  spotted  along  sides  with  grayish  brown  ;  quills  blackish, 
the  shorter  ones -gray  at  base  and  tipped  with  white  ;  base  of  tail  gray, 
outer  half  blackish,  tipped  with  white.  Length :  18-20,  wing  13.60-15.75, 
bill  1.55-1.75,  depth  at  angle  of  lower  mandible  .50-.65. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  as  far  south  as 
Colorado,  but  mainly  north  of  the  United  States  ;  migrating  south  to  Cuba 
and  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  made  of  dry  grass.     Eggs :  usually  3. 


24  GULLS  AND   TERNS 

Mr.  Grinnell  reports  the  ring-billed  gull  as  tolerably  common  along 
the  coast  in  midwinter,  and  Mr.  Looinis  has  taken  a  few  at  Monterey. 
In  Colorado  they  are  the  only  gulls  found  abundantly  throughout 
the  state.  Professor  Cooke  says  they  are  very  common  in  the  fall 
migration  on  all  bodies  of  water  below  9000  feet,  and  he  has  found 
them  breeding  at  the  San  Luis  Lakes  at  an  altitude  of  7500  feet. 

Colonel  Goss  says  that  he  has  often  seen  the  gulls  on  fall  after- 
noons sailing  and  circling  about  in  the  air,  catching  grasshoppers  and 
beetles. 

55.  Larus  brachyrhynchus  Rich.    SHORT-BILLED  GULL. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Mantle  light  pearl  gray  ;  rest  of  plumage,  except 
quills,  white  ;  outer  primary  mainly  black,  with  a  large  white  spot  near 
end ;  second  primary  with  a  smaller  white  spot,  white  tip,  and  wedge  of 
gray  on  inner  web ;  third  with  white  tip  and  a  large  white  space  on  inner 
web  between  gray  and  black ;  bill  greenish,  with  yellow  tip ;  feet  and  legs 
greenish.  Adults  in  winter:  head,  neck,  and  chest  mottled  with  dusky. 
Young :  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  feathers  bordered  with  pale  grayish 
buff ;  head,  neck,  and  lower  parts  brownish  gray ;  tail  gray  at  base, 
brownish  gray  toward  end,  and  narrowly  tipped  with  white.  Length: 
16.50-18.00,  wing  13.95,  bill  1.45,  depth  of  bill  at  angle  .40-.50. 

Distribution.  —  Western  North  America,  breeding  far  north;  south  in 
winter  to  southern  California. 

Nest .  —  On  an  islet,  in  a  lake  or  pond,  bulky,  made  of  grasses  and 
Eggs :  2  or  8. 


Mr.  Loomis  has  found  the  short-billed  gull  common  on  both  the 
bay  and  ocean  about  Point  Pinos  in  winter. 

56.  Larus  canus  Linn.    MEW  GULL. 

Adults.  —  Similar  in  general  appearance  to  brachyrhynchus,  but  with  inner 
webs  of  two  outer  quills  mainly  black  behind  the  subterminal  white  spots, 
and  third  quill  mainly  black  except  for  small  white  tip.  Length :  17.00- 
18.50,  wing  14.CO-14.50,  bill  1.35-1.60,  depth  of  bill  at  angle  .38-.50. 

Distribution.  — Northern  Europe  and  Asia  ;  found  in  Labrador  (?)  and  at 
San  Francisco  Bay. 

The  mew  gull  was  formerly  supposed  to  be  confined  almost 
entirely  to  Europe  and  Asia,  but  Mr.  Loomis  finds  that  it  is  common 
on  the  California  coast  in  winter. 

57.  Larus  heermanni  Cass.    HEERMANN  GULL. 

Adults.  —  Bill  bright  red  with  black  tip ;  feet  and  ring  around  eye  red ; 
^-^-.;  head  and  upper  neck  white ; 

back  sooty  gray,  secondaries 
tipped  with  white  ;  prima- 
ries  and  tail  black,  tail 
tipped  with  white;  under 
parts  dark  gray.  Young: 

bill  brownish;  body  sooty  gray,  feathers  of  upper  parts  bordered  with 
whitish  or  pale  buff ;  or,  entire  plumage  sooty  gray  except  blackish  tail 
and  quills.  Length  :  17.50-21.00,  wing  13.50,  bill  1.50. 


GULLS  AND  TERNS  25 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  North  America  from  British  Columbia 
to  Panama. 

Heermann  gulls  are  generally  common  winter  visitors  in  southern 
California.  At  Monterey  Mr.  Loomis  has  taken  careful  notes  of 
their  migratory  movements.  In  May  they  were  rare,  in  June  adults 
were  still  scarce,  but  the  latter  half  of  the  month  immature  birds 
were  common.  By  the  middle  of  July  adults  were  abundant,  and 
before  August  there  was  a  great  inroad  of  the  dark-plumaged  birds. 
Toward  the  end  of  August  the  western  and  Heermann  gulls  appeared 
to  be  of  about  equal  abundance,  and  in  November  their  nights 
rivaled  or  exceeded  those  of  the  western  gull. 

Mr.  Grinnell  says  that  on  the  coast  near  Los  Angeles  where  the 
fishermen  draw  their  seines  along  the  beaches,  clouds  of  gulls  are 
usually  attracted,  about  half  of  the  flocks  being  Heermann  and  a 
quarter  western  gulls. 

68.  Lams  atricilla  Linn.    LAUGHING  GuLL.1 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Head  slaty  black,  mantle  bluish  gray ;  rest  of  plum- 
age, except  quills,  white  ;  three  outer  quills  black,  the  fourth  and  fifth 
black  towards  ends,  all  but  first  usually  with  very  small  white  spot  at  tip  ; 
bill  and  feet  dark  red.  Adults  in  winter  :  head  mainly  white  with  dusky 
around  eyes  and  on  back  of  head.  Young  :  upper  parts  mottled  grayish 
brown  ;  breast  smoky  gray  ;  upper  tail  coverts  white,  base  of  tail  gray, 
outer  third  black,  narrowly  tipped  with  whitish;  wing  quills  black. 
Length:  15-17,  wing  13,  bill  1.75,  tarsus  2. 

Remarks.  —  The  young  of  the  laughing  gull  may  be  distinguished  from 
Franklin  and  Bonaparte  by  its  large  size,  longer  bill,  and  wider  black  tail 
band. 

Distribution.  —  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coast  of  United  States  and  Pacific 
coast  of  Mexico ;  south  in  winter  to  the  Amazon.  Recorded  from  Col- 
orado. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  four  to  twenty  feet  from  the  ground,  generally  made 
of  small  sticks,  lined  with  hay  and  moss. 

59.  Larus  franklinii  Sw.  $-  Rich.    FRANKLIN  GULL. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Bill 
bright  red,  with  darker  sub- 
terminal  band ;  head  plum- 
beous black ;  eyelids  white  ; 
mantle  dark  slaty ;  quills 
gray,  tipped  with  white,  the 
five  outer  with  subterminal 
black  spaces ;  under  parts 
white,  deeply  tinted  with  rose 
pink.  Adults  in  winter:  head 
mainly  white,  with  sides  and 
back  grayish  dusky.  Young  : 
top  and  sides  of  head  and 
back  grayish  brown  ;  quills 
dusky,  tipped  with  white ;  tail  Fig.  43. 

1  All  the  black-headed  gulls  are  flushed  with  pink  in  spring. 


26 


GULLS   AND   TERNS 


Fig.  44.     Wing  of  Franklin  Gull. 


with  subterminal  band  of  dusky  ;  rest  (/ 
tail,  under  parts,  forehead,  and  eyelids- 
white.  Length:  13.50-15.00,  wing  11.25 
bill  1.30,  tarsus  1.60. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  of  North 
America,  breeding1  from  Iowa  north  into 
Canada ;  migrating  south  to  Peru. 

Nest.  —  On  broken-down  rushes  in  shal- 
low water,  made  largely  of  grasses  and 
rushes.  Eggs :  usually  3. 


In  the  northern  plains  and  prairie  country  Franklin  gulls  are  of 
the  greatest  economic  importance,  the  immense  flocks  living  mainly 
on  grasshoppers  and  other  destructive  insects.  At  times  a  white 
horde  will  descend  upon  a  ploughed  field,  a  band  of  them  following 
at  the  heels  of  the  ploughman,  while  long  white  lines  cover  the 
mellow  furrows.  Recognizing  the  ploughman  as  a  friend,  the  birds 
only  get  out  of  his  way  to  let  him  pass,  waiting  for  him  to  turn  up 
a  fresh  supply  of  food  for  them.  They  walk  in  the  furrows  or 
hover  low  over  the  ground,  diving  quickly  to  pick  up  any  squirm- 
ing morsel,  either  insect  or  rodent,  that  has  been  unearthed  by  the 
plow.  One  often  sees  flocks  of  fifty  to  five  hundred  catching  grass- 
hoppers on  the  wing,  wheeling,  diving,  and  rising,  till  at  a  distance 
the  white  flock  suggests  a  wild  flurry  of  snowflakes.  When  the 
meal  is  over  the  birds  disband,  to  scatter  out  among  the  sloughs, 
drift  on  lazy  wings  over  the  lakes,  or  float  idly  on  the  surface  of  the 
water.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

60.  Larus  Philadelphia  (Ord).     BONAPARTE  GULL. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Bill  and  head  black  ;  mantle  delicate  pearl  gray  ; 
three  outer  quills  chiefly  white,  outer 
web  of  the  first,  and  terminal  portion  of 
all,  black  ;  tail  and  under  parts  white  ; 
feet  orange  red.  Adults  in  winter  :  head 
white,  tinged  with  gray  behind  and  with 
a  dusky  spot  on  ear  coverts  ;  feet  pale 
flesh  color.  Young  :  top  of  head,  back, 
and  spot  on  ear  coverts  dusky  ;  sides  of 
head,  neck,  and  under  parts  white,  in- 
cluding tail  coverts  and  base  of  tail; 
Length  :  12- 


Fig.  45. 


band  across  end  of  tail  blackish,  feathers  tipped  with  white. 
14.  wing  10.25,  bill  1.20. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  breeding  far  northward  ;  south  to  western 
Mexico. 

Mr.  Henshaw  states  that  the  Bonaparte  gull  is  not  uncommon  in 
San  Diego  Bay  in  December,  though  he  thinks  it  winters  mainly  to 
the  southward. 

Mr.  Looinis  has  seen  the  gulls  at  Monterey  during  their  migrations 
in  November  and  May.  He  says  that  "although  white-throated 
birds  with  the  tail-band  were  in  the  majority,  and  pied-headed  ones 


GULLS   AND  TERNS  27 

were  plentiful,  every  flock  had  adults  in  nuptial  plumage,  showing 
that  the  young  are  not  without  experienced  leaders  on  the  return 
north." 

GENUS   XEMA. 

62.  Xema  sabinii  (Sab.).    SABINE  GULL. 

Bill  gull-like,  tail  conspicuously  forked,  the  feathers  rounded,  not  nar- 
row and  pointed  at  ends.  Adults  in  summer  :  head  and  upper 
neck  dark  plumbeous,  bordered  below  by  a  black  collar ;  man- 
tie  slaty  gray  ;  tail  and  middle  of  wing  white ;  outer  quills- 
Fig.  4G.  black,  with  inner  webs  and  tips  white  ;  under  parts  white  ; 
bill  black,  tipped  with  yellow.  Adults  in  winter  :  head  and 
neck  white,  with  dusky  on  ear  coverts 
and  back  of  head.  Young :  like  winter 
adults,  but  mantle  brownish,  feathers 
with  buffy  or  grayish  edges  ;  tail  with 
a  subterminal  black  band,  white  tip  FiS-  47- 

and  base;  bill  black.  Length:  13-14,  wing  10.10-11.15,  bill  1.00,  tail 
4.50-5.00,  fork  .60-1.00  deep. 

Distribution.  —  Arctic  regions  of  North  America  ;  south  in  winter  to 
Peru.  Not  common  in  the  United  States,  but  recorded  from  many  scat- 
tered localities. 

Eggs.  —  Laid  on  the  ground,  or  on  a  few  grass  blades  and  stems  ;  2  to  5, 
olive,  indistinctly  spotted  with  brown. 

GENUS   GELOCHELIDON. 

63.  Gelochelidon  nilotica  (Hasselq.).     GULL-BILLED  TERN. 
Bill  stout,  depth  at  base  equal  to  one  third  of  its  length ;  tail  forked. 

Adults  in  summer  :  top  and  back  of  head  black  ;  upper  parts  light  pearl 
gray ;  lower  parts  white ;  bill  black ;  feet  and  legs  blackish.  Adults  in 
winter :  head  and  neck  white  ;  ear  coverts  and  spot  in  front  of  eye  gray. 
Young :  similar  to  winter  adults,  but  upper  parts  washed  with  buffy  and 
sometimes  streaked  with  dusky.  Length:  13.00-15.25,  wing  11.75-12.25, 
bill  1.40,  tail  5.50,  forked  for  1.50-1.75. 

Distribution.  —  Almost  cosmopolitan.  In  America  from  Brazil  to  Massa- 
chusetts along  the  Atlantic  coast,  and  both  coasts  of  Mexico  and  Central 
America  ;  rare  inland. 

GENUS    STERNA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  slender  and  sharp  ;  tail  deeply  forked,  the 
outer  feathers  narrowed  or  sharp-pointed  ;  wings  very  long  and  slender. 

KEY  TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Black  feathers  of  crown  elongated  into  a  crest. 

2.  Size  large,  wing  14-15 maxima,  p.  28. 

2'.  Size  smaller,  wing  12.40-12.50 elegans,  p.  29. 

1'.  Head  not  crested. 

2.  Size  large,  feet  black caspia,  p.  28. 

2'.  Size  small,  feet  red,  orange,  or  yellow. 

3.  Crown  and  forehead  black  in  summer  adults,  wing  over  9. 

4.  Outer  web  of  outer  tail  feather  white      .     .     .      forsteri,  p.  29. 
4'.  Outer  web  of  outer  tail  feather  dusky. 

5.  Bill  orange,  with  black  tip     .     .     ...     .    hirundo,  p.  29. 

5'.  Bill  carmine,  without  black  tip       ...    paradisaea,  p.  30. 
3'.  Forehead  always  white,  wing  under  7   ...    antillarum,  p.  30. 


28 


GULLS  AND  TERNS 

Subgenus    Thalasseus. 


64.  Sterna  caspia  Pall.    CASPIAN  TERN. 

Tail  not  very  deeply  forked,  the  outer  feathers  pointed,  but  not  much 
narrowed;  bill  red,  feet  black.  Breeding  plumage :  crown  and  back  of 
head  .black;  mantle  light  gray;  wings  darker  gray,  the  outer  quills  tipped 


Fig.  48. 

with  black.  Winter  plumage:  black  of  head  streaked  with  white.  Young  : 
crown  grayish,  mixed  with  black  posteriorly ;  back  and  tail  feathers  with 
dusky  spots.  Length :  19.00-22.50,  wing  15.00-17.40,  bill  2.48-3.10,  tail 
5.30-6.75,  forked  for  .75-1.60. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  at  large,  breeding  in  isolated  localities. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  in  the  sand.     Eggs :  usually  3. 

But  for  their  long  wings,  slender  forms,  and  forked  tails,  the  Cas- 
pians,  the  largest  of  our  terns,  could  easily  be  mistaken  for  gulls. 
Their  flight  is  quicker  and  stronger,  however,  and  their  black  crowns 
usually  conspicuous.  They  are  eminently  social  in  the  breeding 
season,  nesting  in  large  colonies,  and  it  is  no  uncommon  sight  to  see 
several  hundred  of  them  lined  up  on  a  sandy  lake  beach,  with  the 
waves  rippling  in  at  their  feet.  After  the  breeding  season  they  scat- 
ter out  and  wander  widely  over  the  country.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

Subgenus   Actochelidon. 

65.  Sterna  maxima  Bodd.    ROYAL  TERN. 

Crest  of  long  pointed  feathers  on  back  of  head ;  tail  long  and  forked  for 
half  its  length  ;  inner  webs  of  quills  broadly  margined  with  white  ;  bill 
orange  red,  feet  black.  Breeding  plumage  :  upper  parts  light  pearl  gray, 
top  and  back  of  head,  including  crest,  black ;  under  parts  white.  Post- 
breeding  plumage  :  forehead  and  fore  part  of  crown  white.  Winter  plum- 
age :  white  mixed  with  black  on  back  of  head.  Young  :  crown  speckled 
with  white  and  dusky,  crest  only  slightly  developed;  upper  parts  and 
tail  feathers  with  spots  of  dusky."  Length :  18-21,  wing  14-15,  bill  2.40- 
2.75,  tail  6-8,  forked  for  3-4. 

Distribution.  —  Coasts  and  larger  lakes  of  the  United  States,  mainly 
southward. 


FORSTER  TERN 


GULLS  AND  TERNS  29 

Mr.  Loomis  has  found  the  royal  tern  decidedly  common  at  times 
during  the  winter  at  Monterey,  and  Mr.  Grinnell  reports  it  as  very 
numerous  around  Catalina  Island  in  winter,  and  more  or  less  com- 
mon along  the  coast  throughout  the  year. 

66.  Sterna  elegans  Gamb.    ELEGANT  TERN. 

Like  S.  maxima,  but  smaller,  with  longer  crest,  and  under  parts  deeply 
tinged  with  rose  pink.  Length :  16-17,  wing  12.40-12.50,  bill  2.25-2.55, 
tail  6.60-7.30,  forked  for  about  2.60-3.50. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  middle  America,  and  north  to  San 
Francisco. 

Mr.  Loomis  has  found  the  elegant  terns  at  Monterey  in  autumn, 
but  in  smaller  numbers  than  the  royal  tern. 

Subgenus   Sterna. 

69.  Sterna  forsteri  Nutt.    FORSTER  TERN. 

Outer  tail  feathers  very  narrow  and  long.  Adults  in  summer:  under 
parts  white  ;  upper  parts  light  pearl  gray,  top  of  head  black  ;  outer  web  of 
outer  tail  feather  white ;  feet  orange  red,  bill  dull  orange,  dusky  at  tip. 
Adults  in  winter:  top  of  head  white,  back  of  head  tinged  with  gray,  a 
dusky  stripe  around  eye  and  across  ear  coverts ;  bill  and  feet  duller 
colored.  Young:  upper  parts,  crown,  and  sides  of  head  washed  with  brown- 
ish ;  tail  feathers  dusky  toward  ends.  Length :  14-15,  wing  9.50-10.30, 
bill  1.50-1.65,  tail  5.00-7.70,  forked  for  2.30-5.00. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  United  States  north  to  Manitoba,  south  in 
winter  to  Brazil. 

Nest.  —  A  hollow  in  the  sand  lined  with  grasses,  or  a  rude  nest  in  marsh 
grass  or  on  raft  of  floating  tule  stems.  Eggs :  1  to  3,  bluish  green  to 
olive  buff,  marked  with  lilac  and  brown. 

Low  over  the  lakes,  sloughs,  and  big  tule  marshes,  you  see  these 
graceful  terns  beating  the  air  with  long,  soft  strokes  of  their  narrow 
wings,  while  the  sharp  bill  points  downward,  and  the  eyes  are 
intent  on  the  surface  of  the  water.  If  a  minnow  shows  so  much  as 
a  fin,  there  is  a  quick  dive,  a  splash,  and  a  gulp  —  the  minnow  has 
disappeared  and  the  tern  is  beating  over  the  water  again,  now  skim- 
ming close  to  the  surface,  now  lighting  daintily  on  it  to  pick  up 
some  choice  morsel.  Sometimes  a  large  number  of  terns  are  at- 
tracted by  a  school  of  minnows,  and  an  animated  diving  and  splash- 
ing ensues.  Enter  the  terns'  breeding  grounds,  or  wound  one  of  their 
number,  and  the  airy  creatures,  all  soft  silent  grace  before,  storm 
about  you  with  threatening  swoops  and  harsh,  piercing  screams. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

70.  Sterna  hirundo  Linn.    COMMON  TERN. 

Outer  web  of  outer  tail  feather  dusky,  inner  web  white.  Adults  in  sum- 
mer :  bill  and  feet  bright  orange  red,  the  bill  tipped  with  black ;  top  of 
head  black ;  mantle  light  pearl  gray ;  tail  and  its  coverts  mainly  white  ; 
throat  white,  breast  light  gray.  Adults  in  winter :  crown  mainly  white  ; 
under  parts  pure  white ;  bill  and  feet  duller.  Young :  marked  with 


30  GULLS  AND  TERNS 

blackish  around  eyes  and  on  back  of  head ;  forehead  and  under  parts 
white  ;  back  light  gray  with  buffy  edgings  to  feathers  and  dusky  spots  on 
wings  ;  bill  and  feet  brownish  or  pale  reddish.  Length :  13-16,  wing  9.75- 
11.75,  bill  1.25-1.50,  tail  5-7,  forked  for  about  3.50. 

Distribution.  —  Greater  part  of  northern  hemisphere  ;  in  America  mainly 
east  of  the  plains ;  south  to  Florida,  Texas,  Arizona,  and  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  Made  of  grasses  or  seaweeds,  or  eggs  laid  on  the  bare  rock,  or  in  a 
depression  in  the  sand.  Eggs :  2  to  4,  pale  bluish  to  greenish  drab,  with 
lilac  shell  markings  and  rather  evenly  distributed  spots  of  brown. 

The  common  terns  are  mainly  birds  of  the  Atlantic  coast,  and 
together  with  other  terns  and  gulls  have  been  so  sought  after  by 
plume  hunters  and  eggers  that  a  few  years  ago  they  were  on  the  road 
to  extermination.  The  Bird  Protection  Committee  of  the  American 
Ornithologists'  Union  took  up  the  matter,  however,  and  by  the  ap- 
pointment of  wardens  to  protect  the  birds  on  their  breeding  grounds, 
and  by  protective  laws  enacted  in  the  states  where  the  terns  occur, 
succeeded  in  rescuing  the  birds,  which,  in  addition  to  their  useful 
work  as  scavengers,  give  life  and  beauty  to  otherwise  barren  shores. 

71.  Sterna  paradissea  Br'unn.    ARCTIC  TERN. 

Outer  web  of  outer  tail  feather  dusky,  rest  of  tail  white.  Adults  in 
summer :  bill  carmine,  feet  vermilion,  bill  without  black  tip  ;  top  of  head 
black,  bordered  by  white  superciliary ;  body  clear  deep  gray.  Adults  in 
winter  :  under  parts  white,  or  tinged  with  grayish  ;  forehead  white,  rest  of 
crown  streaked  with  black.  Young  :  similar  to  young  of  hirundo,  but  with 
breast  and  throat  washed  with  dull  brownish.  Length :  14-17,  wing  10.00- 
10.75,  bill  1.08-1.40,  tail  6.50-8.50,  forked  for  4-5. 

Distribution.  —  Mainly  circumpolar  regions ;  south  in  winter  to  Massa- 
chusetts, Colorado,  and  California,  breeding  in  Massachusetts  and  Quebec. 

Nest.  —  A  bare  spot  on  the  ground,  sometimes  with  a  little  grass.  Eggs : 
Ito3. 

Subgenus  Sternula. 
74.  Sterna  antillarum  (Less.).    LEAST  TERN. 

Breeding  plumage.  —  Upper  parts  pearl  gray,  with  black  lores  and  black 
on  top  and  back  of  head ;  two  or  three  outer 
quills  mainly  dusky  ;  forehead  superciliary, 
and  under  parts  white.  Adults  in  winter  : 
crown  grayish,  whole  forehead  white. 
Young:  like  adults  in  winter  but  with 

brownish  on  back,  and  with  U  or  V-shaped  margins  to  part  of  feathers. 
Length :  8.50-9.75,  wing  6.60,  bill  1.20,  tail  3.50,  forked  for  about  1.75. 

Distribution.  —  United  States  from  California,  Dakota,  the  Great  Lakes, 
and  Massachusetts  south  to  northern  South  America. 

Eggs.  —  2  to  4,  buff  to  cream  white,  spotted  about  the  larger  end  with 
brown  and  lilac  ;  laid  in  a  depression  in  the  sand  on  an  island  or  sand 
beach. 

The  least  tern  is  abundant  along  the  coast  of  southern  California 
in  summer,  arriving,  .Mr.  Grinnell  says,  about  the  middle  of  April 
and  leaving  usually  the  latter  part  of  August.  He  states  that  it 
nests  abundantly  in  suitable  places  along  the  seacoast,  generally  on 


GULLS  AND  TERNS  31 

a  strip  of  sandy  beach  separating  the  surf  from  the  tide  marsh. 
Colonel  Goss,  speaking  of  the  terns  of  Kansas,  says:  "  These  little 
beauties,  the  smallest  of  the  family,  flit  through  the  air  like  swal- 
lows, darting  here  or  there  for  an  insect,  or  suddenly  stopping  to 
hover,  like  hawks  or  kingfishers,  over  a  school  of  minnows  or 
shrimp,  ready  to  drop  on  the  first  that  comes  to  the  surface." 

GENUS   HYDROCHELIDON. 

77.  Hydrochelidon  nigra  surinamensis  (GmeL).    AMERICAN 
BLACK   TERN. 

Web  of  feet  reaching-  only  to  middle  of  toes.  Adults  in  breeding  plum- 
age :  head,  neck,  and  breast  black; 
wings  and  tail  slaty  gray  ;  under  tail 
coverts  white  ;  bill  -and  feet  black. 
Winter  plumage :  head,  neck,  and 
under  parts  white,  orbital  ring-  and 

ear  coverts  dusky  ;  upper  parts  blue  gray.  In  late  summer  the  white  and 
black  feathers  are  mixed  on  the  breast.  Young  :  similar  to  winter  adults, 
but  with  edges  of  scapulars  brown,  and  crown  and  back  of  head  dusky. 
Length:  9.00-10.25,  wing  8.25,  bill  1.10,  tail  3.75,  forked  for .90. 

Distribution.  —  Temperate  part  of  North  America,  and  south  to  Brazil 
and  Chili. 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  dead  floating  rushes  in  shallow  water,  sometimes  on 
the  bare  ground,  or  on  an  old  muskrat  house  or  a  water-soaked  log  ;  made  of 
reeds,  wild  rice,  and  grasses,  and  lined  with  leaves  and  fine  stems.  Eggs: 
2  to  4,  greenish  drab  to  olive  brown,  spotted  with  blackish  brown. 

The  first  sight  of  Hydrochelidon  in  the  breeding  season  is  an  amaz- 
ing one,  for  as  you  see  the  tern-like  form  approaching  across  a  lake 
your  imagination  clothes  it  in  white,  but  when  it  reaches  you  —  lo  ! 
its  fore  parts  are  jet  black.  Another  surprise  comes,  when,  associat- 
ing its  kin  with  wide  lakes  and  ocean  shores,  you  find  one  beating 
over  a  patch  of  marsh  between  the  angles  of  a  meadow  brook,  or 
circling  over  a  pool  in  a  barnyard  !  But,  in  spite  of  the  shocks 
given  your  preconceived  ideas,  this  swallow-like  tern  excites  your 
keenest  interest,  and  whether  on  the  prairies  of  Texas  or  in  the  valleys 
of  the  high  Sierra,  you  soon  find  yourself  eagerly  watching  for  the 
strange  bird,  and  every  landscape  graced  by  its  form  goes  down  to 
memory  with  a  charm  all  its  own. 


32 


ALBATROSSES 


Fig.  51. 


ORDER  TUBINARES :  TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS. 
(FAMILIES  DIOMEDEID^E  AND  PBOCELLABIID^E.) 
FAMILY  DIOMEDEID-SI :   ALBATROSSES. 

KEY    TO    GENERA. 

1.  Sides  of  lower  mandible  with  deep  longitudinal 
groove  ;  tail  long  and  graduated. 

Phcebetria,  p.  33. 

1'.  Sides  of  lower  mandible  without  longitudinal 

groove  ;  tail  short  and  rounded. 
2.  A  wide  strip  of  bare  skin  from  nasal  tube  to 
forehead   .     .     .    Thalassogeron,  p.  33. 
2'.  Hard  plates  of  top  and  sides  of  bill  meeting 
between  nasal  tubes  and  forehead. 

Diomedea,  p.  32. 

GENUS   DIOMEDEA. 

General  Characters.  —  The  horny  plate  on  top  of  bill  widened  back  of 
nostrils  and  meeting  the  plate  on  side  of  bill ;  wings  very  long ;  tail  short, 
not  reaching  tip  of  folded  wings  ;  size  that  of  a  large  goose. 

KEY   TO  SPECIES. 

1.  Feet,  bill,  and  most  of  plumage,  dusky  or  blackish     .  nigripes,  p.  32. 
1'.  Feet  and  bill  yellow,  plumage  mainly  white  in  adult  .  albatrus,  p.  32. 

81.  Diomedea  nigripes  And.    BLACK-FOOTED  ALBATROSS. 

Adults.  —  Face  and  chin  whitish,  top 
of  head  and  rest  of  upper  parts  blackish, 
except  for  whitish  tail  coverts  and  base 
of  tail ;  under  parts  sooty  gray  ;  bill 
dusky,  feet  black.  Young:  face  with 
less  white,  and  upper  tail  coverts  dusky. 
Length :  28.50-36.00,  wing  18.50-20.50, 
bill  4.00-4.25. 

Distribution.  —  North  Pacific,  abun- 
dant from  southern  California  to  Alaska. 


Fig.  52. 


Mr.  Loomis  once  saw  an  albatross  at  Monterey  Bay  when  there 
was  a  heavy  sea  on,  but  most  of  the  birds  keep  out  to  sea,  where 
they  are  known  to  the  fishermen  as  '  goonies.' 

82.  Diomedea  albatrus  Pall.    SHORT-TAILED  ALBATROSS. 

Adults.  —  Mainly  white,  but  head  and  neck  washed  with  yellowish,  tail 
and  most  of  wings  dusky,  primaries  with  yellow  shafts ;  bill  and  feet 
yellowish.  Young:  plumage  sooty  brown,  darker  on  head  and  neck; 
primary  shafts  yellowish.  Length :  33-37,  wing  22-23,  bill  5.50-5.60. 

Distribution.  —  North  Pacific  from  southern  California  to  Alaska,  but 
mainly  northward. 

The  large  white  albatross,  unlike  the  black-footed,  is  so  shy  that 


FULMARS  AND   SHEARWATERS 


33 


instead  of  following  vessels  for  food  it  usually  gives  a  wide  berth 
to  any  species  of  sailing  craft.  At  Monterey,  in  stormy  winter 
weather,  Mr.  Loomis  has  seen  some  of  the  birds  in  the  bay.  The 
largest  number  he  has  recorded  from  the  region  were  seen  off  Point 
Pinos,  a  dozen  being  counted  in  an  hour. 

GENUS   THALASSOGERON. 

[83.]  Thalassogeron  culminatus  (Gould).  YELLOW-NOSED  ALBA- 
TROSS. 

Horny  plate  on  top  of  bill  not  widened  back  of  nostrils  ;  a  strip  of  soft 
skin  between  top  and  side  plates ;  size  of  a  large  goose.  Adults :  head, 
neck,  and  shoulders  gray,  shading  into  blackish  of  back,  wings,  and  tail ; 
under  parts  white  ;  bill  black  on  sides,  bordered  above  and  below  with 
yellow.  Length:  35-37,  wing  17.75-21.00,  bill  4.35-4.50,  tail  8-9. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  oceans,  north  casually  to  coast  of  Oregon  and 
Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence. 

GENUS   PHCEBETRIA. 

84.  Phcebetria  fuliginosa  (GmeL).    SOOTY  ALBATROSS. 

Tail  long  and  graduated,  reaching  well  beyond  tips  of  folded  wings ; 

size  large.  Adults :  eyelids  white,  area 
around  eyes  blackish ;  sides  of  head 
and  throat  sooty ;  rest  of  under  parts 
light  smoky  gray ;  back  of  neck  and 
back  smoky  gray  ;  wing  and  tail  sooty  ; 
bill  black,  feet  yellowish.  Young  (?): 
upper  parts  blackish  except  for  slaty 
gray  on  middle  of  back ;  under  parts 
slaty  gray.  Length :  34-37,  wing  20.00- 
21.50,  extent  78-84,  tail  10.50-13.00. 

Distribution.  —  South    Pacific,     north 
(casually)  to  coast  of  Oregon. 


O 


Fig.  53. 


FAMILY    FROCELLARIIDJE  :    FULMARS    AND 
SHEARWATERS. 


.    .     Ossifraga,  p.  34. 
Oceanodroma,  p.  37. 


Fig.  54, 


*  KEY   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Wing  17  or  more,  tail  feathers  16 
1'.  Wing  15  or  less,  tail  feathers  12-14. 

2.  Wing  7  or  less,  tail  forked  .     .     . 

2'.  Wing  9  or  more,  tail  not  forked. 

3.  Nasal  tubes  opening  separately,  with  partition  as  wide  as 

opening Puffinus,  p.  35. 

3'.  Nasal  tubes  opening  together  and  inclosing  a  thin  par- 
tition between  nostrils. 

4.  Bill  short  and  stout,  about  twice  as  long  as  depth  at 
base Fulmarus,  p.  34. 

4.'  Bill  long  and  slender,  over  twice  as  long  as  depth  at 
base Priocella,  p.  34. 


34  FULMARS  AND  SHEARWATERS 

GENUS   OSSIFRAGA. 

[85.]  Ossifraga  gigantea  (GmeL).    GIANT  FULMAR. 

Nasal  tubes  occupying  more  than  half  the  length  of  bill ;  tail  feathers 
16 ;  size  of  a  large  goose.  Light  phase : 
sometimes  almost  entirely  white,  but  gen- 
erally with  head,  neck,  and  under  parts 
white,  and  upper  parts  dusky  ;  bill  light 
yellowish.  Dark  phase:  uniform  sooty 
brown,  sometimes  whitish  around  base  of 
bill ;  bill  olive  yellowish  or  grayish. 
Fig.  56.  Length:  30-36,  wing  17-21,  bill  3.50-4.00, 

extent  of  wings  72-84. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  seas,  casually  north  to  coast  of  Oregon. 

GENUS  FULMARUS. 
Subgenus  Fulmarus. 

KEY   TO  SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  parts  plain  gray  or  dusky glupischa,  p.  34. 

1'.  Upper  parts  gray,  marked  with  white rodgersi,  p.  34. 

86b.  Fulmarus  glacialis  glupischa  Stejn.    PACIFIC  FULMAR. 

Bill  short  and  stout,  wider  than  deep  at  base,  nasal  tubes  occupying 
about  half  the  length  of  bill  and  opening  as  one  tube  ;  nasal  tubes  and 
tip  of  bill  yellow.  Light  phase :  head,  neck,  and  under  parts  white  ; 
upper  parts  bluish  gray,  with  quills  darker.  Dark  phase :  whole  plumage 
deep  plumbeous.  Length:  17-19,  wing  11.90-12.35,  bill  1.35-1.65. 

Distribution.  —  North  Pacific,  south  along  the  American  coast  to  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  high  cliffs  and  promontories.     Eggs  :  white. 

Mr.  Loomis  states  that  when  an  '  oil  slick '  appeared  on  the  Mon- 
terey Bay  at  one  time,  he  counted  over  a  hundred  Pacific  fulmars 
and  several  Rodgers  fulmars  scattered  in  groups  apparently  feeding 
on  a  slimy  substance  floating  on  the  surface  of  the  oil. 

86.1.  Fulmarus  rodgersi  Cass.    RODGERS  FULMAR. 

Similar  to  the  light  phase  of  glupischa,  but  bluish  gray  of  upper  parts 
broken  by  mixture  of  white.  No  dark  phase  known.  Wing  :  12.10-12.90, 
bill  1.40-1.60,  depth  of  bill  at  base  .65-.7S. 

Distribution.  —  North  Pacific  from  Bering  Sea  south  to  Monterey  Bay. 

Egg.  —  Soiled  white,  laid  on  the  bare  rock. 

GENUS    PRIOCELLA. 

87.  Priocella  glacialoides  (Smith).  SLENDER-BILLED  FULMAR. 
Bill  slender,  deeper  than  wide  at  base  ;  nasal  tubes  not  reaching  middle 
of  bill  ;  nasal  tubes  and  tip  of  bill  black.  Adults  : 
head,  neck,  and  under  parts  whitish  or  light  gray ; 
back  and  wings  light  pearl  gray,  the  quills  darker, 
with  inner  webs  mainly  white.  Length  :  18.00-18.50, 
wing  13,  bill  1.75-2.10,  depth  of  bill  at  base  .65. 

-Distribution.  —  Southern  seas,   north  along  Pacific 
Fig.  57.  coast  to  Vancouver  Island. 


FULMARS  AND   SHEARWATERS  35 

GENUS  PUFFINUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Nasal  tubes  united  and  resting  on  base  of  bill,  not 
reaching  to  middle  ;  nostrils  visible  from  above  ;  the  partition  between 
them  as  wide  or  wider  than  nostril. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Under  parts  white  or  grayish. 

2.  Bill  2.60 bulleri,  p.  36. 

2'.  Bill  under  1.70. 

3.  Larger,  wing  about  13 creatopus,  p.  35. 

3'.  Smaller,  wing  about  9 opisthomelas,  p.  35. 

1'.  Under  parts  dark  sooty  gray. 

2.  Larger,  wing  over  11,  bill  over  1.55 griseus,  p.  06. 

2'.  Smaller,  wing  under  11,  bill  under  1.28  .     .     .    tenuirostris,  p.  37. 

91.  Puffinus  creatopus  Coues.    PINK-FOOTED  SHEAR  WATER. 

Breast  and  throat  white,  shading  into  brownish  gray  of  upper  parts  and 
under  tail  coverts  ;  bill  yellowish,  feet  flesh  color.  Length :  19,  wing 
12.50-13.25,  bill  1.60-1.70. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  Pacific  Ocean  from  Monterey,  California,  south 
to  Chili. 

At  Monterey  Mr.  Loomis  has  found  the  pink-footed  shearwater 
abundant  in  June,  and  in  November  has  seen  as  many  as  two  hun- 
dred in  a  day.  In  migrating,  he  says,  their  flight  is  not  as  direct  as 
that  of  the  black-vented  and  dark-bodied.  They  circle  frequently 
and  cross  their  tracks,  much  as  swallows  are  wont  to  do  when  mi- 
grating singly  or  in  small  companies. 

93.  Puffinus  opisthomelas  Coues.    BLACK-VENTED  SHEARWATER. 

Upper  parts  sooty  gray,  lighter  on  head  and  neck  ;  under  parts  white, 
except  for  sooty  under  tail  coverts.  Length:  12.25-15.00,  wing  9.00-9.10, 
tail  3.25-3.80,  bill  1.30-1.42. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  Ocean.  Breeds  along  coast  of  Mexico  and  Lower 
California ;  migrates  north  -abundantly  to  California  and  casually  to  Van- 
couver Island. 

Mr.  Anthony  thinks  the  birds  not  uncommon  on  some  of  the 
small  outlying  California  islands.  Their  presence  along  the  coast  of 
southern  and  Lower  California,  he  says,  seems  to  depend  on  the  food 
supply.  They  are  always  common,  but  less  so  during  the  breeding 
season,  their  numbers  being  greatest  in  late  July,  August,  and  Sep- 
tember, when  they  follow  the  large  schools  of  herring  and  other  fish 
that  come  in  shore.  They  are  often  seen  in  flocks  of  several  thou- 
sand when  fish  are  plenty,  and  Mr.  Anthony  has  met  a  flock  on  the 
coast  of  Lower  California  which  he  estimated  at  not  less  than  fifty 
thousand. 

It  is  only  in  very  calm  weather,  he  says,  that  they  are  seen  resting 
on  the  water,  but  then  they  collect  in  a  compact  circle  and  wait 


36  FULMARS  AND  SHEARWATERS 

until  started  on  their  journey  by  a  rising  wind.  None  of  our  Pacific 
coast  sea  birds  adhere  so  closely  to  established  fly  lines  as  the  puf- 
fins. Mr.  Anthony  tells  us  (Auk,  xiii.  223-228)  that  "even  when  fly- 
ing fifty  miles  or  more  from  land  the  first  flock  that  passes  will,  with 
almost  absolute  certainty,  mark  the  line  which  the  next  will  follow, 
even  though  they  be  an  hour  behind." 

Mr.  Anthony  calls  attention  to  the  habit  common  to  different  spe- 
cies of  shearwaters  of  flying  in  large  circles  or  an  advancing  series 
of  loops  when  quartering  the  sea  for  small  fish,  —  a  flock  seen  along 
shore  going  in  the  opposite  direction  from  one  farther  out  to  sea. 

95.  Puffinus  griseus  (GmeL).    DARK-BODIED  SHEARWATER. 

Entire  plumage  sooty  gray  except  for  white  under  wing  coverts,  which 
are  mottled  with  gcay  at  tips  ;  bill  and  feet  dusky  or  black.  Wing  : 
11.15-12.00,  bill  1.55-1.70,  depth  of  bill  at  base  .45-.5S,  tarsus  2.12-2.35. 

Distribution.  —  South  Pacific,  north  along  the  coast  of  California,  and 
reported  in  great  numbers  from  Queen  Charlotte  Islands,  B.  C. 

One  of  the  most  important  results  of  the  valuable  work  done  by 
Mr.  Loomis  on  the  water  birds  off  Monterey  is  the  light  thrown  on 
the  northward  migration  of  birds  from  the  south  temperate  zone. 
The  dark-bodied  shearwater  affords  conclusive  evidence  on  the  sub- 
ject. The  shearwaters  taken  at  Monterey  in  May  were  in  worn, 
moulting  plumage,  common  with  birds  just  after  the  breeding  season ; 
while  their  sexual  organs  showed  none  of  the  functional  develop- 
ment of  birds  about  to  breed.  The  migratory  movements  of  these 
birds  increased  from  May  until  September,  when  there  was  an 
abrupt  decrease  in  their  numbers,  only  stragglers  being  seen  after- 
wards. Not  only  were  the  September  and  October  birds  in  fresh 
plumage,  but  those  secured  had  their  sexual  organs  enlarged  as  in 
birds  in  the  flush  of  the  breeding  season.  As  the  shearwaters  are 
known  to  breed  from  October  to  March. on  oceanic  islands  in  the 
south  temperate  zone,  the  case  seems  to  be  a  simple  one. 

96.2.  Puffinus  bulleri  Salvtn.    NEW  ZEALAND  SHEARWATER. 

Adults:  mantle  gray,  in  striking  contrast  to  black  on  head,  tail,  and 
lesser  wing  coverts ;  greater  coverts  gray,  tipped  with  white  ;  outer  pri- 
maries black,  with  two  thirds  of  inner  webs  white  ;  cheeks  mottled  grayish 
white ;  lower  parts  and  under  wing  coverts  white.  Length :  16.50,  wing 
11.30,  tail  5.20,  bill  2.30.  ' 

Distribution.  — New  Zealand.     One  record  from  Point  Pinos,  California. 

Mr.  Loomis  secured  a  specimen  of  Puffinus  bulleri  about  six  miles 
west  of  Point  Pinos,  on  November  6,  1896.  As  this  was  the  fourth 
of  the  species  known  to  science,  and  the  others  had  come  from  New 
Zealand  seas,  the  record  is  of  great  interest,  and  as  pointed  out 
suggests  that  persistent  observation  along  the  Pacific  coast  may  add 
largely  to  the  list  of  pelagic  wanderers  from  the  southern  seas. 


FULMARS  AND  SHEARWATERS  37 

96.  Puffinus  tenuirostris  (Temm.).  SLENDER-BILLED  SHEARWATER. 

Size  small ;  bill  relatively  small  and  slender  ;  plumage  sooty  or  blackish 
except  for  paler  throat  and  white  under  wing-  coverts  ;  bill  and  feet  dusky. 
Wing:  10.00-11.10,  tail  3.20-3.60,  bill  1.20-1.28,  depth  at  base  .35-.50, 
tarsus  1.90-2.00. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  Ocean,  breeding  in  the  southern  hemisphere,  but 
migrating  north  in  summer  to  Kotzebue  Sound. 

The  slender-billed  shearwater  was  discovered  at  Monterey  by  Mr. 
Joseph  Maillard,  December,  1895.  Between  the  14th  and  20th  of  the 
month  he  saw  great  numbers  of  the  birds,  and  secured  twenty  speci- 
mens. Mr.  Loomis  infers  that  they  were  belated  migrants  on  their 
way  back  to  their  breeding  grounds  in  the  southern  hemisphere. 

GENUS    OCEANODROMA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  small  and  weak,  with  nasal  tubes  elevated  at 
tip  ;  tail  slightly  forked  ;  size  small ;  slender  and  tern-like  ;  bill  and  feet 
black. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  or  lower  tail  coverts  white. 

2.  Lower  tail  coverts  white,  upper  gray furcata,  p.  37. 

2'.  Upper,  and  sides  of  lower  tail  coverts,  white  .  .  kaedingi,  p.  37. 
1'.  Upper  and  lower  tail  coverts  dusky. 

2.  tinder  wing  coverts  with  a  light-colored  patch  .  homochroa,  p.  38. 
2'.  Under  wing  coverts  without  light  patch. 

3.  Side  of  rump  with  gray  or  whitish  patch    .    socorroensis,  p.  38. 
3'.  Side  of  rump  without  gray  or  whitish  patch  .     .     melania,  p.  38. 

105.  Oceanodroma  furcata  (GW.).     FORKED-TAILED  PETREL. 

Body  light  bluish  gray,  fading  to  white  on  chin,  throat,  and  under  tail 
coverts  ;  bend  of  wing,  quills,  and  space  around  eye,  dusky.  Length: 
8.00-9.20,  wing  5.90-6.40,  bill  .60,  tail  3,75-4.00,  forked  for  about  1. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  Arctic  circle  south  on  the  American  side  to 
Monterey. 

Nest.  —  A  hole  in  a  bank,  lined  scantily  with  dry  grass  and  fine  roots. 
Egg  :  1,  white,  with  fine  spots  of  lilac  and  dark  color  about  the  larger  end. 

105.2.  Oceanodroma  kaedingi  A nthony.    KAEDING  PETREL. 

Plumage  mainly  sooty  black  ;  wing  cov- 
erts brownish ;  upper  tail  coverts  and  side 
of  under  coverts,  white.  Wing :  5.75,  tail 
3.25,  forked  for  .60,  tarsus  .80,  bill .  55  (from  Fi  5g 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  and  islands  from  Socorro  Island  and  south- 
ern California  north  to  Cape  Flattery. 

Nest.  —  Under  a  pile  of  stones,  or  a  burrow  in  a  turfy  bank,  lined  with 
grass,  bits  of  bark,  and  wood.  Egg:  1,  sometimes  plain  white. 

The  slightly  larger  and  lighter  colored  0.  leucorhoa  of  the  Atlantic 
and  north  Pacific  apparently  does  not  occur  on  the  west  coast  of  the 
United  States.  A  series  of  May  and  June  specimens  from  near  Cape 
Flattery  are  unquestionably  kaedingi. 


38  FULMARS  AND   SHEARWATERS 

107.  Oceanodroma  melania  (Bonap.).    BLACK  PETREL. 

Upper  parts  sooty  black  with  grayish  brown  on  wing-  coverts ;  under 
parts  brownish  black,  without  white  or  light  colored  patches.  Wing :  6.80, 
tail  3.90,  forked  for  about  1.20,  tarsus  1.20. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  Pacific  coast  of  Mexico  north  to  southern 
California. 

Mr.  Grinnell  thinks  the  black  petrels  are  probably  more  or  less 
common  residents  off  the  southern  California  coast.  Mr.  Nelson 
found  them  the  most  abundant  of  the  petrels  of  the  Tres  Marias 
Islands,  Mexico.  He  saw  little  that  was  remarkable  about  their 
habits,  but  says  they  circled  about  the  vessel  in  all  directions  and 
were  quick  to  see  fragments  of  food  that  were  thrown  overboard. 

108.  Oceanodroma  homochroa  (Coues).    ASHY  PETREL. 

Plumage  mainly  smoky  gray  or  plumbeous  ;  quills  and  tail  dusky  ;  upper 
wing-  coverts  brownish,  under  coverts  with  light  patch.  Wing:  5.30-5.40, 
tail  3.3(>-3.50,  forked  for  .70-.90,  tarsus,  .80-.90. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  of  California. 

Egg.  —  Dull  creamy  white,  finely  dotted  with  red  around  the  larger 
end ;  placed  in  a  natural  cavity. 

Mr.  Loomis,  writing  of  his  visit  to  South  Farallone  Island  in  July, 
1896,  gives  some  interesting  notes  on  the  habits  of  the  ashy  petrel. 
"Although  these  petrels  were  breeding  abundantly  in  all  parts  of 
the  island,"  he  says,  "every  portion  of  it  might  have  been  passed 
over  in  daylight  without  a  single  individual  being  discovered,  for 
apparently  only  brooding  birds  occurred,  concealed  in  loose  piles 
of  stone,  in  stone  walls,  and  under  driftwood.  After  nightfall  the 
petrels  became  active.  They  were  especially  conspicuous  during 
the  early  morning  hours  of  the  14th,  when  the  auklets  held  their 
concert.  As  I  stood  in  the  dooryard  of  a  keeper's  house,  every  few 
moments  one  or  more  would  pass  silently  by,  disappearing  in  the 
darkness.  Their  flight  recalled  that  of  a  goatsucker. 

"The  strong  musky  odor  of  the  petrels  renders  their  discovery 
in  the  rock  piles  easy.  It  is  only  necessary  to  insert  the  nose  into 
likely  crevices  to  find  them.  With  little  practice  one  may  become 
very  expert  in  this  kind  of  hunting,  readily  determining  whether  it 
is  an  auklet  or  a  petrel  that  has  its  residence  in  any  particular 
cranny.  ...  It  seemed  strange  to  find  these  birds  of  the  ocean  rear- 
ing their  young  near  the  dwellings  and  within  several  rods  of  the 
siren.  None  of  the  feathered  inhabitants  of  the  island  appeared  to 
be  alarmed  at  the  blast  of  this  signal,  repeated  every  forty-five 
seconds  when  the  fog  settled  down." 

108.1.  Oceanodroma  socorroensis  Townsend.  SOCORRO  PETREL. 

Similar  to  homochroa  but  slightly  larger  and  darker  colored  ;  under  wing 


DARTERS  —  CORMORANTS  39 

coverts  without  light-colored  patch,  but  rump  with  gray  or  whitish  patch 
on  side.     Wing:  5.80-6.38,  tail  3.07-3.42,  forked  for  .71-.92,  bill  .5S-.65. 

Distribution.  —  From  islands  of  western  coast  of  Mexico  north  to  San 
Diego,  California. 


ORDER   STEGANOPODES :  TOTIPALMATE 
SWIMMERS. 

(FAMILIES  ANHINGID^E,  PHALACROCORACIDJE,  PELECANIDJE, 
FREGATID^E,  ETC.) 

FAMILY   ANHINGID-2G:  DARTERS. 

GENUS    ANHINGA. 

118.  Anhinga  anhinga  (Linn.).    ANHINGA.    WATER  TURKEY. 

Bill  straight  and  sharp  ;  form  extremely  slender,  tail  long  and  rigid, 
without  upper  coverts.  Adult  male  in  breeding  plumage :  glossy  greenish 
black  ;  back  of  head  and  sides  of  neck  with  long  white  or  grayish  filaments, 
and  back  of  neck  with  black  hair-like  mane  ;  shoulders  and  base  of  wings 
finely  spotted  with  gray,  wing  crossed  with  wide  gray  band ;  back  striped 
with  pearl  gray  ;  tail  tipped  with  brownish.  Adult  male  in  winter :  head  and 
neck  without  elongated  filaments.  Adult  female  in  breeding  plumage : 
similar  to  male  but  head  and  neck  brown,  throat  and  breast  buffy.  Young  : 
lower  back,  tail,  and  quills  black  ;  head  and  rest  of  body  brown  except  for 
buffy  or  whitish  throat  and  breast,  and  gray  streaking  on  wing  coverts. 
Length :  32.25-36.00,  wing  about  14,  tail  11,  bill  3.25. 

Distribution.  —  From  tropical  America  north  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  to 
South  Carolina,  southern  Illinois,  Texas,  western  Mexico,  and  casually  to 
Kansas. 

FAMILY  FHALACROCORACID^E :  CORMORANTS. 
GENUS   PHALACROCORAX. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  slender  and  abruptly  hooked  at  tip ;  mouth 
opening  back  under  eye ;  skin  around  eye  and  at  base  of  lower  mandible 
naked ;  head  smooth  or  variously  crested. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Gular  sac  convex  or  truncate  at  posterior  edge. 

2.  Gular  sac  bordered  with  narrow  line  of  white  feathers.     Size  small. 

mexicanus,  p.  41. 
2'.  Gular  sac  not  bordered  with  white. 

3.  Crest  over  each  eye  black dilophus,  p.  40. 

3'.  Crest  over  each  eye  partly  white. 

4.  Size  large,  wing  over  13.     N.  W.  coast  .     .    cincinatus,  p.  40. 
4'.  Size  smaller,  wing  under  13.     California  coast. 

albociliatus,  p.  40. 

1'.  Gular  sac  heart-shaped  at  posterior  edge. 
2.  Flanks  without  white,  head  not  crested    .     .     penicillatus,  p.  41. 


40  CORMORANTS 

2'.  Flanks  with  a  large  white  patch  in  breeding  plumage.    Top  and  back 

of  head  crested  in  breeding  plumage. 
3.  Size  larger,  wing  10.00-11.40.     From  Washington  northward. 

robustus,  p.  41. 
3'.  Size  smaller,  wing  9.30-10.50.     From  Cape  Flattery  southward. 

resplendens,  p.  42. 

Subgenus  Phalacroeorax. 

120.  Phalacroeorax  dilophus  (Swain.).     DOUBLE-CRESTED  COR- 
MORANT. 

Adults  in  breeding  plumage.  —  Throat  pouch  orange  ;  a  narrow  crest  of 
curved  black  feathers  above  and  back  of  each  eye  ;  back  and  wings  slaty, 
feathers  bordered  with  black  ;  rest  of  plumage  glossy  greenish  black. 
Post-breeding  plumage  :  head  without  crests.  Young  :  plumage  brownish, 
becoming  grayish  brown  on  head  and  neck ;  throat  and  breast  lighter, 
sometimes  white  before  the  first  moult.  Length :  29-34,  wing  12-13,  bill 
2.00-2.45. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  northeastern  North  America  west  to  the 
Dakotas  and  north  to  Athabasca ;  migrates  to  Gulf  coast ;  west  to  Colo- 
rado and  Utah. 

Nest.  —  In  trees  or  on  rocks,  made  of  sticks,  and  usually  coated  with 
lime-like  excrement.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  dull  bluish  green. 

The  double-crested  cormorants  are  common  along  the  Atlantic 
coast  and  the  lakes  and  rivers  of  the  Mississippi  valley,  breeding  in 
communities  on  cliffs  and  rocky  islands  along  the  coast,  and  mainly 
in  trees  in  the  interior. 

Like  all  cormorants,  they  are  expert  fishers.  With  their  dense 
glossy  plumage,  long,  almost  fish-like  form,  powerful  leg  muscles, 
and  wide  paddles,  double-jointed  mouths,  elastic  throats,  and  the 
hooked  tip  of  their  bills,  they  are  built  for  pursuing,  catching,  and 
swallowing  fish.  Much  of  their  time  is  spent  in  the  water  pursuing 
their  prey,  or  perched  on  rocks  or  posts  near  their  fishing  grounds. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

120b.  P.  d.  cincinatus  (Brandt).     WHITE-CRESTED  CORMORANT. 

Like  P.  dilophus,  but  with  crests  mainly  white.  Length :  36,  wing  13.70, 
bill  2.25-2.55. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast  of  North  America,  breeding  on  the 
coast  of  Alaska ;  south  in  winter  to  California. 

Nest.  —  On  islands,  a  mass  of  sticks  and  weeds  six  inches  to  a  foot  in 
height.  Eggs :  4  or  5. 

120C.  P.  d.  albociliatus  Ridgw.    FARALLONE  CORMORANT. 

Similar  to  cincinatus,  but  slightly  smaller.  Length :  25-31,  wing  11.75- 
13.00,  bill  1.90-2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  and  inland  lakes  of  southern  Oregon  and  Califor- 
nia, and  south  to  western  Mexico  and  the  Socorro  Islands. 

Nest.  —  A  firm  structure  of  sticks,  lined  with  moss  and  various  water 
plants  ;  placed  in  trees  and  on  rocks.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  dull  bluish  green. 

The  Farallone  cormorant  is  a  common  resident  of  the  California 


CORMORANTS  41 

coast,  and  breeds  abundantly  on  the  Farallones  and  other  islands;  also 
in  the  interior,  nesting  in  extensive  colonies  in  trees  near  some  of 
the  large  lakes.  Mr.  Chamberlain  reports  a  colony  at  Clear  Lake, 
California,  and  those  at  Tiile  Lake,  Oregon,  are  undoubtedly  of  this 
species. 

On  their  breeding  grounds,  nests,  rocks,  trees,  and  ground  are 
painted  white  with  their  excrement,  and  some  of  the  trees  are 
usually  killed  by  it.  Bones  and  pieces  of  fish  are  scattered  about, 
adding  to  the  general  attractiveness  of  the  place. 

121.  Phalacrocorax   mexicanus    (Brandt).    MEXICAN  CORMO- 

RANT. 

Adults.  —  Head  and  foreparts  of  body  mainly  dark  brownish,  lighter  on 
throat,  and  gray  or  whitish  adjoining  brown  throat  pouch ;  shoulders 
and  wing  coverts  slaty  ;  feathers  bordered  with  black  ;  posterior  parts  of 
body,  tail,  and  wing  quills  blackish.  Breeding  plumage  :  head,  neck,  and 
belly  with  slender  white  filaments.  Young  :  brownish,  becoming  grayish 
brown  on  throat  and  under  parts,  whitish  next  to  pouch.  Before  first 
moult :  throat  and  breast  whitish.  Length  :  23.00-28.75,  wing  9.95-10.40, 
bill  1.70-2.00. 

Distribution.  —  Mexico,  Cuba,  and  the  Gulf  coast ;  north  to  New  Mexico, 
Kansas,  and  Illinois. 

Nest.  —  Rudely  made  of  sticks  and  leaves,  placed  on  bushes  or  trees  near 
or  over  water.  Eggs  :  bluish  white,  with  a  slight  chalky  deposit. 

Subgenus  Compsohalieus. 

122.  Phalacrocorax   penicillatus    (Brandt).    BRANDT  CORMO- 

RANT. 

Bill  slender,  nearly  straight ;  tail  short,  with  narrow,  rigid  feathers ; 
head  without  crests  or  elongated  tufts.  Adults :  head  and  neck  glossy 
blue  black,  except  for  light  brownish  patch  next  to  gular  sac ;  under 
parts  glossy  greenish  black ;  scapulars  and  wing  coverts  dull  greenish 
black.  Breeding  plumage  :  sides  of  neck  and  shoulders  with  long  white  or 
yellowish  filaments ;  throat  pouch  blue.  Young :  plumage  brown,  throat 
and  under  parts  paler ;  upper  parts  darker,  becoming  blackish  on  back  of 
neck.  Length:  35,  wing  10.50-11.75,  bill  2.60-2.95,  tail  5.50-6.50. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  from  Cape  St.  Lucas  to  Vancouver  Island. 

The  Brandt  cormorant  is  abundant  along  the  Pacific  coast,  breed- 
ing in  large  colonies  on  rocky  islands.  Grinnell  says  it  is  the  cormo- 
rant observed  about  San  Pedro,  hundreds  sometimes  being  seen 
roosting  on  the  breakwater.  On  the  Farallones  Bryant  says  they 
congregate  in  large  rookeries.  The  young  are  hatched  entirely 
naked,  their  skin  resembling  a  greasy  black  kid  glove.  -In  this  con- 
dition, and  even  after  the  down  is  on  them,  they  are  an  irresistible 
morsel  to  the  hungry  gulls. 

Subgenus  Urile. 

123a.  Phalacrocorax  pelagicus  robustus  Eidgw.    VIOLET- 
GREEN  CORMORANT. 
Breeding  plumage.  —  Throat  pouch  dull  coral  red ;  crown  and  back  of 


42  PELICANS 

head  with  purplish  green  crests ;  neck  with  loose  white  filaments ;  flank 
with  large  circular  white  patch ;  head  and  body  dark  glossy  green, 
changing  to  rich  purple  on  neck  and  purplish  green  on  wings  ;  quills  and 
tail  black.  Post-breeding  plumage :  crests,  white  filaments,  and  white 
flank  patch  wanting.  Young  :  dusky  brown,  lighter  on  head  ;  upper  parts 
darker,  with  a  tinge  of  green.  Wing:  10.00-11.40,  tail  6.25-8.50,  bill 
1.70-2.10. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  of  Alaska  and  British  Columbia  to  Washington. 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  a  ledge  of  bold-faced  rock,  large,  made  of  seaweed,  a 
few  grass-stalks,  and  excrement.  Eggs  :  3  to  4,  pale  blue  to  white. 

The  Eskimo  use  this  cormorant's  skin  for  clothing,  and  the  white 
filaments  from  the  flanks  for  fringes  in  their  ornamental  work. 

123b.  P.  p.  resplendens  (Aud.}.    BAIRD  CORMORANT. 

Coloration  as  in  pelagicus,  size  smaller,  bill  nearly  as  long,  but  slenderer. 
Wing:  9.30-10.50,  tail  5.80-7.00,  bill  1.65-2.00. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  from  Cape  Flattery  to  Mazatlan,  Mexico. 

The  Baird  cormorant  is  usually  less  common  than  the  Farallone 
or  Brandt  cormorants,  breeding  apart  from  them  in  communities  on 
the  islands  or  rocky  points  off  shore. 

FAMILY  PELECANID-SJ :  PELICANS. 

GENUS   PELECANUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  much  longer  than  head,  upper  mandible  flat ; 
a  larg'e  pouch  of  elastic,  naked  skin  hung  as  a  fish-net  from  flexible  sides 
of  lower  mandible. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Color  mainly  white erythrorhynckos,  p.  42. 

1'.  Color  mainly  grayish  brown calif  ornicus,  p.  43. 

Subgenus  Cyrtopelicanus. 

125.   Pelecanus    erythrorhynchos   Gmel.     AMERICAN  WHITE 

PELICAN. 

Tail  feathers  24.  Breeding  plumage  :  mainly  white,  primaries  and  most 
of  secondaries  black ;  back  of  head  with  thin  white  or  yellowish  crest,  breast 
and  lesser  wing  coverts  with  narrow  lanceolate  yellowish  feathers ;  upper 


PELAGIC  CORMORANT 


MAN-O'-WAR  BIRDS.  43 

mandible  with  upright  horn.  Post-breeding  plumage :  crest  replaced  by 
short  grayish  feathers,  upper  mandible  without  horny  excrescence.  Adults 
in  winter  plumage :  back  of  head  white ;  bill  pouch  and  feet  pale  yellow 
instead  of  orange.  Young :  white,  with  gray  on  top  of  head  and  lesser 
wing  coverts.  Length :  4£  to  nearly  6  feet ;  extent  8£  to  nearly  10  feet ; 
wing  20.00-y25.25,  bill  11.05-15.00;  weight  about  17  Ibs. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  from  latitude  61°  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  islands,  sometimes  a  depression  in  gravel  or  sand, 
lined  with  seaweeds  ;  but  generally  a  thin  layer  of  sticks  and  weeds,  laid 
on  the  ground  or  on  rocks.  Eggs :  1  to  3,  dull  white,  like  those  of  the 
Canada  goose,  but  with  rougher  shell. 

The  white  pelican  is  more  a  bird  of,  the  interior  than  of  the  coast 
districts,  and  still  breeds  in  great  colonies  on  a  few  of  the  larger 
lakes.  Some  of  the  little  islands  which  used  to  be  covered  with 
nests  are  abandoned  now,  the  splendid  birds  having  been  driven 
away  by  wanton  persecution. 

The  pelicans  are  eminently  social  at  all  seasons,  sometimes  gather- 
ing in  flocks  of  many  hundreds  along  the  shore,  where,  by  beating 
the  water  with  their  wings,  they  drive  the  fish  into  the  shallows,  to 
scoop  them  up  with  their  wide  pouches.  At  other  times  they  may 
be  seen  circling,  wheeling,  and  soaring  overhead,  in  magnificent  aerial 
drill,  or  riding  buoyantly  on  the  surface  of  the  water  like  a  squadron 
of  white  ships.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

Subgenus  Leptopelicanus. 

127.  Pelecanus  calif ornicus  Eidgw.    CALIFORNIA  BROWN  PELI- 

CAN.1 

Tail  feathers  22.  Breeding  plumage  :  pouch  reddish  ;  head,  and  feathers 
next  to  pouch,  white  ;  crown  tinged  with  yellow  ;  neck,  including  mane- 
like  crest,  rich  velvety  brown  ;  upper  parts  silvery  gray,  streaked  with 
brownish  ;  under  parts  brownish,  streaked  on  sides  with  white.  Winter 
plumage. :  head  and  neck  white,  tinged  with  yellowish  on  throat  and  crown. 
Young :  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  darker  on  back ;  under  parts  white, 
tinged  on  sides  with  brownish.  Length :  4-J-  feet  or  more,  wine-  20.50-23.25, 
bill  12.2o-14.75. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  from  southern  British  Columbia  to  Gala- 
pagos Islands. 

FAMILY  FREGATID^J:    MAN-O'-WAR   BIRDS. 

GENUS    FREGATA. 

128.  Pregata  aquila  Linn.    MAN-O'-WAR  BIRD. 

Wings  very  long ;  tail  deeply  forked ;  feet  small,  half  webbed.  Adult 
male  :  plumage  black,  base  of  wings  glossed 
with  greenish  or  purplish.  Adult  female: 
plumage  dull  black;  wings  with  grayish 
patch ;  sides  and  breast  white.  Young : 
head,  neck,  and  under  parts  white  ;  upper 
parts  dull  brownish  black.  Length  :  37.50- 
41.00,  wing  22.00-27.10,  tail  14.25-19.25, 
forked  for  about  9  ;  bill  4.25-5.15. 
1  A  specimen  of  P.  occidentalis  was  taken  in  Wyoming,  July,  1899.  (The  Auk,  xvi.  351.) 


44  DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND  SWANS 

Distribution.  —  Tropical  and  subtropical  seas,  chiefly  north  of  the  equa- 
tor ;  north  regularly  to  Florida,  Texas,  and  California,  and  casually  to 
Wisconsin  and  Nova  Scotia. 

Nest.  —  Made  of  sticks,  placed  in  the  tops  of  bushes  or  low  trees. 


ORDER  ANSERES:    LAMELLIROSTRAL 
SWIMMERS. 

FAMILY  ANATID^S :   DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS. 

KEY  TO    GENERA. 

1.  Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  without  claw. 


?:O 

i 


Fig. 


2.  Neck  as  long  as  or  longer  than  body  .     .     Olor,  p.  70. 
2'.  Neck  shorter  than  body. 

3.  Lower  mandible  without  trace  of  lamellae  along  sides, 

edges  of  mandibles  strongly  toothed  or  serrate. 
4.  Tooth-like    serrations    of     mandibles    sharp    and 
strongly  inclined  backward 

Merganser,  p.  45. 

4'.  Tooth-like  serrations  of  mandibles  blunt  and  not 
distinctly  inclined  backward 

Lophodytes,  p.  47. 
3'.  Lower  mandible  with  a  distinct  series  of  lamellae  along 

side  as  well  as  cutting  edge. 

4.  Lower  part  of  tarsus  with  small  hexagonal  plates 
and  no  transverse  scutellae  in  front. 

Dendrocygna,  p.  69. 

4'.  Lower  part  of  tarsus  with  a  row  of  transverse  scu- 
tellae across  the  front. 
5.  Tail  without  upper  coverts,  the  base  of  the  stiff 

feathers  scarcely  concealed. 

6.  Tail  feathers  18     ...  Erismatura,  p.  64. 

6'.  Tail  feathers  20     ...     Nomonyx,  p.  65. 

5'.  Tail  with  base  well  concealed  by  upper  coverts. 

6.  Hind   toe   without  a   flattened  membraneous 

lobe. 

7.  Bill   long   and  much  wider  near  end  than 
toward  base    ....     Spatula,  p.  54. 
7'.  Bill  not  much  wider  near  end  than  at  base. 
8.  Tail  feathers  wide  and  rounded  at  end. 

Aix,  p.  55. 

8'.  Tail  feathers  narrow  and  pointed  at  tips. 
9.  Tail  graduated  more  than  a  third  of  its 

total  length. 

10.  Tail  feathers  14     .   Mareca,  p.  49. 
10'.  Tail  feathers  16. 

11.  Bill  longer  than  middle  toe  with- 
out claw     .     .     .  Dafila,  p.  54. 
11'.  Bill  shorter  than  middle  toe  with- 
out claw 

Chaulelasmus,  p.  49. 
9'.  Tail  graduated  less  than  a  third  of  its 
total  length. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND  SWANS  45 

10.  Wing  more  than  8  .     .  Anas,  p.  47. 
10'.  Wing  less  than  8. 

11.  Upper  and  lower  outlines  of  upper 

mandible  beyond  nostril  convex. 

Querquedula,  p.  52. 

11'.  Upper  and  lower  outlines  of  upper 

mandible  beyond  nostrils  straight. 

Nettion,  p.  51. 

6'.  Hind  toe  with  a  flattened  membraneous  lobe. 
7.  Graduation  of  tail  less  than  length  of  bill 
from  nostril    ....     Aythya,  p.  56. 
7'.  Graduation  of  tail  much  more  than  length 

of  bill  from  nostril. 

8.  Anterior  edge  of  nostril  in  front  of  middle 

of  culmen     ....  Clangula.  p.  59. 

8'.  Anterior  edge  of  nostril  back  of  middle  of 

culmen. 

9.  Upper  mandible  widest  back  of  nostril, 
and  not  conspicuously  elevated  nor 
swollen  at  base. 

10.  Feathers  ending  in  straight  line  across 
forehead    .     .     .    Harelda,  p.  61. 
10'.  Feathers  ending  in  point  of  acute  tri- 
angle on  forehead. 

11.  Upper  mandible  constricted  to  small 
nail-like  tip. 

Charitonetta,  p.  60. 
11'.  Upper  mandible  rounded  at  tip. 

Histrionicus,  p.  61. 

9'.  Upper  mandible  widest  at  anterior  edge 
of  nostril,  and  elevated  or  swollen  at 
base  (except  in  female  and  immature 
O.  americana)  .  .  Oidemia,  p.  62. 

1'.  Tarsus  as  long  as  or  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw. 
2.  Bill  and  feet  always  black  ....  Branta,  p.  67. 
2'.  Bill  and  feet  never  entirely  black,  usually  reddish  or 

yellowish. 

3.  Bill  as  wide  as  deep  at  base       .     .   Philacte,  p.  69. 
3'.  Bill  much  deeper  than  wide  at  base. 

4.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  more  than  half  the  length 

of  culmen  ;  adults  mainly  white    .    Cheil,  p.  65. 

4'.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  less  than  half  the  length  of 

culmen ;  adults  never  white      .      Anser,  p.  66. 

GENUS   MERGANSER 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  slender  and  approximately  cylindrical  in  front, 
of  nostrils,  armed  along  edges  of  mandibles  with  sharp,  strongly  recurved 
teeth ;  head  crested  in  both  sexes. 

KEY  TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Nostril  near  middle  of  bill,  about  .50  from  feathers. 

americanus,  p.  46. 
1'.  Nostril  near  base  of  bill,  about  .25  from  feathers     .      serrator,  p.  46. 


46 


DUCKS,   GEESE,  AND   SWANS 


129.  Merganser  americanus  (Cass.).    AMERICAN  MERGANSER: 

SHELDRAKE. 

Adult  male.  —  Head  and  short  crest  black  glossed  with  green ;  shoulders 
black ;  wing  black,  with  white  in  middle  ;  rump  and  tail  gray  ;  neck  and 
sides  white  ;  breast  creamy  white  or  pale  salmon.  Adult  female :  head, 
neck,  and  long  thin  crest  light  brown ;  rest  of  upper  parts  bluish  gray, 
except  white  patch  on  middle  of  wing  ;  chin  and  breast  white.  Male : 
length  25-27,  wing  10.50-11.25,  bill  1.90-2.20.  Female:  length  21-24, 
wing  9.60-9.75,  bill  1.80-2.00. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  from  Pennsylvania 
and  mountains  of  Colorado  and  California,  northward. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  tree  or  on  ground,  lined  with  down.  Eggs :  8  to  10, 
pale  buffy. 

The  sheldrakes,  while  common  and  widely  distributed,  are  never 
abundant.  They  are  usually  found  in  pairs  or  small  flocks  along  the 
rivers  or  in  open  lakes  where  there  are  plenty  of  small  fish.  In  sum- 
mer the  few  that  remain  in  the  United  States  to  breed  keep  princi- 
pally in  the  high  mountains,  along  the  streams  or  lakes  of  the  Boreal 
zone.  Even  the  half  fledged  young  delight  in  the  cold  water  and 
foaming  rapids  of  a  mountain  trout  stream.  VERXON.  BAILEY. 

130.  Merganser  serrator  (Linn.).     RED-BREASTED  MERGANSER. 
Adult  male.  —  Head  and  crest  black,  glossed  with  green  ;   neck  white  ; 

back  black ;    middle   of    wings  white ;   rump  gray ;   chest  buffy  brown, 
streaked  with  blackish  ;  belly  white  or  creamy  ;  sides  gray.    Adult  female  : 


Fig.  63. 

head  and  neck  brown,  darker  and  duller  on  crown  and  crest ;  rest  of  upper 
parts  and  tail  slaty  gray,  except  for  white  patch  on  wings ;  under  parts 
white.  Length:  20-25,  wing  8.60-9.00,  bill  about  2.50. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS 


47 


Remarks.  —  The  female  is  distinguished  from  the  female  americanus  by 
smaller  size,  slenderer  bill,  and  position  of  nostril. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere,  breeding  in  Amer- 
ica from  Illinois  and  Minnesota  north  to  Alaska  and  Greenland  ;  south  in 
winter  over  the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  near  water,  hidden  in  grass  and  weeds,  made  of  leaves, 
grass,  and  moss,  lined  with  down.  Eggs  :  8  to  10,  olive  buff. 

The  red-breasted  merganser  is  a  common  duck  of  the  clear  streams 
and  lakes,  a  good  diver  and  fisher,  but  rarely  fat  and  often  flavored 
by  its  favorite  food. 

GENUS   LOPHODYTES. 
131.  Lophodytes  CUCUllatus  (Linn.).    HOODED  MERGANSER. 

Bill  narrow,  slender,  and  with  terminal  part  cylindrical,  armed  along 
edges  of  mandibles  with 
blunt,  scarcely  inclined 
teeth ;  head  with  high 
thin,  wheel-shaped  crest, 
less  prominent  in  female. 

Adult  male.  —  Head, 
neck,  and  back  black ; 
middle  of  crest  and  under 
parts,  white ;  sides  light 
brown,  finely  cross-lined 
with  black.  Adult  female  : 
upper  parts  grayish  brown, 
browner  on  crest;  patch 
on  wing,  throat,  and  belly 
white.  Young :  similar  to 
female,  but  with  little  or 
no  crest.  Length:  17.25- 
19.25,  wing  7.50-7.90,  bill 
1.50. 

Distribution.  —  North 
America  from  Alaska  to 
Cuba  and  Mexico,  breed- 
ing throughout  most  of  its 


range. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  trees, 
lined  with  grass,  feathers,  and  down. 


Eggs  : 


Fig.  64. 

to  10,  ivory  white. 


The  hooded  merganser  or  saw-bill  is  widely  distributed  and  often 
abundant  during  migration,  frequently  gathering  in  large  flocks  in 
the  rice  lakes.  It  becomes  very  fat  and  its  flesh  rarely  has  any  flavor 
of  fish.  In  fall  it  is  one  of  the  last  ducks  to  leave,  lingering  on  the 
half  frozen  lakes  and  streams  of  the  northern  states.  A  little  flock 
may  now  and  then  be  found  in  open  rapids,  when  all  the  still  water 
is  covered  with  ice.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS   ANAS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  flat,  long,  and  slightly  wider  near  end  than 
toward  base  ;  wing  with  purple  or  green  iridescent  speculum  occupying  a 


48  DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND  SWANS 

large  space  on  secondaries ;  head  uncrested  except  for  the  slightly  elon- 
gated green  feathers  of  male  mallards  in  winter  plumage. 

KEY  TO   SPECIES   OF   ANAS. 

1.  Head  and  neck  iridescent  green  (winter  male)    .     .     .  boschas,  p.  48. 
1'.  Head  and  neck  finely  striped  and  specked  with  dusky. 

2.  Belly  mottled  gray  and  dusky  (summer  male,  female,  and  young). 

2'.  Belly  mottled  brown  and  dusky maculosa'  pi  49.' 

132.  Anas  boschas  Linn.    MALLARD. 

Male  in  winter  and  breeding  plumage.— Four  of  the  black  upper  tail  coverts 
recurved ;    head    and 
neck,  down  to  white 
collar,  rich  iridescent 
green  ;     chest     dark 
chestnut  brown ;  belly 
and  sides  gray  ;  wing 
with  iridescent  violet 
green    speculum  bor- 
dered by  black  and  white  bars  ;  rump 
and  upper  and  lower  tail  coverts  black. 
Male  in  summer  plumage :  like  female. 
Female   and   immature:  entire  plum- 
age variously  mottled,  scalloped,  and 
streaked   with    dusky   and    buff,   ex- 
cept for  plain  buffy  chin  and  white 
under  surface  of  wing ;  buff  predomi- 
nating  on   belly;    wing   as   in   male. 
Length:  20-25,  wing  10.25-12.00,  bill 
2.00-2.40. 

Distribution.  —  Northern        hemi-  Fi 

sphere ;   in    America     breeding  from 
southern  United  States  to  Alaska ;  south  in  winter  to  Panama. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  in  grass  or  weeds,  well  lined  with  down.    Eggs 
6  to  10,  pale  olive  or  buffy  green. 

The  mallard  is  the  best  known  of  all  the  American  ducks,  breed- 
ing at  large  over  the  country  and  migrating  north  and  south  in  great 
flocks,  feeding  extensivel/  on  wild  rice  and  various  grains  and  seeds, 
and  becoming  extremely  fat.  Its  large  size  and  delicious  flavor  ren- 
der it  an  important  and  much  sought  game  bird,  but  at  the  same 
time  threaten  it  with  partial  extermination.  Nature  has  done  her 
best  for  it  in  its  summer  dress,  for  nothing  could  be  more  protec- 
tively inconspicuous.  The  female  keeps  the  mottled  disguise  all 
winter.  In  fall,  however,  both  old  and  young  males  acquire  the 
rich  breeding  plumage  which  they  keep  until  after  the  eggs  are  laid 
in  spring.  The  male  then  doffs  his  bright  dress  and  in  his  dull  dis- 
guise can  be  distinguished  from  the  female  only  by  his  soft  voice, 
a  mere  whispered  imitation  of  her  loud  quack,  quack.  When  both 
old  birds  are  away  from  the  nest,  the  eggs  are  left  carefully  covered 
with  down.  VERNON  BAILEY. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  49 

I34a.  Anas  fulvigula  maculosa  (Senn.).    MOTTLED  DUCK. 

Sexes  similar,  resembling  a  dark-colored  female  mallard.  Head  and 
neck  buff y,  finely  streaked  with  dusky  ;  under  parts  mottled  about  equally 
with  dusky  and  light  brown  ;  feathers  of  breast  and  back  with  brown  cen- 
ters and  margins  ;  speculum  of  wing  greenish  purple  framed  in  black,  the 
feathers  tipped  with  white.  Wing :  10.05,  bill  2.25. 

Distribution.  —  From  Central  Mexico  north  to  Kansas  and  Colorado. 

Eggs.  —  Pale  buff  y. 

The  habits  of  the  mottled  duck  are  similar  to  those  of  the  mal- 
lard. 

GENUS    CHAULELASMUS. 

135.  Chaulelasmus  streperus  (Linn.).    GADWALL. 

Tail  feathers  16.  Adult  male  :  top  of  head  with  wide  low  crest ;  head 
and  body  gray,  crossed  with  wavy  lines  of  black  and  white  ;  rump  and 
upper  and  lower  tail  coverts  black ;  wing  marked  with  black,  white,  and 
bright  brown  ;  belly  white.  Post-breeding  plumage :  duller  and  more  spotted 
below.  Adult  female:  head  without  crest ;  head  and  neck  finely  specked 
with  dusky  on  a  buffy  or  whitish  ground  ;  chin  and  belly  white  ;  rest  of 
body  with  feathers  dusky,  bordered  with  buff.  Male  :  length  19.25-21.75, 
wing  10.25-11.00,  bill  1.60-1.75.  Female:  length  18,  wing  10.00-10.25, 
bill  1.55-1.65. 

Remarks.  —  The  female  resembles  the  female  mallard,  but  may  be  distin- 
guished by  white  chin  and  belly,  gray  under  surface  of  wing,  and  white 
instead  of  green  speculum. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  hemisphere,  including  the  whole  of  North 
America. 

Nest.  —  Like  that  of  the  mallard.  Eggs :  8  to  12,  pale  buffy  or  creamy 
white. 

In  habits  the  gad  wall  is  much  like  the  mallard,  being  a  bird  of  the 
ponds  and  marshes  and  breeding  more  or  less  commonly  over  much 
of  North  America,  especially  on  the  plains  and  prairies. 

GENUS   MAKECA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  feathers  14 ;  male  with  short  crest,  adult  male 
with  white  crown  ;  bill  small,  widest  near  base.  * 

KEY  TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Sides  of  head  and  neck  rich  russet  brown  (specked  with  dusky  in  im- 
mature)      (male)  penelope,  p.  49. 

1'.  Sides  of  head  and  neck  thickly  specked  with  dusky  on  light  buff  or 

whitish  ground. 

2.  Crest  and  sides  of  crown  metallic  green    .  (male)  americana,  p.  50. 
2'.  Whole  head  and  neck  streaked  and  specked. 
3.  Head  and  neck  streaked  on  whitish  ground. 

(female)  americana,  p.  50. 
3  .  Head  and  neck  streaked  on  buff  ground. 

(female)  penelope,  p.  49. 

136.  Mareca  penelope  (Linn.).    WIDGEON. 

Adult  male.  —  Bill  blue  with  black  tip  ;  crown  white  or  creamy ;  rest  of 
head  and  neck  rich  russet  brown,  more  or  less  specked  with  black  ;  chest 


50 


DUCKS,  GEESE,   AND   SWANS 


light  vinaceous  brown  ;  back,  rump,  and  sides  gray  crossed  by  fine  wavy 
black  and  white  lines ;  wing  with  green  speculum  framed  in  black,  and 
bordered  above  by  large  white  patch  ;  under,  and  sides  of  upper,  tail 
coverts,  black.  Adult  female  :  head  and  neck  thickly  specked  all  over 
with  dusky  on  buff  ;  breast,  sides,  and  back  mottled  with  duskv  and  buff  ; 
speculum  grayish,  bordered  above  and  below  by  narrow  white  tips  to 
feathers.  Young  male :  head  and  neck  brown,  thickly  specked  with  black ; 
breast  and  sides  dull  brown,  back  mottled  duskv  and  brown.  Length:  18— 
20,  wing  10-11,  bill  1.35-1.45. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  Old  World,  occurring  rarely  in  eastern 
United  States,  Nebraska,  California,  and  Alaska. 

137.  Mareca  americana  (GmeL).    BALDPATE. 

Adult  male.  —  Bill  blue  with  black  tip ;  crown  white,  bordered  on  sides 

and  back  with  wide 
patch  of  metallic 
green  ;  rest  of  head 
and  neck  finely 
specked  with  dusky 
over  buffy ;  chest 
and  sides  grayish 
lavender  or  vina- 
ceous, often  barred 
and  specked  with 
dusky ;  belly  white ; 
back  dark  gray 
crossed  with  wavy 
lines  of  black,  white, 
and  lavender ;  spec- 

„.     c-,,  ulum  green,  framed 

Fig.  Go.  '     ,     , 

in    velvety    black ; 

bordered  above  by  large  white  patch  ;  lower,  and  sides  of  upper,  tail 
coverts,  black.  Adult  female :  head  and  neck  finely  specked  with  dusky 
on  whitish  ground,  the  dusky  predominating  on  top  of  head  ;  chest,  sides, 
and  back  dull  brown,  mottled  with  blackish  ;  belly  white  ;  wing  with  dull 
black  speculum  bordered  above  and  below  by  white.  Length:  18-22,  wing 
10.25-11.00,  bill  1.30-1.50. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  from  Texas  to  North 
Dakota,  and  northward. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  in  a  bunch  of  grass,  under  a  bush,  or  in  a  depres- 
sion lined  with  grass,  leaves,  and  down.  Eggs:  10  or  11,  creamy  or  buffy 
white. 

Like  most  of  the  shoal  water  ducks,  Colonel  Goss  tells  us,  the 
baldpates  are  to  be  looked  for  along  the  edges  of  lagoons,  grassy 
lakes,  and  pools  of  water.  The  birds  are  not  shy,  he  says,  and  "  their 
note,  a  sort  of  whew,  whew,  whew,  uttered  while  feeding  and  swim- 
ming, enables  the  hunter  to  locate  them  in  the  thickest  growth  of 
water  plants ;  and  when  in  the  air  the  whistling  noise  made  by  their 
wings  heralds  their  approach."  Ordinarily  their  food  habits  are  the 
same  as  those  of  the  gadwall,  but  in  the  fall  they  often  attach  them- 
selves to  a  party  of  canvas-backs  or  other  deep  water  ducks,  that 
feed  on  Vallisneria,  and  following  them  about  lie  in  wait  while  the 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  51 

divers  are  below,  and  as  their  heads  appear  above  the  surface  snatch 
their  catch  and  hurry  away  to  swallow  it  at  leisure. 

GENUS   NETTION. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  feathers  16 ;  sides  of  bill  parallel  throughout ; 
upper  and  lower  outlines  in  front  of  nostril  straight ;  wing  with  speculum 
bright  green ;  head  of  male  in  winter  and  breeding  plumage  with  short 
crest. 

KEY  TO   ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Sides  and  shoulders  finely  lined  with  black  and  white,  and  shoulders 
crossed  by  white  bar carolinensis,  p.  51. 

1 '.  Sides  and  shoulders  coarsely  lined  with  black  and  white  ;  shoulders 
without  white  bar crecca,  p.  51. 

[138.]  Nettion  crecca  (Linn.}.     EUROPEAN  TEAL. 

Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  carolinensis  but  shoulder  without  white  bar,  and 
black  lines  and  spots  on  body  heavier  and  coarser.  Adult  female:  indis- 
tinguishable from  female  carolinensis. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  Old  World,  occasional  in  northern  part 
of  North  America  and  in  California. 

139.  Nettion  carolinensis  (GmeL).     GREEN-WINGED  TEAL. 

Adult  male.  — Head  light  chestnut,  forehead  and  cbin  blackish  ;  a  wide 
crescent  of  green  and  black  inclosing  eye  and  reaching  to  base  of  crest ;  breast 
buffy,  spotted  with  black  ;  back 
gray,  shoulders  crossed  by  white 
bar ;  shoulders  and  sides  finely 
cross-lined  with  black  and  white  ; 
wing  with  green  and  black  specu- 
lum, bordered  above  by  buff  and 
below  by  white  ;  under  tail  coverts 
black,  bordered  by  rich  buff.  Adult 
female :  back,  sides,  and  breast 
dusky,  scalloped  and  mottled  with 
buff ;  throat  and  belly  whitish  ; 
base  of  wing  slaty ;  wing  with 
speculum  as  in  male.  Young  male : 
belly  white.  Length:  12.50-15.00,  wing  6.25-7.40,  bill  1.40-1.60. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  in  Colorado,  Oregon, 
and  California,  but  mainly  north  of  the  United  States  :  in  winter  south  to 
Honduras  and  Cuba. 

Nest.  —  In  a  tuft  of  grass,  or  on  dry  ground  among  willows,  made  of 
grass  and  lined  with  down.  Eggs:  usually  9  to  12,  sometimes  16  to  18, 
pale  buff. 

The  green-winged  teal,  like  most  of  its  near  relatives,  is  far  more 
a  duck  of  the  marshes,  grass-fringed  ponds,  meadow  creeks,  and 
irrigation  ditches  than  of  the  clear  lakes  and  streams.  Like  the 
mallard,  and  often  in  its  company,  the  teal  are  fond  of  feeding  in 
shallow  water  where,  by  standing  on  their  heads,  —  with  tails  and 
sometimes  feet  sticking  up  out  of  the  water,  —  they  can  reach  the 
bottom  to  grub  up  the  tender  roots  and  water  plants,  and  sift  out 


52  DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND  SWANS 

the  sunken  seeds.    They  become  excessively  fat,  and  although  the 
smallest,  are  one  of  the  most  delicious  of  our  ducks. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS   QUERQUEDULA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  feathers  14,  bill  of  nearly  uniform  width  ; 
upper  and  lo\ver  outlines  swollen  toward  end  ;  wing  with  large  patch  of 
light  blue,  speculum  green  in  males. 

KEY   TO   ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Lower  parts  clear  bright  cinnamon    .....     cyanoptera,  p.  52. 
1'.  Lower  parts  thickly  spotted  with  dusky  on  vinaceous  .  discors,  p.  52. 

KEY  TO    FEMALES. 

1.  Under  parts  mottled  dusky  and  dark  buff    ...  cyanoptera,  p.  52. 
1'.  Under  parts  mottled  dusky  and  gray   ......     discors,  p.  52. 

140.  Querquedula  discors  (Linn.).    BLUE-WINGED  TEAL. 

Adult  male.  —  Sides  of  head  slaty  gray,  with  purple  gloss  ;  white  crescent 
in  front  of  eye  bordered  by  black  ;  under 

^^jfB^t^  parts    vinaceous,    finely     spotted     with 

^Hg    ^fc^W  dusky  ;  back  scalloped  and  streaked  with 

^m  <*J^.  dusky  and  vinaceous  ;  wing  bright  blue 

mSJI  ^m%Btir>i         at  base,  middle  coverts  tipped  with  white 

j^^^HB^^^I  and   huffy,   speculum    iridescent    green  ; 

^K/^  under  tail  coverts  black,  base  of  tail  with 

^H  white  patch  on  either  side.    Adult  female  : 

\gH      |lL  crown  mainly  dusky,  rest  of  head   and 

31       ?p^k  neck  speckled  and  streaked  with  dusky  ; 

dns^  back  dusky  ;  under  parts  gray,  mottled 

F-     gg^  with   dusky  ;   wing   with    lesser    coverts 

blue,    greater   tipped    with   white,  spec- 

ulum greenish.    Young  :  belly  white,  wing  without  green.   Length  :  14.50- 
16.00,  wing  7.00-7.50,  bill  1.40-1.65. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  but  chiefly  east  of  Rocky  Mountains  ;  in 
winter  south  to  Ecuador. 

Nest  .  —  On  dry  ground,  or  in  grass  or  reeds  in  marshes  ;  made  of  grass 
and  lined  with  feathers.  Eggs  :  8  to  12,  pale  buffy. 

The  blue-winged  teal  is  one  of  the  commonest  ducks  throughout 
the  middle  portion  of  North  America,  but  towards  the  west  coast  it 
becomes  scarce,  its  place  being  filled  by  the  more  abundant  cinna- 
mon teal.  It  breeds  through  most  of  its  United  States  and  northern 
range  and  migrates  early,  before  the  really  cold  weather.  By  prefer- 
ence it  inhabits  the  marshes  and  grass-fringed  ponds,  keeping  out  of 
sight  when  it  can  ;  but  during  migration,  like  many  other  ducks, 
it  depends  for  safety  on  a  wide  expanse  of  open  water. 

N  BAILEY. 


141.  Querquedula  cyanoptera  (VieilL).     CINNAMON  TEAL. 
Adult  male.  —  Head,  neck,  breast,  and  sides  bright  cinnamon  brown, 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  53 

fading  to  dull  brown  on  belly  and  becoming  blackish  on  chin  and  crown ; 

back   dusky,    shoulders  spotted   and 

barred  with  dusky  and  brown ;  wing 

with  lesser  coverts  light  blue,  middle 

coverts  tipped  with  white,  speculum 

green,  tertials  broadly   striped  with 

blue,   greenish   black,  and  rich  buff. 

Adult  female :  crown   dusky,  rest   of 

head    and   neck    finely   specked  and 

streaked  with  dusky  on  buff y  ground  ; 

rest  of  upper  parts  dusky  scalloped 

with    buff ;    wing    with    large    blue 

patch  ;  under  parts  brownish,  mottled 

with   dusky.       Young:    like    female, 

but   more    streaked  below.     Length  : 

15.50-17.00,  wing  7.20-7.25,  bill  1.65- 

1.85. 

Remarks.  —  The  female  cyanoptera 
differs    from   the  female    discors   in  Fl*'  C9'    Cinnamon  Teal, 

darker  coloration,  with  the  breast  browner,  and  more  spotted. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Canada  and  the  western  United  States  to 
Chili  and  Falkland  Islands ;  east  irregularly  into  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground.     Eggs :  8  to  12,  creamy  white. 

Over  most  of  the  United  States  west  of  the  hundredth  meridian 
the  cinnamon  teal  is  one  of  the  commonest  ducks,  breeding  in  abun- 
dance throughout  the  Great  Basin  country,  and  to  some  extent  over 
the  greater  part  of  its  United  States  range.  Its  favorite  summer 
home  is  in  the  shallow  tule-bordered  lakes  or  tule  marshes  of  the 
arid  region,  where,  even  in  the  breeding  season,  it  is  found  in  little 
companies  feeding  along  shore  or  out  in  the  open  patches  of  water. 
The  nest  is  usually  in  a  dry  marsh  or  on  a  grassy  bank  not  far  from 
the  water,  well  lined  with  dusky  down  from  the  duck's  breast.  The 
young  are  protected  in  the  tule  cover  until  old  enough  to  fly,  but 
they  have  many  enemies.  The  prowling  coyote  dines  with  equal 
relish  on  a  nest  full  of  eggs  or  an  unwary  duck,  and  there  are  hawks 
by  day  and  owls  by  night. 

The  teals  could  hold  their  own  against  these  old-time  enemies, 
however,  but  a  new  danger  has  come  to  them  in  the  form  of  the 
unrestrained  market  hunter.  He  goes  to  the  breeding  ground  just 
before  the  young  can  fly  and  while  the  old  ducks  are  moulting  and 
equally  helpless,  and  day  after  day  loads  his  wagon  with  them  for 
the  train.  This  wholesale  slaughter  has  gone  on  until  some  of  the 
breeding  grounds  have  been  woefully  thinned  not  only  of  teal,  but 
of  other  ducks.  Without  speedy  and  strenuous  efforts  to  procure 
and  enforce  protective  laws,  many  species  of  ducks  that  breed  prin- 
cipally within  our  limits  will  soon  be  exterminated. 

VEBNON  BAILEY. 


54  DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND  SWANS 

GENUS   SPATULA. 

142.  Spatula  clypeata  (Linn.).    SHOVELLER  :  SPOONBILL. 

Bill  long,  much  widened  toward  end  ;  the  long,  fine  comb-like  teeth 
conspicuous  along  side  of  closed  bill.  Adult  male  :  head  and  neck  black, 
glossed  on  sides  and  back  with  green  ;  wing  coverts  light  blue  with  a  white 
bar  ;  scapulars  streaked  with  blue,  white,  and  black ;  speculum  green ; 
chest  white,  belly  chestnut ;  bill  black,  feet  orange.  Adult  female :  plum- 
age mainly  spotted  and  streaked  with  dusky  and  brown ;  wing  as  in  the 
male,  but  duller.  Young:  in  general  like  adult  female.  Length:  17-21, 
wing  9-10,  bill  2.60-2.90,  width  of  bill  at  base  .60,  near  end  1.10-1.20. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  hemisphere,  breeding  in  North  America  from 
Texas  to  Hudson  Bay  and  Alaska. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  dry  grass  or  under  bushes,  made  of  grass  or 
weeds,  lined  with  feathers.  Eggs :  9  to  14,  olive  greenish  to  buffy. 

The  shoveller  is  especially  common  over  the  plains  and  valleys  of 
the  western  part  of  the  continent,  breeding  from  Texas  to  northern 
Alaska  in  the  open  country  where  there  are  shallow  ponds  and 
sloughs.  They  are  usually  found  in  pairs  or  small  flocks,  sitting  on 
the  bank  or  puddling  in  the  shallow  water  close  to  shore,  skimming 
flies  and  larvae  from  the  surface  with  their  spoon-like  bills,  or  with 
head  and  neck  under  water,  sifting  seeds,  mollusks,  and  crustaceans 
from  the  muddy  bottom.  They  rarely  become  fat,  and  while  fairly 
good  eating  are  astonishingly  thin  and  light  for  their  apparent  size. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS    DAFILA. 

143.  Daflla  acuta  (Linn.).     PINTAIL. 

A  large  duck,  with  long  neck  and  long,  sharp  tail  of  16  feathers  ;  head 
not  crested.  Adult  male  :  sides  of  head  snuff  brown,  with  a  purple  gloss  ; 


Fig.  70. 


crown  darker,  back  of  neck  blackish,  a  white  stripe  down  side  of  neck  ; 
throat  and  under  parts  white  ;  sides  and  upper  parts  gray  crossed  by  wavy 
lines  ;  wing  slaty,  with  purple  speculum  bordered  above  by  a  line  of  buff, 
and  below  by  white  ;  tertials  with  broad  stripes  of  velvety  black  and 
white  ;  under  tail  coverts  black.  Adult  female :  gray,  with  head  and  neck 
finely  specked,  and  under  parts,  including  under  surface  of  wing,  finely 
mottled  with  dusky ;  back  and  wings  more  heavily  mottled  with  black, 
brown,  and  buffy  ;  wing  without  speculum,  but  greater  coverts  tipped 
with  white.  Male:  length  26-30,  wing  10.25-11.20,  bill  1.85-2.15,  tail 
7.25-9.50.  Female:  smaller,  length  21.00-23.50,  wing  9.60-10.10,  bill 
1.80,  taU  4.50-5.00. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS 


55 


Distribution.  —  Northern  hemisphere,  breeding  from  Arizona,  Missouri, 
and  Illinois  northward  ;  migrating  to  Cuba  and  Panama. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  in  a  well  concealed  depression ;  lined  with  grass 
and  feathers.  Eggs  :  7  to  10,  pale  greenish  to  olive  buff. 

The  pintail  is  a  common  and  widely  distributed  species,  breeding 
from  southern  California,  Arizona,  and  Iowa  north  to  Point  Barrow. 
In  Kansas,  Goss  says,  it  haunts  the  wet  prairies,  muddy  flats,  and 
edges  of  reedy,  grassy  waters,  feeding  largely  on  bulbous  roots, 
tender  shoots,  insects  and  their  larvae,  worms,  snails,  and,  in  the  fall, 
various  seeds  of  water  plants,  grain,  and  acorns.  At  Point  Reyes, 
California,  large  flocks  of  the  pintails  were  seen  by  J.  A.  Loring 
lying  out  in  the  bay  waiting  for  the  tide  to  come  in.  As  soon  as  it 
covered  the  salt  grass  flats  they  would  follow  it  in  and  go  to  feeding. 

GENUS    AIX. 

144.  Aix  sponsa  (Linn.).    WOOD  DUCK. 

Bill  narrow,  higher  than  wide  at  base.  Both  sexes  with  drooping  crests. 
Adult  male:  bill  marked 
with  black,  white,  red,  and 
yellow ;  head  and  crest 
brilliant  purple  and  green, 
with  white  stripes  ;  throat 
white  ;  chest  rich  chestnut, 
with  rows  of  white  trian- 
gles; sides  gray,  with  black 
and  white  bars  and  cres- 
cents ;  shoulder  crossed  by 
black  and  white  bars  ;  rest 
of  upper  parts  black, varied 
with  rich  iridescent  colors. 
Adult  female  :  head  dull 
grayish,  glossed  with  green 
on  crest  and  crown ;  sides 
of  head  and  throat  white  ; 
chest  brown,  belly  white  ; 
back  richly  glossed  grayish 
brown.  Male  .-length  19.00- 
20.50,  wing  9.00-9.50,  bill 
1.40.  Female  smaller. 

Distribution.  —  Temperate  North  America,  from  southern  Canada  south- 
ward. 

Nest.  —  Usually  30  to  40  feet  from  the  ground  in  the  natural  cavity  of  a 
tree  trunk,  lined  with  down.  Eggs :  usually  8  to  14,  creamy  white. 

If  the  end  of  a  rainbow  had  touched  a  marsh  and  dabbled  its  colors 
over  a  plain  brown  duck,  it  could  never  have  produced  anything  half 
so  brilliant  as  one  of  these  old  male  wood  ducks  in  full  breeding 
plumage.  No  wonder  the  handsome  fellows  are  shy  and  deem  it 
prudent  to  keep  hidden  in  crooked  forest  creeks  or  ponds  surrounded 
by  tall  grass,  brush,  and  trees  !  A  mossy  log  in  a  pond  is  a  favorite 


56 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND  SWANS 


resting  place  for  the  ducks,  but  as  you  walk  through  the  woods  in 
spring  a  pair  will  often  fly  from  a  branch  overhead,  uttering  their 
shrill,  plaintive  cry  as  they  dart  through  the  trees. 

The  nest  is  sometimes  placed  in  the  old  excavation  of  a  pileated 
woodpecker,  but  usually  in  a  natural  cavity.  A  mass  of  gray  down 
from  the  mother's  breast  generally  protects  the  eggs.  The  parents 
are  said  to  carry  the  young  in  their  bills  from  the  nest  to  the  nearest 
water,  but  in  some  cases,  whether  accidentally  or  not,  the  young 
tumble  to  the  ground.  In  autumn  the  families  gather  into  large 
flocks  to  fatten  on  wild  rice  and  acorns.  When  fat  the  flesh  is 
scarcely  excelled  by  that  of  any  duck.  They  are  becoming  scarce, 
and  unless  protected  will  before  long  be  a  bird  of  the  past. 

GENUS   AYTHYA. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  not  crested,  but  short,  thick,  and  rounded  ; 
tail  short  and  rigid  ;  wing  with  white  or  bluish  speculum. 

KEY   TO   ADULT  MALES. 

1.  Head  and  neck  bright  brown. 

2.  Crown  dusky vallisneria,  p.  57. 

2'.  Crown  reddish  brown americana,  p.  56. 

1'.  Head  and  neck  greenish  or  purplish  black. 

2.  Head  glossed  with  green marila,  p.  57. 

2'.  Head  glossed  with  purple. 

3.  Neck  without  chestnut  collar affinis,  p.  58. 

o'.  Neck  with  dark  chestnut  collar collaris,  p.  59. 

146.  Aythya  americana  (Eyt.).    REDHEAD. 

Bill  little  more  than  twice  as  long  as  wide.     Adult  male :  whole  head 

and  neck  bright  reddish 
chestnut  ;  shoulders  and 
chest  black ;  belly  white  ; 
sides  and  back  uniform 
gray,  with  fine  lines  of  black 
and  ashy ;  tail  and  feathers 
around  base  black.  Adult 
female :  plumage  dull  gray- 
ish brown  except  for  whit- 
ish chin,  throat,  and  belly. 
Length  :  17-21,  wing  8.50- 
9.25,  bill  2.05-2.25,  width 
of  bill  .75-.8o. 

Distribution.  — Nearly  the 
whole  of  North  America, 
breeding  from  California, 
Missouri,  and  Maine,  north- 
ward. Not  reported  from 
Fig.  72.  Alaska. 

Nest.  —  On    marshy    or 

grassy  ground  near  water,  loosely  constructed  of  grass  and  weeds,  and  lined 
with  down.  Eggs :  1  to  10,  grayish  white  or  pale  olive. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  67 

The  redhead  is  so  similar  to  the  canvas-back  as  to  be  easily  mis- 
taken for  it  at  a  little  distance,  and  in  habits  the  resemblance  is 
equally  close.  Goss  says  that  this  deep  water  duck,  though  widely 
distributed,  is  not  so  common  on  the  Pacific  slope  as  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains.  It  is  usually  found  in  flocks  on  the  open  water 
associated  with  canvas-backs,  and  diving  with  them  for  its  food, 
which  consists  of  various  kinds  of  submarine  and  fresh  water  plants, 
small  mollusks,  crustaceans,  fish,  frogs,  and  water  newts. 

147.  Aythya  vallisneria  ( Wils.}.    CANVAS-BACK. 

Bill  three  times  as  long  as  wide.     Adult  male:  head  and  neck   rich 

chestnut  brown,  becoming- 
dusky  on  crown  and  face  ; 
shoulders  and  chest  black  ; 
sides  and  back  light  gray  ; 
belly  white  or  grayish  ;  tail 
and  quills  dark  gray  ;  feath- 
ers around  base  of  tail  black. 
Adult  female:  plumage 
mainly  umber  brown,  becom- 
ing whitish  around  face  and 
chin.  Length:  20.00-23.50, 
wing  8.75-9.25,  bill  2.10-2.50. 
Distribution.  —  Whole  of 
North  America,  breeding  in 
Colorado,Nevada,  Minnesota, 
and  northward  to  Fort  An- 
derson and  Fort  Yukon. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  reeds, 
grass,  or  rushes,  in  shallow 
water,  a  bulky  mass  of  grass 
stems  lined  with  down.  Eggs: 
7  to  8,  pale  olive  green. 

Fig- 73-  In  its  breeding  range  the 

canvas-back  is  largely  a  bird  of  the  northern  interior,  while  in  winter 
it  is  found  mainly  in  the  bays  and  estuaries  of  the  southern  coasts, 
where  it  is  attracted  by  its  favorite  food,  the  stems  and  bulbs  of  wild 
celery  or  eel  grass,  Vallisneria.  While  feeding  on  this  plant  the 
canvas-backs  become  fat  and  so  delicately  flavored  as  to  outrank  all 
other  ducks  in  quality  and  market  price.  Hunted  wherever  they 
go,  they  have  learned  that  existence  depends  on  eternal  vigilance, 
and  so  keep  out  in  open  water  as  far  from  shore  as  their  feeding 
grounds  will  allow.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

Subgenus  Fuligula. 

148.  Aythya  marila  (Linn.).    SCAUP  DUCK:  BLUE-BILL. 

Bill  short  and  wide,  bluish  with  black  tip.  Male  in  breeding  plumage  : 
head  black,  glossed  with  green ;  shoulders,  rump,  and  chest  black  ;  belly 
white,  margined  along  sides  with  light  grayish;  crissum  black.  Post- 


58  DUCKS,  GEESE,   AND  SWANS 

breeding  plumage :  similar  to  female 
but  darker  brown.  Adult  female:  head, 
neck,  chest,  and  sides  brownish ;  re- 
gion around  base  of  bill,  and  belly, 
whitish.  Length:  18-20,  wing  about 
8.50,  bill  2.03. 

Distribution.  —  Most  of  the  northern 
hemisphere ;  in  North  America  breed- 
ing mainly  north  of  the  United  States ; 
south  in  winter  to  Guatemala  and  the 
West  Indies. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  a  marsh,  or  a  de- 
pression in  grassy  ground  near  water, 
lined  with  down.  Eggs :  9  to  12,  pale 
olive  gray. 

The  scaup  duck,  or  blue-bill,  is  not 
so  generally  common  in  the  United 

Fig.  74.     Scaup  Duck.  gtates    ag    the    lesser    scaup)     which 

has  essentially  the  same  habits  and  is  sometimes  mistaken  for  it. 
Flocks  of  both  are  found  associated  in  the  rice  lakes,  where  the 
report  of  a  gun  will  sometimes  start  thousands  into  the  air  with  the 
roar  of  an  avalanche.  The  two  species  are  generally  indistinguish- 
able on  the  wing,  and  together  often  form  the  bulk  of  the  ducks 
seen  during  the  early  spring  or  late  fall  migration. 

VEKNON  BAILEY. 

149.  Aythya  affinis  (Eyt.).    LESSER  SCAUP  DUCK. 

Like  A.  marila,  but  smaller,  with  black  of  head  glossed  with  purple 
instead  of  green,  and  sides  more  heavily  lined  with  gray.  Length  :  15.00- 
16.50,  wing  7.50-8.25,  bill  1.58-1.90,  width  of  bill  .80-.95. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  south  in  winter  to  Guatemala,  breed- 
ing mainly  north  of  the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  Similar  to  that  of  marila.     Eggs  :  7  to  9,  pale  olive  gray. 

The  lesser  scaup,  or  little  blue-bill,  is  abundant  during  migrations 
over  most  of  the  United  States,  wintering  from  Okanagan  and  Lake 
Chelan  south  to  Guatemala,  and  in  spring  following  north  close  to 
the  edge  of  the  retreating  ice,  to  breed  mainly  north  of  the  United 
States. 

Like  all  of  the  genus,  the  lesser  scaups  are  great  divers  and  keep 
much  in  the  open  lakes,  often  in  large  flocks,  where  they  dive  for 
food,  or  sleep  and  rest  on  the  water  in  comparative  safety.  They 
cannot  resist  the  temptation  of  the  rice  lakes,  however,  and  swarm 
into  them  by  thousands  to  fatten  on  the  delicious  grain,  which  they 
glean  from  the  mud  bottoms  after  it  has  been  threshed  out  by  the 
wind  and  the  wings  of  myriads  of  coots  and  rails.  While  they  eat, 
the  hunters  lie  hidden  in  the  tall  rice  and  on  the  ridges  which  they 
must  pass  in  going  from  lake  to  lake,  and  in  spite  of  their  bullet-like 
flight  the  sadly  thinned  flocks  show  the  penalty  they  have  paid  for 
leaving  the  open  water.  VERNON  BAILEY. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND  SWANS  59 

150.  Aythya  COllaris  (Donov.).    RLNG-NECKED  DUCK. 

Bill  narrower  than  in  A.  marila,  black,  crossed  by  blue  band  near  end. 
Adult  male :  head,  except  small  white  triangle  on  chin,  black,  glossed 
with  rich  purple  ;  neck  encircled  by  narrow  chestnut  collar  ;  chest  and 
back  black,  back  glossed  with  greenish  ;  wings  blackish,  with  blue  gray 
speculum ;  middle  of  belly  buffy  white  ;  sides  finely  vermiculated  gray ; 
crissum  black.  Adult  female  :  throat  and  face  whitish,  rest  of  head,  neck, 
and  upper  parts  dull  brown  ;  wing  with  blue  gray  speculum  as  in  male  ; 
chest  and  sides  fulvous,  belly  white.  Length:  15.50-18.00,  wing  8.00, 
bill  1.75-2.00. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  south  in  winter  to  Guatemala,  breeding 
from  Minnesota  and  North  Dakota  northward. 

Nest  and  eggs  as  in  affinis. 

In  habits,  as  well  as  in  general  appearance,  the  ring-neck  is  very 
similar  to  the  lesser  scaup,  but  on  the  water  may  often  be  distin- 
guished by  a  white  patch  on  the  side,  at  bend  of  wing. 

GENUS   CLANGTJLA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  short,  high  at  base  and  narrowed  toward  end  ; 
head  with  wide,  high  crest ;  males  with  head  green  and  large  white  spot 
at  base  of  bill ;  females  with  head  and  crest  plain  brownish. 

KEY   TO  ADULT   MALES. 

1.  White  patch  on  cheek,  circular americana,  p.  59. 

1'.  White  patch  on  cheek,  triangular islandica,  p.  60. 

KEY    TO    FEMALES. 

1.  Head  light  snuff  brown americana,  p.  59. 

1'.  Head  dark  umber  brown islandica,  p.  60. 

151.  Clangula    clangula    americana    (Bonap.).    AMERICAN 

GOLDEN-EYE. 

Adult  male.  —  Head  and  crest  rich  dark  green,  a  round  white  patch  at 
base  of  bill ;  neck  and  under  parts 
white  ;  back  black,  shoulders  white  ; 
wing  with  white  central  patch  and 
white  stripes  on  scapulars.  Adult 
female :  head  and  upper  neck  light 
snuff  brown,  neck  with  wide  white 
or  gray  collar ;  belly  white  ;  chest, 
sides,  and  shoulders  gray  ;  wing 
dusky,  with  white  on  coverts  and 
secondaries,  the  white  greater  cov- 
erts not  tipped  with  dusky.  Nail  of 
bill  not  over  .20  wide.  Young  male : 
like  female,  but  sometimes  with  a 
suggestion  of  the  white  patch  at 
base  of  bill,  and  less  gray  on  chest. 
Male  :  length  18.50-23.00,  wing  9.18, 
bill  1.95.  Female:  16.50,  wing  8.14, 
bill  1.64. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  breeding  in  the  northern  United  States 
and  northward ;  south  in  winter  to  Cuba  and  Mexico. 


60 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND  SWANS 


Nest.  —  Usually  in  a  hollow  tree,  sometimes  in  a  log  or  stump,  lined  with 
down.  Eggs :  usually  9  to  12,  light  greenish. 

Although  ranging  practically  over  the  whole  of  North  America 
the  golden-eyes  are  rarely  common.  They  are  generally  found  in 
small  flocks  on  large  lakes  or  rivers,  where  they  dive  for  fresh 
water  weeds,  mussels,  and  crustaceans.  Their  strong  rapid  flight 
is  accompanied  by  a  loud  whistling  of  the  wings,  which  gives  them 
the  common  name  of  whistler.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

152.  Clangula  islandica  (Gmel.).    BARROW  GOLDEN-EYE. 
Similar  to  americana,  but  male  with  glossy  blue  black  head,  and  tri- 
angular or  crescent-shaped  spot  at  base  of  bill;  female  with  head  and 
neck  dark  umber  brown,  white  collar  narrower,  and  white  greater  wing 
coverts  tipped  with  dusky  ;  nail  of  bill  over  .23  wide.     Male  :  length  21- 
23,  wing  9.17,  bill  1.75.   "Female  :  wing  8.46,  bill  1.56. 

Remarks.  —  In  many  of  the  females  the  characters  do  not  hold,  and  it 
is  difficult  even  with  specimens  of  both  species  to  name  them  all. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America,  breeding  from  mountains  of 
Oregon,  Colorado,  and  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  northward  to  Alaska  and  Green- 
land ;  south  in  winter  to  Illinois,  Nebraska,  Utah,  and  San  Francisco  Bay. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  trees. 

The  Barrow  golden-eye,  though  less  common  and  less  widely  dis- 
tributed in  migration,  breeds  farther  south  than  its  near  relative  the 
American  golden-eye,  nesting  in  the  crater  basin  of  Paulina  Lake, 
Oregon,  and  about  many  of  the  wild  mountain  lakes  of  the  Rockies 
as  far  south  as  Colorado.  In  winter  it  is  able  to  remain  as  far  north 
as  Minnesota  or  the  Great  Lakes  by  keeping  in  water  that  is  too 
deep  or  rapid  to  freeze.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS    CHARITONETTA. 

153.  Charitonetta  albeola  (Linn.).    BDFFLE-HEAD. 

A  plump  little  duck  with  short,  pointed  bill  and  round,  crested  head. 

Adult  male :  head,  except 
white  patch,  rich  iridescent 
purple,  violet,  and  green ; 
back  and  part  of  wings 
black  ;  rump  and  tail  gray  ; 
rest  of  plumage  white.  Adult 
female :  mainly  grayish  or 
dusky,  with  a  large  white  spot 
on  ear  coverts  and  white  patch 
on  middle  of  wing ;  belly 
white.  Male  :  length  14.25- 
15.25,  wing  6.75-6.90,  bill 
1.10-1.15.  Female :  smaller. 
Distribution.  —  North 
America,  south  in  winter  to 
Mexico  ;  breeds  from  Maine, 
Iowa,  and  British  Columbia 
Fig.  76.  north  to  Alaska. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS 


61 


Nest.  —  In  hollow  tree  or  hole  in  bank.  Eggs :  9  to  14,  grayish  buff, 
unusually  rounded,  for  a  duck. 

During  migration  the  buffie-head  is  common  and  often  abundant 
over  most  of  the  western  United  States.  It  is  a  conspicuous  little 
duck,  and  the  male  is  easily  recognized  by  its  small  size,  white  sides, 
and  breast.  The  flocks  generally  keep  out  in  the  open  water  of 
lakes  and  rivers,  where  they  dive  for  their  food,  but  are  sometimes 
surprised  in  small  ponds  or  creeks  in  the  shelter  of  grassy  banks. 
In  fall  they  often  remain  till  the  last  hole  in  the  ice  is  closed  up, 
and  in  spring  are  back  again  close  to  the  retreating  ice. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS   HARELDA. 

154.  Harelda  hyemalis  (Linn.).    OLD-SQUAW. 

A  trim  little  duck  with  short  bill;  male  with  long1  slender  tail;  head 
not  crested.  Adult  male  in  winter  :  head  and  fore  parts  to  shoulders  and 
breast  white,  except  for 
patches  of  ashy  and  dusky 
on  side  of  head ;  back, 
middle  tail  feathers,  and 
breast  black  ;  belly  white 
posteriorly,  shading  into 
pearl  gray  on  sides.  Adult 
male  in  summer:  sooty,  ex- 
cept for  white  belly,  ash 
gray  face,  and  white  eye- 
lids ;  back  and  scapulars 
streaked  with  chestnut. 
Adult  female  in  winter  :  tail 
not  lengthened  ;  head, 
neck,  and  under  parts 
mainly  white  ;  chest  gray- 
ish ;  crown  dusky,  rest  of  upper  parts  dusky  brown,  the  scapulars  bor- 
dered with  lighter  brown.  Adult  female  in  summer:  head  and  neck 
grayish  brown,  with  whitish  spaces  around  eye  and  on  side  of  neck. 
Young :  similar  to  female  in  summer.  Male :  length  20.75—23.00,  wing 
8.50-9.00,  middle  tail  feathers 8.00-8.50,  bill  1.10.  Female:  length  15-16, 
wing  8-9,  tail  8. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere  ;  south  in  winter 
nearly  across  the  United  States  ;  breeding  from  Labrador  to  Alaska. 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  the  grassy  bank  of  a  pond  or  stream,  made  of  grass 
and  lined  with  down.  Eggs :  5  to  9. 

The  old-squaw,  or  long-tailed  duck,  is  mainly  a  bird  of  the  arctic 
coasts,  migrating  sometimes  entirely  across  the  United  States. 


Fig.  77. 


GENUS   HISTRIONICUS. 

155.  Histrionicus  histrionicus  (Linn.).    HARLEQUIN  DUCK. 
A  small    duck  with    moderate    crest,  short   bill,  and  long  sharp  tail. 


62  DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS 

Adult  male  in  winter  and  spring: 
head  and  neck  bluish  hlack,  with 
white  patches ;  collar  white  ;  shoul- 
der bar  black  and  white  ;  middle  of 
crown  black,  bordered  behind  by 
chestnut ;  chest  and  shoulders  dark 
plumbeous  ;  belly  sooty,  sides  bright 
rufous  ;  wing  with  steel  blue  specu- 
lum and  four  white  spots ;  rump 
black,  with  white  spot  on  each  side. 
Adult  male  in  summer :  colors  much 
duller  than  in  winter.  Adult  female : 
head,  neck,  and  upper  parts  sooty, 
with  a  white  spot  on  ear  coverts  and 
a  large  white  patch  on  side  of  face ; 
belly  mottled  grayish.  Length:  15.00- 
17.50,  wing  7.40-8.00,  bill  1.05-1.10. 
Distribution.  —  Eastern  Asia, 
Greenland,  Iceland,  and  northern 
North  America ;  south  to  the  middle 
states  in  winter  ;  breeding  from  New- 
foundland and  the  mountains  of  Col- 
Fig.  78.  Harlequin  Duck.  orado  and  California  northward  to 

the  arctic  coast. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  tree  or  stump  or  under  rocks  or  driftwood.  Eggs  :  6 
to  8. 

The  harlequin  duck  is  rare  enough  in  the  United  States  to  excite 
keen  interest,  especially  when  found  on  its  breeding  grounds.  A 
little  flock  of  the  richly  barred  and  spotted  beauties  fishing  in  a 
foaming  mountain  stream,  diving,  bobbing  on  the  rough  surface, 
drifting  or  darting  down  over  the  rapids,  and  then  gathering  in  a 
bunch  below  to  fly  back  up  stream  for  another  descent,  suggests  a 
lot  of  schoolboys  on  a  coasting  party  rather  than  a  flock  of  birds 
engaged  in  the  serious  business  of  getting  breakfast.  They  seem 
to  enjoy  the  icy  water  and  their  power  to  dare  and  buffet  its  tor- 
rents. Although  breeding  more  or  less  commonly  in  the  mountains 
from  Colorado  and  California  northward,  little  is  known  of  their 
nesting  habits.  Nests  are  reported  in  the  far  north  under  shelter  of 
rocks  and  driftwood.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS    OIDEMIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  with  base  much  swollen  (except  in  female 
americana),  partly  orange  in  males,  black  in  females  ;  colors  mainly  black 
or  dusky. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Feathering  of  head  stopping  far  short  of  nostrils  .    americana,  p.  63. 
1'.  Feathering  of  head  not  stopping  far  short  of  nostrils. 

2.  Lores  not  feathered  as  far  forward  as  forehead. 

perspicillata,  p.  63. 

2  .  Lores  feathered  as  far  forward  as  forehead     .     .     deglandi,  p.  63. 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  63 

Subgenus  Oidemia. 
163.  Oidemia  americana  Swains.    AMERICAN  SCOTER. 

Plumage  dark  without  white  markings ;  eyes  always  brown.  Adult 
male  :  bill  swollen  back  of  nostrils,  with  a  large  yellow  and  red  spot  at 
base,  including  nostrils  ;  plumage  black  or  sooty.  Adult  female :  bill 
black,  with  a  trace  of  yellow  at  base  in  breeding  plumage,  not  swollen  at 
base ;  upper  parts  dusky  brown,  under  parts  grayish  brown.  Young : 
like  female  but  lighter  and  indistinctly  barred  below.  Length :  17.00-21.50, 
wing  8.75-9.50,  bill  1.65-1.80. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  North  America,  breeding  in  Labrador, 
Hudson  Bay  region,  and  Alaska ;  south  in  winter  to  New  Jersey,  Illinois, 
Colorado,  and  southern  California. 

Nest.  —  In  grass  or  willows  near  water. 

The  American  scoter  is  a  duck  of  the  northern  seacoaats,  mi- 
grating but  sparingly  into  the  United  States. 

Subgenus  Melanitta. 

165.  Oidemia  deglandi  Bonap.    WHITE-WINGED  SCOTER. 

Bill  swollen  at  base  over  nostrils  and  on  sides  ;  tip  orange  in  male ; 
feathers  of  lores  coming  close 
to  nostrils,  as  far  forward  as 
those  of  forehead.  Adult  male  : 
eyes  white;  plumage  black  or 
sooty,  with  white  eye  patch  and 
wing  speculum.  Adult  female : 
eyes  brown ;  plumage  sooty 
gray,  darker  above  ;  wing 
speculum  white.  Length :  19.75— 
23.00,  wing  10.65-11.40,  bill 
1.40-1.70.  F.  79 

Distribution.  —  Northern 
North  America,  breeding  in  North  Dakota  but  mainly  north  of  the  United 
States ;  south  in  winter  to  Chesapeake  Bay,  Colorado,  and  Lower  Cali- 
fornia. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  grass,  twigs,  moss,  and 
down  ;  usually  concealed  among  dwarf  willows,  rosebushes,  or  spruces. 
Eggs  :  5  to  8,  deep  buff. 

The  white-winged  scoter  is  more  or  less  common  along  the  Pacific 
coast,  but  rare  inland  in  the  United  States. 

Subgenus  Pelionetta. 

166.  Oidemia  perspicillata  (Linn.).    SURF  SCOTER. 

Bill  with  swollen  sides  of  base  naked  ;  feathers  of  forehead  reaching 
to  near  nostril,  of  lores  only  to  corner  of  mouth ;  bill  black  and  less 
swollen  in  female  ;  red,  orange,  yellow,  and  white  in  male,  with  large 
black  spot  on  side  of  base.  Adult  male :  entire  plumage  velvety  black 
except  for  triangular  white  patch  on  forehead  and  another  on  back  of 
head ;  eyes  white.  Adult  female  :  upper  parts  sooty  brown,  under  parts 
silver  gray,  usually  with  white  patch  at  corner  of  mouth.  Young :  like 
female,  but  with  whitish  patches  at  base  of  bill  and  back  of  ear.  Male  ; 
length  20-22,  wing  9.25-9.75,  bill  1.30-1.60.  Female:  smaller. 


64  DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  breeding  from  Sitka  and  the  Gulf  of 
St.  Lawrence  north  to  the  arctic  regions  ;  south  in  winter  to  Florida, 
Colorado,  and  Lower  California. 

Nest .  —  In  a  bunch  of  marsh  grass,  on  ground  in  tall  grass,  or  under 
low  branches  of  scrubby  trees ;  made  of  plant  stems  and  lined  with  down. 
Eggs :  5  to  8,  cream  color. 

The  surf  scoters  are  abundant  on  both  coasts,  and  during  the 
breeding  season  quite  common  on  the  large  northern  inland  waters. 

Colonel  Goss  in  describing  their  habits  says  that  they  are  "at 
home  as  well  in  the  surging  surf  as  upon  the  smooth  waters,  resting 
and  sleeping  at  night  out  on  the  open  waters.  ...  They  rise  in  a 
running,  laborious  manner,  but  when  fairly  on  the  wing  fly  rapidly, 
and  in  stormy  weather  hug  closely  to  the  water."  The  ducks  are 
very  active  when  feeding,  diving  so  constantly  and  rapidly  one  after 
another  that  they  are  continually  disappearing  and  popping  up. 
The  bivalve  is  a  favorite  food  with  them,  Colonel  Goss  says,  its 
shell  apparently  digesting  with  as  much  ease  as  its  contents.  As 
they  also  eat  fish,  their  flesh  is  coarse  and  rather  rank. 

GENUS    ERISMATURA. 

167.  Erismatura  jamaicensis  (GmeL).    RUDDY  DUCK. 

Bill  short  and  widest  near  end,  bright  blue  in  adult  male.     Adult  male. : 

top  and  back  of  head  black ;  neck 
and  rest  of  upper  parts  chestnut ; 
cheeks  and  chin  white ;  belly 
gray,  washed  with  silvery  white, 
or  sometimes  rusty.  Female  and 
immature :  upper  parts  plain 
grayish  brown ;  sides  of  head 
whitish,  with  a  dusky  streak 
from  corner  of  mouth  to  back  of 

Fig.  80.  ear  ;    under  parts   gray,   washed 

with     silvery    white    or     rusty. 
Length  :  13.50-16.00,  wing  5.75-6.00,  bill  1.50-1.60. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  and  south  to  Colombia,  breeding  over 
much  of  its  North  American  range. 

Nest.  —  A  bulky  mass  of  plant  stems  on  the  water  among  tules,  reeds, 
or  cat-tails.  Eggs  :  9  to  14,  creamy  or  light  buffy. 

The  ruddy  duck  is  common  over  much  of  the  western  United 
States,  and  breeds  abundantly  in  places  that  suit  its  taste,  especially 
in  the  grass-fringed  lakes  of  the  northern  plains  and  the  big  shallow 
tule  lakes  of  the  Great  Basin  country.  It  is  a  duck  of  much  indi- 
viduality. It  sits  jauntily  on  the  water,  its  spike  tail  tilted  up,  and 
with  bold  audacity  holds  its  ground  till  you  are  at  close  quarters, 
then  as  you  think  it  is  going  to  fly,  and  raise  your  gun  for  a  wing 
shot,  it  suddenly  dives.  Its  skill  at  hiding  under  water  till  it  has 
gained  the  other  side  of  a  point  or  island  would  do  credit  to  a  grebe, 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND   SWANS  65 

and  has  doubtless  come  from  its  habit  of  feeding  at  the  bottom  of  the 
lake.  Goss  gives  its  food  as  seeds,  roots,  and  plant  stems,  shellfish 
and  various  forms  of  life  found  in  both  deep  and  shallow  water. 
He  adds  that  when  fat  it  is  a  good  table  duck.  My  own  experience 
is  that,  roasted  Indian  fashion  in  the  fire  with  the  feathers  on,  its 
meat  is  juicy,  tender,  and  of  delicious  flavor,  particularly  if  you  are 
hungry!  VEKNON  BAILEY 

GENUS   NOMONYX. 

[168.]  Nomonyx  dominions  (Linn.).    MASKED  DUCK. 

Similar  to  the  ruddy  duck,  but  tail  with  20  instead  of  18  feathers,  and 
bill  smaller  with  wider  nail  —  nail  over  .25  wide  instead  of  .10  as  in  the 
ruddy.  Adult  male :  front  of  head  black  ;  neck,  sides,  and  back  bright 
chestnut,  streaked  on  back  with  black  ;  wings  black,  with  a  large  white 
patch.  Adult  female  :  crown  blackish  ;  side  of  head  with  two  black  and 
two  buff y  stripes ;  neck  and  sides  dull  brownish  ;  back  dusky.  Length  : 
12.00-14.50,  wing  about  5.50-5.75,  tail  3.50-4.50,  bill  1.30-1.37. 

Distribution.  —  Tropical  America  and  West  Indies  ;  north  on  Gulf  coast 
to  Lower  Rio  Grande  ;  accidental  in  eastern  United  States. 

GENUS   CHEN. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  short  and  high  at  base,  dull  red,  with  whitish 
tip  ;  feet  dull  red  ;  plumage  of  adults  white,  except  for  wing,  which  has  a 
black  tip  and  adjoining  gray  patch.  Young  with  head,  neck,  and  upper 
parts  light  gray  ;  rump,  tail,  and  under  parts  white,  feet  and  tail  dusky. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Bill  very  stout,  with  black  along  edges. 

2.  Adults  mainly  white hyperborea,  p.  65. 

2'.  Adults  mainly  gray caerulescens,  p.  66. 

1'.  Bill  not  very  stout,  without  black  on  cutting  edges ;  wing  13.75-15.50. 

rossii,  p.  66. 

169.  Chen  hyperborea  (Pall.).    LESSER  SNOW  GOOSE. 

Adults.  —  A  conspicuous  hard,  black  plate  along  side  of  lower  mandible  ; 
plumage  pure  white  except  for  wing,  which  has  black  tip  and  gray  patch  ; 
white  of  head  and  sometimes  neck  and  breast  washed  or  stained  with 
rusty  orange.  Length :  23-28,  wing  14.50-17.00,  bill  1.95-2.30. 

Distribution.  —  Western  North  America,  breeding  in  Alaska  ;  south  in 
winter  to  southern  California,  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  east  to  Kansas  and 
southern  Illinois. 

The  snow  geese,  or  white  brant,  are  common  in  migration  over  the 
western  United  States,  wintering  in  California,  southern  Utah,  Texas, 
and  Mexico.  They  are  oftenest  seen  on  the  wing  high  overhead  in 
long  diagonal  lines  or  V-shaped  flocks,  flying  rapidly  and  uttering  a 
chorus  of  shrill  falsetto  cries  ;  but  not  infrequently  they  are  found  in 
some  big  marsh,  on  the  open  prairie,  or  in  a  field  of  grain,  massed  till 
they  look  like  a  spring  snow  bank.  Much  of  their  food  is  gleaned 
from  the  stubble  fields  during  the  fall  migration  and  from  fields  of 


66  DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND  SWANS 

sprouting  grain  in  spring.  In  winter  they  feed  largely  on  the  tender 
white  roots  of  a  rush  — Juncusbalticus  (?) — dug  from  the  river  banks, 
marshes,  and  shores.  They  are  usually  lean,  and  their  flesh  is  dark 
and  generally  tough.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

169.1.  Chen  caerulescens  (Linn.).    BLUE  GOOSE. 

Adults.  —  Head  and  part  of  neck  white,  body  chiefly  grayish  brown, 
rump  (usually)  and  wing-coverts  bluish  gray.  Length:  26.50-30,  wine1 
15-17,  bill  2.10-2.30,  tarsus  3-3.30. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America ;  winters  at  Brownsville,  Texas  ; 
accidental  in  California. 

Subgenus   Exanthemops. 
170.  Chen  rossii  (Cassin).    Ross  SNOW  GOOSE. 

Adults.  —  Base  of  upper  mandible  often  rough  and  warty  ;  bill  compara- 
tively small  and  without  black  stripe  along  side  ;  plumage  as  in  hyperborea. 
Length:  20-26,  wing  13.75-15.50,  bill  1.50-1.70. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  of  arctic  America;  south  in  winter  to  California 
and  east  to  Montana.  Rare. 

GENUS   ANSER. 

171a.     Anser     albifrons     gambeli     (Hard).      WHITE-FRONTED 
GOOSE. 

Bill  comparatively  low  at  base,  yellow  or  orange ;  feet  orange  or  red- 
dish. Adults :  face  white,  bor- 
dered with  dusky  ;  rest  of  head 
and  neck,  also  shoulders  and 
chest,  dark  gray ;  belly  and 
sides  black  or  spotted  with 
black,  becoming  white  pos- 
teriorly and  on  under  tail 
coverts  ;  back  dusky  gray. 
Young:  without  white  face 
or  black  on  belly.  Length :  27- 
30,  wing  14.25-17.50,  bill  1.80- 
2.35,  depth  of  upper  mandible 
Fig  81  at  base  .90-1.20. 

Distribution.  —  North  Amer- 
ica and  Greenland,  breeding  from  Vancouver  Island  to  the  Arctic  Ocean  ; 
south  in  winter  to  Mexico  and  Cuba. 

Nest.  —  A  shallow  cavity  in  the  ground  lined  with  grass,  feathers,  and 
down.  Eggs :  5  to  7,  creamy  white. 

The  food  of  the  white-fronted  goose,  according  to  Goss,  consists 
chiefly  of  vegetable  matter,  tender  aquatic  plants,  insects,  snails,  and 
frogs.  In  the  San  Joaquin  and  Sacramento  valleys  the  geese  are  so 
abundant  and  their  ravages  to  the  growing  wheat  crop  so  serious 
that  farmers  often  hire  men  by  the  month  to  drive  them  away.  Dr. 
Merrill  says  that  the  numbers  of  these  birds  that  migrate  through 
western  Oregon  are  so  immense  they  cannot  be  appreciated  until  one 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND  SWANS  67 

has  seen  the  spring  flight,  which,  he  has  been  told,  extends  from 
the  coast  inland  two  hundred  and  fifty  to  three  hundred  miles.  Mr. 
A.  M.  Shields  states  that  the  white-fronted  is  the  goose  usually  seen 
in  the  Los  Angeles  game  market,  being  most  easily  secured  by  the 
pot-hunters. 

GENUS   BBANTA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  and  feet  black  at  all  ages ;  both  sexes  and 
young  alike  ;  neck  long  and  slender  ;  head  and  neck  black,  with  white  on 
cheeks,  or  else  white  collar ;  body  mainly  gray. 

KEY  TO  SPECIES. 
1.  Cheeks  white. 
2.  White  of  cheeks  continuous  under  throat. 

3.  Length  35-43 canadensis,  p.  67. 

3'.  Length  25-34 hutchinsii,  p.  68. 

2'.  White  of  cheeks  separated  by  black  of  throat. 

3.  Wing  16.25-18.00 occidentalis,  p.  68. 

3'.  Wing  13.60-14.50 minima,  p.  68. 

V.  Cheeks  black,  collar  white nigricans,  p.  68. 

172.  Branta  canadensis  (Linn.).    CANADA  GOOSE. 

Head  and  neck  black  except  for  broad  white  band  across  throat  and 
cheeks ;  body  deep  gray,  feathers 
tipped  with  lighter  ;  rump,  tail, 
and  quills  black ;  upper  and 
lower  tail  coverts,  and  ventral 
region,  white.  Length  :  35—43, 
wing  15.60-21.00,  bill  1.55-2.70. 

Distribution.  —  North  Amer- 
ica, breeding  from  the  northern 
United  States  to  Labrador  and 
the  lower  Mackenzie  ;  south  in 
winter  to  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  low  mound 
in    marsh,    made   of    grass    and 
leaves,   lined  with   down.      Re- 
ported   also     in    old     nests     of  Fig.  82. 
hawks  and  eagles,  in  trees.     Eggs :  6  to  7,  dull  white. 

Few  wild  bird  notes  are  more  inspiring  than  the  honk,  honk,  Jia 
wank,  honk,  of  a  long  line  of  Canada  geese  flying  with  apparent  de- 
liberation but  with  really  terrific  speed  overhead,  calling  as  they  go 
in  notes  that  carry  for  a  mile  over  marsh,  lake,  and  prairie.  The 
big  strong  wings  whish  loudly  overhead  far  out  of  shotgun  range, 
and  often  a  low  conversational  gabble  can  be  heard  under  the  loud 
honking.  Pew  of  our  game  birds,  by  intelligent  caution  and  watch- 
fulness, have  withstood  so  successfully  the  deep  laid  schemes  and 
murderous  devices  of  pot-hunters  and  sportsmen  as  this  noble,  spir- 
ited bird.  The  widest  expanse  of  water,  marsh,  or  prairie  is  sought 
for  the  day's  feeding  and  resting  ground,  and  the  country  surveyed 


68  DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND  SWANS 

in  lofty  circles  before  the  flock  descends.  Some  of  the  long  necks 
are  always  stretched  and  some  keen  eyes  on  guard,  but  danger  lies 
in  the  hidden  hunter,  the  decoy,  and  the  lantern.  The  rice  lakes  are 
usually  abandoned  as  too  deadly,  and  much  of  the  food  of  the  geese 
is  obtained  in  fall  from  stubble  fields,  scattered  wheat,  oats,  barley, 
or  corn  ;  or  in  spring  from  fields  of  sprouting  grain.  In  summer, 
grass  furnishes  most  of  their  food,  but  many  of  the  small  water  ani- 
mals, such  as  snails,  minnows,  and  tad  poles, 'are  eaten.  As  the  geese 
still  breed  over  parts  of  the  United  States  and  Canada,  the  eggs  are 
orten  found  and  frequently  hatched  under  hens,  tame  geese,  or  tur- 
keys. A  hen  can  cover  three  eggs  very  nicely.  The  young  become 
perfectly  tame,  and  are  affectionate,  exceedingly  bright,  interesting 
pets,  always  ruling  the  poultry  yard  and  most  of  the  barn  yard. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

172a.  Branta  canadensis  hutchinsii  (Rich.).    HUTCHINS  GOOSE. 

Like  canadensis,  but  smaller.  Length :  25-34,  wing  14.75-17.75,  bill  1.20- 
1.90. 

Distribution.  —  Japan,  Siberia,  and  arctic  America ;  south  in  winter 
through  the  United  States.  Breeds  mainly  in  arctic  regions,  but  reported 
as  resident  in  British  Columbia.  Rare  toward  Atlantic  coast. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  grass,  lined  with  down.  Eggs :  usually  6,  dull 
white. 

The  habits  of  the  Hutchins  goose  are  similar  to  those  of  the  Canada 
goose. 

172b.  Branta  canadensis  occidentalis  (Baird).  WHITE- 
CHEEKED  GOOSE. 

Like  canadensis,  but  under  parts  darker,  white  cheek  patches  usually 
separated  by  black  on  throat ;  lower  part  of  neck  with  a  more  or  less  dis- 
tinct collar.  Length:  35,  wing  16.25-18.00,  bill  1.40-1.65. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  North  America,  north  to  Sitka  ;  south  in 
winter  to  California. 

172c.  Branta  canadensis  minima  Ridgw.    CACKLING  GOOSE. 

Like  occidentalis  but  smaller.  Length:  23-25,  wing  13.60-14.50,  bill 
.95-1.15. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  North  America,  breeding  about  Norton 
Sound  and  the  lower  Yukon  ;  south  in  winter  to  California,  and  rarely  east 
to  the  Mississippi  valley. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground,  lined  with  grass  and  down.  Eggs: 
5  to  8,  white. 

The  cackling  goose  is  reported  by  Nelson  as  common  and  breeding 
in  Alaska,  from  the  seashore  along  the  courses  of  the  great  rivers 
fsir  into  the  interior. 

174.  Branta  nigricans  (Lawr.).    BLACK  BRANT. 

Adults.  —  Head  entirely  black,  neck  almost  encircled  by  a  broad  white 
collar  open  behind ;  upper  parts  dark  sooty  brown ;  breast  black,  shading 


DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND  SWANS  69 

to  dark  slaty ;  anal  region  white.  Young :  white  collar  indistinct  or 
wanting- ;  larger  wing  coverts  and  secondaries  broadly  tipped  with  white. 
Length :  22-29,  wing  12.70-13.50,  bill  1.20-1.35. 

Distribution.  —  Western  and  arctic  America,  breeding  at  Point  Barrow ; 
south  in  winter  along  the  coast  to  Lower  California.  Bare  in  eastern  United 
States. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  marshy  ground,  lined  with  down.    Eggs :  4  to  6. 

GENUS   PHILACTE. 

176.  Philacte  canagica  (Sevast.).    EMPEROR  GOOSE. 

Bill  small  and  not  much  elevated  at  base,  mainly  light  colored,  bluish 
or  pinkish  white  above  ;  pit  of  nostrils  reaching  feathers  of  forehead  ;  feet 
orange.  Adults:  head  and  back  of  neck  white  or  stained  with  rusty 
orange  ;  chin  and  throat  dusky  or  brownish  black  ;  rest  of  plumage,  except 
white  tail,  bluish  gray,  each  feather  with  a  black  bar  and  white  tip. 
Young :  similar  to  adult,  but  whole  head  dusky,  specked  with  white  on 
top.  Length  :  26,  wing  14,30-15.75,  bill  1.40-1.65. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  of  Alaska,  chiefly  in  the  region  of  Norton  Sound 
and  the  lower  Yukon  ;  south  in  winter  to  Butte  County,  California.  Rare 
in  the  United  States. 

GENUS   DENDROCYGNA. 

General  Characters.  —  Feet  and  legs  long  and  large  for  a  duck ;  legs 
covered  with  small  hexagonal  plates ;  neck  long  and  slender ;  head  not 
crested ;  sexes  similar. 

KEY  TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Feet  and  legs  pinkish,  bill  yellow autumnalis,  p.  69. 

1'.  Feet,  legs,  and  bill  black fulva,  p.  69. 

177.  Dendrocygna  autumnalis  (Linn.).    BLACK-BELLIED  TREE 

DUCK. 

Adults.  —  Crown,  neck,  breast,  and  back  bright  cinnamon  brown  ;  sides 
of  head  ashy  gray ;  belly,  rump,  tail,  and  end  of  wing  black ;  base  of 
wing  and  quills  with  large  white  patches ;  under  tail  coverts  white,  spotted 
with  black.  Young :  colors  duller,  bill  and  feet  dusky.  Length  :  19.75- 
24.00,  wing  9.20-9.70,  bill  1.90-2.15,  tarsus  2.25-2.60. 

Distribution.  —  Middle  America  and  north  to  the  Rio  Grande  Valley 
and  Nueces  River,  Texas. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  trees,  often  at  considerable  distance  from  water. 
Eggs  :  12  to  16. 

178.  Dendrocygna  fulva  (GmeL).    FULVOUS  TREE-DUCK. 

Under  parts,  head,  and  shoulders  plain  buffy  brown  or  tawny,  darkest  on 
crown  ;  back  of  neck  with  black  stripe  ;  back  and  wings  blackish,  feathers 
of  middle  of  back  broadly  tipped  with  tawny  ;  upper  and  lower  tail  cov- 
erts and  stripes  along  sides  creamy  white.  Length :  20-21,  wing  8.10- 
8.90,  bill  1.65-1.95,  tarsus  2.10-2.40. 

Distribution.  —  Mexico  and  north  to  central  California,  Nevada,  and 
Louisiana ;  also  in  South  America,  southern  Asia,  Africa,  and  Mada- 
gascar. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  trees  or  more  commonly  on  ground  in  marsh  or  near 
water,  a  well  built  and  often  well  concealed  nest.  Eggs :  numerous,  15  to 
SO  or  more. 


TO  IBISES 

The  fulvous  tree-duck  is  a  more  or  less  common  summer  resident 
of  the  tule  marshes  and  irrigated  regions  of  southern  California, 
breeding  abundantly  in  favorite  localities  and  migrating  south  in 
winter.  Its  usual  nesting  place  seems  to  be  on  the  ground  in 
marshes,  but  it  also  breeds  in  trees.  (See  Bull.  Cooper  Ornithological 
Club,  vol.  i.  No.  1,  p.  9 ;  and  Condor,  vol.  iii.  No.  3,  p.  67.) 

GENUS    OLOR. 

General  Characters.  —  Size  very  large  ;  neck  longer  than  body ;  bill 
black,  large,  and  high  at  base,  with  naked  space  reaching  eyes.  Plum- 
age entirely  pure  white  in  adults.  Young  :  ashy,  or  tinged  with  brownish ; 
bill  and  feet  grayish  or  flesh  color. 

KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Distance  from  eye  to  back  of  nostril  greater  than  rest  of  bill. 

columbianus,  p.  70. 
1'.  Distance  from  eye  to  back  of  nostril  less  than  rest  of  bill. 

buccinator,  p.  70. 

180.  Olor  columbianus  (Ord).    WHISTLING  SWAN. 

Bill  black  ;  lores  usually  with  a  small  yellow  spot.  Length :  4£  feet, 
extent  about  7  feet,  wing  21-22,  bill  3.80-4.20. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  breeding  far  northward  and  probably  in 
British  Columbia ;  migrating  south  over  the  United  States  ;  wintering 
from  British  Columbia  and  Illinois  southward. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  usually  on  island  or  bank  near  water  ;  made  of  moss, 
grass,  and  leaves.  Eggs  :  5  to  7,  dull  whitish. 

181.  Olor  buccinator  (Rich.).    TRUMPETER  SWAN. 

Adult  male.  —  Bill  and  lores  entirely  black.  Length :  5-5£  feet,  extent  8 
to  nearly  10  feet,  wing  21.00-27.50,  bill  4.30-4.70. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  of  North  America,  less  common  toward  the 
coasts,  breeding  from  Iowa  and  the  Dakotas  northward,  but  mainly  far 
north ;  wintering  from  southern  British  Columbia  to  Gulf  of  Mexico  and 
southern  California. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  made  of  grass,  leaves,  and  feathers.  Eggs :  5  to  7, 
dull  whitish. 

Mr.  Grinnell  says  that  the  trumpeter  swan  is  a  regular  spring 
visitant  to  the  fresh  water  ponds  and  lakes  in  the  vicinity  of  Los 
Angeles. 

ORDER   HBRODIONES:    HERONS,    STORKS, 
IBISES,  ETC. 

(FAMILIES  PLATALEIDJE,  IBIDID^J,  CICONIID.E,  AND  ARDEiD^.1) 
FAMILY   IBIDUXSI:    IBISES. 

KEY   TO  GENERA. 

1.  Head  of  adult  mainly  naked,  crown  with  short  feathers.     Guara,  p.  71. 
1'.  Head  feathered  except  on  lores,  crown  lightly  crested.    Plegadis,  p.  71 . 

1  See  Appendix,  page  486. 


IBISES  71 

GENUS    GUARA. 

184.  Guara  alba  (Linn.).    WHITE  IBIS. 

Size  large  ;  face  and  chin  naked  in  adults  ;  head  not  crested.  Adults  : 
tips  of  wings  black ;  rest  of  plumage  white,  tinted  with  pink  in  life. 
Young  :  dark  brownish  except  for  white  belly,  rump,  and  tail  coverts  ; 
head  and  neck  specked  with  dusky.  Length :  21.50-27.50,  wing  10.30- 
11.75,  bill  4.15-6.30,  tarsus  3.10-4.00. 

Distribution.  —  Tropical  America,  the  West  Indies,  and  north  to  North 
Carolina,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Great  Salt  Lake,  and  Lower  California ;  acci- 
dentally to  Connecticut. 

GENUS   PLEGADIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Lores  and  eyelids  naked,  rest  of  head  well  feath- 
ered and  crown  slightly  crested  ;  bill  long,  scythe-shaped,  grooved  from 
nostril  to  tip  ;  colors  rich  purplish  brown,  with  metallic  tints. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Feathers  at  base  of  bill  black autumnalis,  p.  71. 

1'.  Feathers  at  base  of  bill  white guarauna,  p.  71. 

186.  Plegadis  autumnalis  (Hasselq.).    GLOSSY  IBIS. 

Like  guarauna,  but  larger,  with  green  instead  of  red  lores,  and  feathers 
at  base  of  bill  blackish  instead  of  white.  Length:  22-25,  wing  10.20- 
11.85,  bill  4.30-5.45. 

Distribution.  —  Southeastern  United  States  and  West  Indies,  and  warmer 
parts  of  Old  World  ;  straggling  to  New  England,  Nebraska,  and  Arizona. 

187.  Plegadis  guarauna  (Linn.).     WHITE-FACED  GLOSSY  IBIS. 
Lores  and  eyelids  naked,  rest  of  head  well  feathered  ;  bill  long  and 

narrow,  gently 
curved  downward, 
grooved  from  nos- 
tril to  tip.  Adults : 
lores  red ;  face 
whitish;  head, 
neck,  shoulders, 
and  under  parts 
dark  rich  chestnut ; 

crown    and    wings      &v*  Fig.  83. 

glossed     with     iri- 
descent purplish  and  greenish.   Young :  head  and  neck  streaked  with  white 
and  dusky,  and  under  parts  grayish  brown.     Length :   19-26,  wing  9.30- 
10.80,  bill  3.75-6.00,  tarsus  3.00-4.40. 

Distribution.  —  Tropical  America  and  western  United  States,  Texas, 
and  Lower  California  to  Oregon,  and  casually  to  British  Columbia  and 
Florida. 

Nest .  —  Among  or  on  rushes,  made  of  stems  of  rushes  and  various 
other  plants.  Eggs :  usually  3,  greenish  blue. 

The  glossy  ibis  is  a  marsh  bird,  usually  seen  in  flocks  varying 
from  a  dozen  to  fifty,  circling  overhead  or  wading  in  the  shallow 
water  of  a  marsh,  slough,  or  irrigated  field.  At  a  distance  the  birds 


72  STORKS  AND  WOOD  IBISES 

look  as  black  as  ravens,  but  their  flight  is  crane-like,  and  walking  or 
wading  they  have  the  dignified  pose  of  the  cranes  and  herons.  No 
doubt  the  name  black  curlew  comes  from  their  curved  bill,  but  they 
are  neither  cranes  nor  curlews.  According  to  Goss,  they  feed  on 
crawfish,  snails,  minnows,  frogs,  and  insects.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

FAMILY  CICONIID-SI :  STORKS  AND  WOOD  IBISES. 

KEY   TO    GENERA. 

1.  Bill  curved  downward  and  blunt  at  tip Tantalus,  p.  72. 

1'.  Bill  inclined  upward  and  sharp  at  tip Mycteria,  p.  72. 

GENUS   TANTALUS. 

188.  Tantalus  loculator  Linn.    WOOD  IBIS. 

Adults.  —  Head  and  upper  neck  naked  and,  except  for  a  smooth  square 
patch  on  crown,  scurfy.  Plumage  mainly  white ;  wing  quills  and  tail 
greenish  and  purplish  black ;  under  wing  coverts  pinkish  in  breeding 
plumage.  Young :  whole  head  and  neck  except  face  covered  with  green- 
ish brown  feathers,  darker  on  back  of  head ;  rest  of  plumage  dull  whitish. 
Length  :  35-45,  wing  17.60-19.50,  bill  6.10-7.30. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  United  States  from  Ohio,  Colorado,  Utah,  and 
southwestern  California  south  to  Argentina;  casually  north  to  Wisconsin 
and  New  York. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  a  loosely  arranged  platform  of  sticks,  lined  with  moss 
or  other  soft  material.  Eggs :  usually  3,  dull  white. 

Goss  says  the  wood  ibis  is  a  common  resident  of  all  the  Gulf 
states,  and  is  found  on  the  Colorado  and  Gila  rivers  in  the  vicinity  of 
Yuma.  During  the  breeding  season  the  ibises  assemble  in  large 
flocks,  but  they  scatter  more  or  less  afterwards.  Their  food  consists 
of  fish,  crabs,  frogs,  young  alligators,  and  the  small  forms  of  life 
that  inhabit  shallow  lagoons  and  pools  on  overflowed  land. 

GENUS   MYCTERIA. 

[189.]  Mycteria  americana  Linn.    JABIRU. 

Size  of  a  large  crane  ;  legs  long,  bill  enormous  and  inclined  upwards  at 
tip.  Adults  :  head  and  neck  naked  except  for  a  hair-like  crest  on  occiput ; 
bill,  head,  and  legs  black  ;  skin  of  lower  neck  red  in  life  ;  plumage 
white.  Young  :  Plumage  mainly  brownish  gray.  Length  :  about  4£  feet ; 
wing  24.50-27.00,  bill  9.75-13.00,  tarsus  11.25-12.50. 

Distribution.  —  Tropical  America  ;    north  casually  to  southern  Texas. 

FAMILY  ARDEID.S::  HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS. 

KEY  TO   GENERA. 

1.  Tail  feathers  10,  short  and  very  soft. 

2.  Plumage  mainly  striped Botaurus,  p.  73. 

2'.  Plumage  not  mainly  striped,  back  black  or  brown  .  Ardetta,  p,  74. 
1'.  Tail  feathers  12,  normal. 


HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS 


73 


2.  Bill  long  and  slender,  five  times  as  long  as  depth  at  base. 

Ardea,  p.  74. 
2'.  Bill  short  and  stout,  less  than  four  times  as  long  as  depth  at  base. 

Nycticorax,  p.  77. 

GENUS   BOTAURUS. 

190.  Botaurus  lentiginosus  (Montag.).    AMERICAN  BITTERN. 
Sexes  alike  and  young  very  similar  to  adults  ;  feathers  lax  and  coarse  ; 


Fig.  84. 

upper  parts  broadly  striped  with  dusky  on  buff ;  crown  and  streak  along 
jaw  blackish  ;  throat  and  under  parts  creamy  buff,  striped  with  brown. 
Length  :  24-34,  wing  9.80-12.00,  bill  2.50-3.20, 
tarsus  3.10-3.85. 

Distribution.  —  Temperate  North  America, 
and  south  to  Guatemala,  breeding  in  suitable  loca- 
tions over  most  of  the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  usually  in  marshes  ; 
made  of  stems  of  grass,  rushes,  weeds,  or  sticks. 
Eggs :  3  to  6,  brownish  drab. 

Over  most  of  the  United  States  the  boom- 
ing of  the  bittern  is  a  familiar  sound  from 
the  marshes.  The  deep  ump-up,  ump-up,  Fig<  85t 

ump-up,  has  suggested  such  names  as  prairie  pump,  thunder  pumper, 
and  stake  driver,  and  the  gurgling  tone  has  very  naturally  led  to 
the  belief  that  the  call  was  produced  with  the  bill  under  water.  In 
reality  it  is  the  love-song  and  call-note  of  the  breeding  season,  pro- 
duced by  inflating  the  throat  and  emitting  the  air  with  a  gulping 
motion  and  the  familiar  booming  sound.  The  skin  of  the  neck 
becomes  much  thickened  and  of  a  gelatinous  texture,  as  in  the  necks 
of  the  various  grouse  that  boom,  so  that  it  serves  as  an  elastic  bel- 
lows. On  a  still  spring  morning  the  sound  carries  far  over  the 
marshes  and  to  human  ears  gives  little  clue  to  distance  or  direction. 
But  its  ventriloquism  is  not  the  bittern's  only  protection.  If  the 
sound  is  successfully  followed  up  and  the  bird  actually  seen,  he  may 


74  HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS 

not  be  discovered.  Standing  in  the  high  grass  or  rushes,  at  your 
step  he  points  his  bill  to  the  sky  as  if  turned  to  stone,  his  striped 
coat  harmonizing  so  well  with  the  straight  lines  of  the  surrounding 
vegetation  that  he  is  often  passed  by  for  a  stick.  His  throat  is 
his  most  protectively  colored  part,  and  it  is  said  that  if  you  walk 
around  him  he  will  turn  as  you  do,  so  as  to  keep  facing  you.  If 
discovered  and  flushed  he  will  jump  into  the  air  with  awkward 
haste  and  sometimes  a  startled  squack.  His  flight  would  be  heron- 
like  but  for  the  quicker  strokes  given  by  his  smaller  wings. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS   ARDETTA. 

191.  Ardetta  exilis  (GmeL).    LEAST  BITTERN. 

Size  very  small,  sexes  and  young  different.  Adult  male :  back,  crown, 
rump,  and  tail  greenish  black  ;  back  of  neck  and  patch  on  wing  chestnut ; 
throat  and  under  parts  light  buff,  with  two  dusky  spots  on  breast.  Adult 
female  :  back  mainly  chestnut,  and  buff  of  under  parts  striped  with  dusky. 
Young :  like  female,  but  brown  feathers  of  back  tipped  with  buff.  Length  : 
12.00-14.25,  wing  4.30-5.25,  bill  1.60-1.90,  tarsus  1.50-1.75. 

Distribution.  —  Temperate  North  America,  north  to  southern  Oregon 
and  the  British  Provinces,  and  south  to  the  West  Indies  and  Brazil. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  tall  grass  or  rushes,  a  little  above  the  ground  or  water, 
made  of  grass  and  rush  stems.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  bluish  white. 

The  slender,  dainty  least  bittern  is  mainly  a  bird  of  the  marshes. 
Like  the  bittern,  it  avoids  the  trouble  of  flying  whenever  it  can  by 
making  a  bold  bluff,  and  when  it  strikes  its  attitude  may  easily  be 
mistaken  for  one  of  the  yellow  tule  stems  or  dry  cat-tails.  Some- 
times it  eludes  you  by  stealthy  retreat,  for  it  is  almost  rail-like  in 
its  manner  of  creeping  under  the  grass  and  rushes.  When  the  water 
is  too  deep  to  wade  in,  it  walks  by  grasping  the  protruding  stems. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS    ARDEA. 

General  Characters.  —  Legs  and  neck  long  and  slender ;  bill  slender, 
straight,  and  sharp ;  crown,  throat,  or  back  with  plumes  or  crests  in 
adults. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Plumage  entirely  white. 

2.  Adult  with  long  plumes  on  back  only egretta,  p.  75. 

2'.  Adult  with  long  plumes  on  crown,  neck,  and  back. 

candidissima,  p.  75. 

I/.  Plumage  mainly  blue,  or  brown  and  green  ;  sometimes  white  in  ccerulea. 
2.  Color  mainly  bluish  gray  or  slaty. 
3.  Size  large,  wing  over  17. 

4.  Lighter,  upper  parts  bluish  gray     ....      herodias,  p.  75. 

4'.  Darker,  upper  parts  slaty fannini,  p.  75. 

S'.Size  small,  wing  under  11  ;  young,  and  sometimes  adults,  white. 

caerulea,  p.  76. 


HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS  75 

2'.  Color  mainly  dark  green  or  slaty  and  brown. 
3.  Body  dark  green. 

4.  Neck  dark  chestnut virescens,  p.  76. 

4'.  Neck  light  chestnut .  anthonyi,  p.  77. 

3'.  Body  slaty ;  neck  cinnamon ruf  esceiis,  p.  76. 

Subgenus  Ardea. 
194.  Ardea  herodias  Linn.     GREAT  BLUE  HERON. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  bluish  gray  ;  top  of  head  white,  bordered  by 
black  and  with  black  occipital  crest ;  shoulders  black,  striped  with  white  ; 
under  parts  heavily  streaked  with  black  and  white  ;  thighs  and  edge  of 
wings  cinnamon  brown.  In  breeding  season  :  crest  with  two  or  more  slender 
white  plumes.  Young  :  whole  crown  and  crest  black ;  wing  coverts  without 
white  or  rufous  spots.  Length  :  42-50,  wing  17.90-19.85,  bill  4.30-6.25, 
tarsus  6-8. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  except  northwest  coast,  from  Hudson 
Bay  and  Alaska  south  to  Venezuela. 

NesL  —  Usually  in  tall  swamp  trees,  but  sometimes  on  rocks  or  the 
ground,  a  wide  platform  of  sticks  with  little  lining.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  dull 
greenish  blue. 

The  blue  cranes  or  great  blue  herons  are  common  along  river 
banks,  lake  shores,  and  marshes  all  over  the  United  States,  and  are 
everywhere  known  both  by  their  stilted  pose  as  they  stand  in  shallow 
water  watching  for  fish,  and  by  their  heavy  flight  as  they  move  evenly 
along  with  crooked  neck  and  big  slowly  flapping  wings. 

1 94a.  A.  h.  fannini  Chapm.    NORTHWEST  COAST  HERON. 

Similar  to  herodias,  but  with  shorter  tarsus  and  darker  plumage,  the 
upper  parts  being  bluish  slaty  black  instead  of  bluish  gray  ;  tibiae  more 
feathered.  Wing  :  17.50,  tarsus  5.38,  culmen  5.90. 

Distribution.  —  Queen  Charlotte  and  Vancouver  Islands  and  coast  region 
of  British  Columbia. 

Subgenus  Herodias. 

196.  Ardea  egretta  Gmel.    EGRET. 

Plumage  always  pure  white.  Adult  in  nuptial  plumage  :  scapular  plumes 
of  dissected  filamentose  feathers  covering  back  and  reaching  well  beyond 
end  of  tail ;  head  and  neck  without  crests  or  long  feathers  ;  feet  and  legs 
black ;  bill  yellow,  usually  blackish  near  tip.  Post-breeding  plumage  and 
young  :  back  without  plumes.  Length :  37-41,  wing  14.10-16.80,  bill  4.2U- 
4.90;  tarsus  5.50-6.80. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  United  States  and  south  to  Patagonia  ;  north 
irregularly  to  Oregon,  Minnesota,  and  Nova  Scotia. 

Nest.  —  In  trees  or  bushes,  near  water.     Eggs  :  3  to  5,  pale  bluish. 

The  egret,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  our  birds,  has  been  almost 
exterminated  for  its  plumes,  which  are  used  in  millinery  as  aigrettes. 

Subgenus  Garzetta. 

197.  Ardea  candidissima  Gmel.    SNOWY  HERON. 

Plumage  always  pure  white.  Adults  in  nuptial  plumage :  scapulars 
with  long  plumes  of  dissected  filamentose  feathers  reaching  beyond  tail 
and  recurved  at  tip ;  head  and  throat  crested ;  feet  yellow,  legs  black ; 


78  HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS 

bill  black,  with  yellow  base.  Post-breeding  plumage  and  young :  back  with- 
out plumes.  Length  :  20.00-27.25,  wing  8.20-10.50,  bill  2.08-3.65,  tarsus 
3.15-4.50. 

Distribution.  —  Approximately  the  whole  United  States,  and  south  to 
Argentina,  South  America. 

Although  widely  distributed,  the  snowy  heron  is  generally  a  rare 
bird.  Throughout  most  of  the  western  United  States  only  an  occa- 
sional wanderer  is  found. 

Subgenus  Dichromanassa. 
198.  Ardea  rufescens  Gmel.    REDDISH  EGRET. 

Adults.  —  Feathers  of  head,  sides  of  neck,  and  lower  part  of  throat  long 
and  lanceolate ;  scapular  plumes  extending  beyond  end  of  tail  and  with 
fine  dissected  filaments;  color  plain  slaty,  with  cinnamon  or  vinaceous 
rufous  head  and  neck.  Young :  plain  grayish,  tinged  here  and  there  with 
rusty.  Length :  27-32,  wing  11.90-13.60,  bill  3.30-4.00,  tarsus  4.90-5.75. 

Distribution. — Cuba,  Jamaica,  and  Mexico,  from  Guatemala  north  to 
Lower  California,  the  Gulf  states,  and  southern  Illinois.  One  record  for 
Colorado. 

Subgenus   Florida. 

200.  Ardea  CSBrulea  Linn.     LITTLE  BLUE  HERON. 

Adults.  —  Plumes  on  crown,  back,  and  breast  long  and  narrow ;  head  and 
neck  chestnut  or  maroon ;  rest  of  plumage  dark  slaty  blue  ;  plumage 
sometimes  partly  or  mainly  white,  with  bluish  tips  to  quills.  Young: 
without  elongated  plumes  ;  mainly  white  with  a  tinge  of  blue  on  quills. 
Length:  20.00-29.50,  wing  9.00-10.60,  bill  2.70-3.30,  tarsus  3.15-4.00. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  United  States  from  New  Jersey  and  Maine  west 
to  Nebraska  and  San  Angelo,  Texas ;  south  to  northern  South  America. 

The  little  blue  heron  breeds  in  Tropical  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones, 
and  after  the  breeding  season  wanders  north,  sometimes  as  far  as 
Nebraska. 

Subgenus  Butorides. 

201.  Ardea  virescens  Linn.    GREEN  HERON. 

Bill  longer  than  tarsus,  crown  and  back  with  long,  lanceolate,  but  not 

dissected  plumes. 
Adults :  crown  and 
crest,  tail,  and  most 
of  wings  dark  green; 
scapular  plumes  blu- 
ish green;  sides  of 
neck  rich  dark  chest- 
nut ;  belly  dusky. 
Young :  similar  to 
_  adults,  but  with 

86-  scapular          plumes 

shorter  and  darker 
green  ;  most  of  quills  tipped  with  white  and  under  parts  coarsely  streaked. 
Length:  15.50-22.50,  wing  6.30-8.00,  bill  2.00-2.55,  tarsus  1.75-2.15. 

Distribution.  —  Oregon  and  Ontario  southward  to  West  Indies  and  Vene- 
zuela. 


BLACK-CROWNED  NIGHT  HERON 


HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS  77 

Nest.  —  On  branches  of  trees  and  bushes  near  water  ;  loosely  made  of 
sticks  and  lined  with  leafy  twigs.  Eggs :  3  to  0,  light  bluish  green. 

The  green,  heron,  with  other  mainly  nocturnal  herons,  lives  in 
woody  swamps,  bogs,  or  sedgy  marshes,  and  often  hunts  along 
streams  and  ponds.  When  startled  it  flies  up  with  a  '  hollow  gut- 
tural scream/  but  soon  lights  on  a  stump  or  tree,  looking  around 
with  craned  neck.  It  lives  largely  on  small .  fish,  frogs,  larvae,  and 
grasshoppers,  together  with  a  variety  of  insects. 

20  lb.  A.  V.  anthonyi  Mearns.    ANTHONY  GREEN  HERON. 

Similar  to  virescens,  but  decidedly  lighter  colored  ;  sides  of  neck  bright 
yellowish  chestnut.  Length  :  19.10,  wing  8.20,  bill  2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Arid  region  of  the  southwestern  United  States,  and 
south  through  Mexico ;  north  to  Yreka,  California. 

Anthonyi  is  a  pale  desert  form  of  mrescens,  with  only  local  modi- 
fications of  habit. 

GENUS  NYCTICORAX. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  comparatively  short  and  stout;  head  crested, 
and,  in  breeding  plumage,  with  a  few  long  white  cord-like  plumes  from 
back  of  crown. 

KEY  TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Crown  black,  cheeks  and  chin  creamy  white      .     .     .      naevius,  p.  77. 
1'.  Crown  creamy  white,  cheeks  and  chin  black     .     .     violaceus,  p.  78. 

Subgenus  Nycticorax. 

202.  Nycticorax  nycticorax  nsevius  (Bodd.).  BLACK- 
CROWNED  NIGHT  HERON. 

Bill  about  as  long  as  tarsus.  Adults :  crown  and  back  black ;  wings 
and  tail  ashy  gray  ;  forehead  and  throat  creamy  white,  shading  into  light 
gray  of  sides  and  under  parts.  Young :  crown  blackish,  streaked  with 
buff ;  back  dusky  gray,  spotted  and  striped,  and  quills  tipped  with  buff ; 
neck  and  under  parts  coarsely  striped  with  buff  and  dusky.  Length  :  23- 
26,  wing  11.00-12.80,  bill  2.80-3.10,  tarsus  3.10-3.40. 

Distribution.  —  Most  of  South  America  and  north  to  southern  Canada  ; 
breeding  throughout  its  range  and  wintering  from  the  southern  United 
States  southward. 

Nest.  —  Roughly  made  of  reeds,  rushes,  or  sticks  placed  on  the  ground 
among  reeds,  or  on  bushes  or  trees.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  dull  bluish. 

The  black-crowned  is  one  of  the  commonest  and  most  widely  dis- 
tributed of  our  herons.  Pairs  or  small  flocks  pass  hurriedly  over- 
head morning  and  evening,  uttering  now  and  then  the  harsh  gut- 
tural 'squawk'  which  gives  them  their  commonest  name.  During 
the  day  you  frighten  them  from  their  naps  among  the  tules  or  reeds 
or  from  the  leafy  branches  of  the  cottonwoods  that  overhang  the 
streams;  and  whether  one  or  a  dozen  are  aroused,  each  loudly  re- 


78  CRANES 

peats  its  name.  True  to  their  more  dignified  appellation,  the  herons 
feed  mainly  at  night,  but  they  are  seen  on  the  wing  occasionally  dur- 
ing the  day. 

Social  at  all  times,  they  are  especially  so  during  the  breeding 
season,  nesting  in  small  groups  of  three  or  four  families  to  a  tree,  or 
in  colonies  numbering  many  thousands.  The  largest  colonies  usually 
have  their  nests  on  the  ground,  in  tule  swamps  or  reed  patches,  the 
nests,  which  are  only  a  few  feet  apart,  covering  many  acres. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

Subgenus  Nyctanassa. 

203.  Nycticorax  violaceus  (Linn.).  YELLOW-CROWNED  NIGHT 
HERON. 

Bill  much  shorter  than  tarsus ;  back  with  long  narrow  plume-like 
feathers  reaching  beyond  end  of  tail.  Adults :  crown  and  patch  under 
eye  creamy  white  ;  sides  of  head  and  chin  black  ;  rest  of  plumage  bluish 
gray,  striped  with  black  and  light  gray  on  wings  and  back.  Young  : 
striped  and  mottled  with  brownish  on  back  and  belly.  Length :  22-28, 
wing  10.50-12.65,  bill  2.50-3.00,  tarsus  3.10-4.20. 

Distribution.  —  Tropical  America  and  north  to  the  Carolinas  and  Colo- 
rado, and  casually  to  Massachusetts  and  Maine ;  south  to  Brazil. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  a  platform  of  sticks.     Eggs :  4  to  6,  dull  bluish. 


ORDER   PALUDICOL,^  :  CRANES,  RAILS,  ETC. 
FAMILY   GRUID^E:    CRANES. 

GENUS    GRUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Size  very  large,  hind  toe  short  and  elevated ; 
head  partly  naked,  the  warty  skin  covered  with  scattered  bristly  hairs. 

KEY   TO  SPECIES. 

1.  Crown  and  cheeks  naked  in  adults  ;  plumage  white. 

americana,  p.  78. 
1'.  Crown  naked  in  adults,  cheeks  feathered  ;  plumage  gray  and  brown. 

2.  Larger,  wing  21.00-22.50 mexicana,  p.  79. 

2'.  Smaller,  wing  17.50-20.00 canadensis,  p.  79. 

204.  Grus  americana  (Linn.}.    WHOOPING  CRANE. 

Adults.  —  Plumage  pure  white  except  for  black  primaries  and  their  cov- 
erts, and  sometimes  a  slaty  patch  on  back  of  head  ;  naked  skin  of  crown, 
face,  and  cheeks  with  stiff  black  bristles.  Young:  mainly  white,  but 
more  or  less  washed  with  brownish  on  upper  parts  ;  head  entirely  feath- 
ered. Length:  50-54,  wing  22-25,  bill  5.35-5.80,  tarsus  11-12. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  of  North  America,  breeding  from  Illinois  west 
to  Colorado ;  north  to  Great  Slave  Lake,  and  migrating  to  central  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  usually  in  marsh.  Eggs :  2,  olive  or  buffy,  spotted 
with  brown  and  gray. 


RAILS,  GALLINULES,  AND   COOTS 


79 


205.  Grus  canadensis  (Linn.).    LITTLE  BROWN  CRANE. 

Like  mexicana,  but  smaller.  Length :  35,  wing  17-50-20.00,  bill  3.04- 
4.20,  tarsus  6.70-8.44. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America,  breeding1  from  Hudson  Bay 
and  the  arctic  coast  to  Alaska ;  south  in  winter  through  the  interior 
United  States  to  Mexico  ;  west  to  Colorado  and  British  Columbia. 

206.  Grus  mexicana  (Mull.).    SANDHILL  CRANE. 

Crown  and  lores  naked  except  for  scattered  black  bristles ;  cheeks  and 
jaw  well  feathered.  Adults  :  whole  plumage  slaty  gray 
\      or  light  brownish,  wings  darker;  cheeks  and  throat 
\    V   lighter  and  sometimes  whitish.    Young  :  head  entirely 
)  feathered ;  plumage  rusty  brown.  Length  :  40-48,  wing 
/  /  21.00-22.50,  bill  5.15-6.00,  tarsus  9.90-10.65. 
I        Distribution.  —  From  southern  Canada  south  to  cen- 
j    tral  Mexico  and  Florida;  breeding  from  Canada  to 
I    Arizona.     Rare  east  except  in  Georgia  and  Florida. 

Nest.  —  A  wide  platform  of  flags  and  rushes  in  a 
marsh.     Eggs  :  2,  olive  buff,  spotted  with  brown. 

On  the  big  unfenced  prairies  and  the  treeless 
expanse  of  marsh  where  there  is  nothing  to  hide 
a  lurking  foe,  you  find  the  sandhill  cranes,  some- 
times in  small  migrating  flocks  but  usually  in 
pairs,  stalking  about  in  dignified  but  ever  watch- 
ful manner,  stretching  up  to  nearly  a  man's 
height  to  survey  the  surrounding  country,  then 
stooping  to  probe  the  earth  for  worms,  catch  a 
distant  grasshopper,  or  spear  a  luckless  frog  or 
minnow.  Let  an  enemy  appear  in  the  distance, 
and  the  long  necks  are  up,  and  one  of  the  most 
powerful,  far-reaching  of  bird-notes  rings  out  with  its  alarm  chal- 
lenge, a  prolonged  bugle-like  cry,  deeper  and  heavier  than  the 
loon's,  and  often  heard  a  mile  away.  With  a  quick  run  the  splendid 
birds  mount  on  the  wing,  the  bugle-notes  resounding  rhythmically 
with  only  the  space  of  an  inspiration  between  as  they  fly;  and 
though  their  calls  mellow  in  the  distance,  the  cranes  vanish  as 
specks  in  the  air  before  the  sound  of  their  magnificent  voices  is  en- 
tirely lost.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

FAMILY  RALLID.33 :  RAILS,  GALLINULES,  AND  COOTS. 

KEY   TO    GENERA. 

1.  Forehead  entirely  feathered  down  to  base  of  bill. 

2.  Bill  long  and  slender,  as  long  as  or  longer  than  tarsus  .  Rallus,  p.  80. 

2'.  Bill  short  and  stout,  about  two  thirds  the  length  of  tarsus. 

Porzana,  p.  81. 
1'.  Forehead  covered  by  naked  shield  at  base  of  bill. 

2.  Toes  deeply  lobed  along  sides Pulica,  p.  83. 

2'.  Toes  slender,  without  lobes Gallinula,  p.  82. 


Fig.  87. 


80  RAILS,  GALLINULES,  AND  COOTS 

GENUS   RALLUS. 
General  Characters.  —  Bill  slender,  longer  than  tarsus ;   sexes  alike. 

KEY  TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Size  large,  wing  over  5.50. 

2.  Breast  uniform  deep  cinnamon obsoletus,  p.  80. 

2'.  Breast  pale  cinnamon  buff caribeeus,  p.  80. 

I'.Size  small,  wing  not  over  4.25 virginianus,  p.  80. 

210.  Rallus  obsoletus   Ridgw.    CALIFORNIA  CLAPPER  RAIL.1 
Upper  parts  olive  gray,  striped  on  back  and  wings  with  dark  brown  ; 

breast  and  throat  plain  cinnamon 
brown  ;  chin  white  ;  flanks  dusky, 
narrowly  barred  with  white. 
Length:  17-18,  wing  6.20-6.70, 
Fig.  88.  bill  2.25-2.50,  tarsus  2.10-2.30. 

Distribution.  —  Salt  marshes  of 
the  Pacific  coast  from  Washington  (?)  to  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  grass  or  tules  at  edge  of  slough  or  tide  marsh,  com- 
posed of  dry  grasses.  Eggs:  6  to  12  (Henry  Adams  in  The  Condor,  1900, 
31). 

In  Los  Angeles  County,  Mr.  Grinnell  says,  the  clapper  rails  are 
tolerably  common  residents  of  the  salt  coast  marshes.  Their  loud 
cackling  notes  are  frequently  heard,  especially  at  high  tide,  when 
they  are  driven  to  the  higher  ground. 

[211.2.]  Rallus  longirostris  caribseus  Eidgw.  CARIBBEAN 
CLAPPER  RAN,. 

Under  parts  grayish,  striped  with  darker  ;  throat  whitish  ;  breast  brown  ; 
sides  and  flanks  barred  with  brown  or  dusky  and  whitish.  Wing:  5.76, 
bill  2.38,  tarsus  2.02,  middle  toe  1.85. 

Distribution.  —  Lesser  Antilles,  Jamaica,  and  coast  of  southern  Texas 
(Corpus  Christi  and  Galveston). 

Nest.  —  A  platform-like  structure  of  dried  grasses,  sedges,  etc.,  in  tufts 
of  grass  or  sedges,  in  marshes  or  ponds.  Eggs  :  6  to  15,  white,  buffy  white, 
or  brownish  buff,  sparingly  spotted  with  rusty  brown  and  purplish  gray. 

212.  Rallus  virginianus  Linn.    VIRGINIA  RAIL. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  olive  brown,  streaked 
with  black;  wing  with  a  large  chest- 
nut patch  ;  sides  of  head  slaty  gray, 
lores  blackish,  and  chin  white ;  throat 
and  breast  cinnamon  brown  ;  flanks 
black,  barred  with  white.  Young  : 
plumage  much  mottled  with  black, 
but  chestnut  wing  patch  always  pre- 
sent. Length:  8.12-10.50,  wing  3.90- 
4.25,  bill  1.45-1.60,  tarsus  1.30-1.40. 


Fig.  89. 


Distribution.  —  Temperate    North     America, 
from  Hudson  Bay  and  British  Columbia  south 

1  Rallus  levipes  Bangs.     Like  obsolete,  but  smaller,  bill  more  slender,  and  coloration 
darker. 
Distribution.  —Southern  California.    Bull.  N.  Eng.  Zool.  Club,  i.  1899,  45. 


RAILS,  GALLINULES,  AND  COOTS  si 

to  Guatemala  and  Cuba,  breeding  over  most  of   the  United  States  and 
southern  Canada. 

Nest.  —  In  marsh,  under  shelter  of  tall  grass,  composed  of  dry  ^/ass. 
Eggs :  6  to  10,  creamy  white,  spotted  with  brown  and  lilac. 

The  Virginia  rail  is  common  in  almost  all  suitable  marshes,  whether 
salt  or  fresh,  throughout  the  United  States,  but  like  all  of  its  short- 
winged  kina  it  prefers  a  game  of  hide  and  seek  to  laborious  flight, 
and  is  more  often  heard  than  seen.  If  you  try  to  tramp  one  out  of 
the  marsh  it  will  cackle  and  laugh  on  the  right  and  then  on  the  left 
of  you,  without  ever  showing  itself ;  but  if  you  sit  quietly  on  the 
bank  of  a  grassy,  reedy  pond  or  stream  where  one  lives,  it  will  soon 
come  peeking  and  peering  at  you  between  the  stems. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS    PORZANA. 
General  Characters.  —  Bill  decidedly  shorter  than  tarsus ;  sexes  similar. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  parts  blackish coturniculus,  p.  82. 

1'.  Upper  parts  not  blackish. 

2.  Upper  parts  olive  brown,   back  streaked  longitudinally  with 

white Carolina,  p.  81. 

2'.  Upper  parts  dark  buff,  back  cross-lined  with  white, 

noveboracensis,  p.  82. 

Subgenus  Porzana. 
214.  Porzana  Carolina  (Linn.).    CAROLINA  RAIL:  SOBA. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  olive  brown,  spotted  with  black  and  finely  lined 

rwith  white  ;  middle  of  crown,  face,  and  throat  black  ;  breast 
and  cheeks  bluish  gray,  sides  barred  black  and  white  ;  belly 
whitish;  middle  of  lower  tail  coverts  buff.    Immature:  simi- 
lar to  adult  but  without  black  face  or  bluish  gray  breast. 
Length:  7-85-9.75,  wing  4.15-4.30,  bill  .75-.90,  tarsus  1.25- 
1.35. 
Distribution.  —  Temperate  North  America  from  Hudson 
Bay  and  British  Columbia  south  to  northern  South  America, 
Fig.  91.          breeding  over  most  of  its  United  States  and  Canadian  range. 
Nest.  —  Usually  on  tussock  in  marsh,  made  of  dry  grasses 
or  sedges.     Eggs :  usually  7  to  10,  but  sometimes  14  to  16,  grayish  olive, 
spotted  with  reddish  brown  and  purplish. 

Carolina  rails  are  the  commonest  of  their  family  over  the  eastern 
and  middle  United  States,  or  at  least,  being  more  commonly  meadow 
birds,  are  oftener  seen  than  the  other  species ;  but  in  the  west  they 
are  less  common  than  the  Virginia  rail.  To  avoid  flying,  when  their 
field  is  being  mowed  they  will  often  stay  in  the  fast  narrowing  strip 
of  grass  until  they  must  go  or  meet  the  sharp  teeth  of  the  sickle, 
when  perhaps  a  dozen  will  rise  one  after  another  and  fly  to  fresh 
cover. 


82  RAILS,  GALLINULES,  AND  COOTS 

In  the  wild  rice  fields,  I  have  frequently  watched  them  walking 
daintily  over  the  leaves  and  floating  stems,  swimming  across  the  nar- 
row channels  where  they  could  not  wade,  and  running  in  and  out  of 
the  thousand  little  trails  that  lead  about  under  the  grass  ;  and  have 
often  clapped  my  hands  to  hear  them  answer  back  with  their  mock- 
ing, cackling  laugh.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

Subgenus  Coturnicops. 
215.  Porzana  noveboracensis  (GmeL).    YELLOW  RAIL. 

Upper  parts  dark  buff,  mottled  with  brown  and  black,  feathers  of  back 
narrowly  tipped  with  white  in  wavy  cross-lines ;  wing 
dusky,  with  large  white  patch  on  secondaries ;  throat 
and  breast  plain  buff  or  brownish ;  middle  of  belly 
whitish.  Length  :  6.00-7.75,  wing  3.00-3.60,  bill 
Fig.  92.  .50-.60,  tarsus  .80-100. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  from  Hudson  Bay  and  Nova  Scotia  south 
to  Cuba,  and  west  to  Nevada  and  California. 

Nest.  —  In  marsh,  made  of  dry  grass.  Eggs :  6  to  10,  creamy  buff,  finely 
specked  with  rusty  brown. 

In  habits  the  yellow  rail  is  much  like  the  Carolina,  but  may  readily 
be  distinguished  from  it  even  on  the  wing  by  its  smaller  size  and 
white  wing  patch.  It  is  never  a  common  bird. 

Subgenus  Creciscus. 
216.1.  Porzana  coturniculus  (Ridgw.).  FARALLON  BLACK  RAIL. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  blackish,  finely  speckled  and  barred  with  white, 
patch  on  nape  chestnut  brown,  color  extending 
to  top  of  head,  forehead  slaty ;  under  parts 
rich  plumbeous,  lower  belly,  flanks,  and  under 
tail  coverts  barred  with  white.  Young :  white 
restricted.  Wing  :  2.62,  tarsus  .79,  culmen  .54,  FiK-  93- 

depth  of  bill  at  base  of  nostril  .18. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  United  States.  Breeds  in  coast  marshes 
of  California ;  casual  in  Washington,  Oregon,  and  Lower  California. 

It  was  formerly  supposed  that  the  Farallon  black  rail  had  no 
white  markings  on  the  back,  but  Mr.  Brewster  in  his  Notes  on  the 
Black  Rail  of  California  (The  Auk,  vol.  xxiv,  p.  205,  April,  1907) 
has  shown  that  the  white  markings  vary  with  age  and  with  the  in- 
dividual, and  that  those  with  the  least  white  are  the  young. 

About  twenty  miles  from  the  Farallones,  on  Point  Reyes,  it  has 
been  found  that  the  Farallon  black  rails  occur  in  numbers  in  autumn. 

GENUS    GALLINTJLA. 

219.  Gallinula  galeata  (Licht.).    FLORIDA  GALLINULE. 

Toes  long  and  slender,  not  lobed  ;  bill  slender  and  sharp,  nearly  as  long 

as  head  ;  frontal  shield  extend- 
ing from  bill  to  crown,  widest 
posteriorly  ;  bill  and  shield 
bright  red.  Adults  in  summer : 
dark  slaty  or  plumbeous,  washed 


RAILS,  GALLINULES,  AND  COOTS  83 

with  brownish  on  back,  and  shading  through  darker  on 
neck  to  blackish  on  head ;  edge  of  wings,  lateral  under 
tail  coverts,  and  streaks  on  flanks  white.  Adults  in  win- 
ter :  frontal  plate  smaller  and  belly  suffused  with  white. 
Young :  under  parts,  throat,  and  sides  of  head,  whitish  ; 
frontal  plate  rudimentary.  Length  :  12.00—14.50,  wing 
6.85-7.25,  bill  (including  shield)  1.70-1.80. 

Distribution.  —  Whole    of    tropical    and    temperate         '  Fig.  95. 
America,  from  Brazil  north  to  California  and  eastern  Canada. 

Nest.  —  In  tules  or  grass  on  edge  of  pond  or  wet  marsh ;  made  of  dry 
grass  and  tules.  Eggs:  8  to  11,  buffy  white,  thinly  spotted  with  brown. 

The  Florida  gallinule  is  easily  mistaken  for  a  coot  (Fulica),  which 
it  resembles  in  size  and  general  appearance,  but  like  the  rails  it  is  a 
bird  of  the  shores  and  marshes,  and  although  a  good  swimmer  prefers 
to  keep  mainly  out  of  sight  in  the  grass  and  tules. 

GENUS   FULICA. 

221.  Fulica  americana  Gmel.    AMERICAN  COOT:  MUD  HEN. 

Toes   lobed   or   scalloped   along   edges ;    bill  stout,  nearly  as  long   as 

head  ;  frontal  shield  narrow,  end- 
ing in  a  point  on  crown.  Breeding 
plumage:  bill  white,  with  brown 
spot  near  end,  frontal  shield 

Fi    gg  brown ;     whole    head    and    neck 

blackish ;  rest  of  body  plum- 
beous except  for  white  under  tail  coverts,  edge  of  wing, 
and  tips  of  middle  wing  feathers.  Winter  plumage  : 
belly  whitish  ;  frontal  shield  smaller  than  in  summer. 
Young :  like  winter  adults,  but  with  white  of  belly  ex- 
tending onto  throat ;  bill  dull  flesh  color,  frontal  shield 
rudimentary.  Length :  13-16,  wing  7.25-7.60,  bill  (to 
base  of  shield)  1.25-1.60. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America  from  Alaska  •*  97> 

and  Greenland  south  to  northern  South  America,  West  Indies,  and  Ber- 
mudas ;  breeding  from  Texas  northward. 

Nest.  —  Usually  placed  among  tule  stems  on  the  water  and  built  of  dry 
tule  and  grass  stems.  Eggs  :  8  to  12,  creamy  or  buffy,  finely  specked  with 
brown. 

The  omnipresent  coots  are  among  the  most  social  and  garrulous  of 
our  inland  water  birds.  They  are  good  swimmers  and  often  gather 
in  large  flocks  in  open  water,  but  their  preference  is  always  for  the 
grassy  shores  of  shallow  lakes,  or  open  ponds  surrounded  by  wild 
rice,  tules,  or  flags.  Here  they  dive  in  the  shallow  water,  paddle 
along  shore,  or  run  over  the  rafts  of  floating  plant  stems  in  little 
chattering,  laughing  groups.  When  forced  to  fly  they  make  a  long 
run  on  the  water  and  after  much  kicking  and  spattering  finally  get 
launched  on  the  wing. 

Fortunately  for  them  they  are  of  little  account  as  game  birds  and 
their  plumage  has  no  commercial  value,  so  they  will  probably  con- 
tinue abundant  and  tame. 


84  PHALAROPES 

According  to  Goss  they  feed  on  aquatic  insects,  snails,  tender  water 
plants,  buds,  blossoms,  and  seeds.  Mr.  Evermann  has  found  them 
feeding  largely  on  wild  celery.  In  the  north  they  gather  by  thou- 
sands in  the  rice  lakes  in  fall  and  stay  until  driven  south  by  cold 
weather,  feeding  on  the  rich  grain  as  it  falls,  or  is  scattered  out  by 
their  wings,  and  becoming  excessively  fat.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

ORDER  LIMICOL^J :  SHORE  BIRDS. 

(FAMILIES  PHALAROPODID.E,  RECURVIROSTRID^:,  SCOLOPA- 
CID^E,  CHARADRIID^:,  APHRIZID^E,  ELEMATOPODIDJE,  AND 
JACANIDJE.) 

FAMILY  FHALAROPODID.5J :  FHALAROFES. 

KEY   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Bill  wide  and  flattened,  toes  half  webbed  and  with  scalloped 
margins Crymophilus,  p.  84. 


Fj     gs    1'.  Bill  slender  and  approximately  cylindrical. 

2.  Bill   much   longer   than   head,   toes  webbed  at  base,  with 

straight  margins Steganopus,  p.  85. 

2'.  Bill  not  longer  than  head,  toes  nearly  half  webbed,  and  with 
slightly  scalloped  margins       .     .     .    Phalaropus,  p.  84. 

GENUS   CRYMOPHILUS. 

222.  Crymophilus  fulicarius  (Linn.).    RED  PHALAROPE. 

Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  flat,  widest  toward  end.  Adult  male  in  sum- 
mer :  back  streaked  with  black  and  buff ; 
wing  bluish  and  dusky,  crossed  by  a  white 
band  ;  side  of  head  whitish  ;  under  parts 
dark  cinnamon  brown.  Adult  female  in 
summer :  crown  and  face  plumbeous  or 
blackish,  sides  of  head  pure  white.  Adults 

in  winter :  head,  neck,  and  under  parts  pure  white,  except  for  plumbeous 
on  back  of  head  and  around  eyes  ;  upper  parts  plain  blue  gray.  Young  : 
upper  parts  blackish,  the  feathers  edged  with  yellowish  ;  under  parts 
whitish,  with  dusky  brown  across  breast.  Length  :  7.50-8.75,  wing  5.25- 
5.50,  bill  .SO-.95.  J 

Distribution.  —  Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere,  breeding  in  arctic 

regions.     In  America  south  in  winter  to  the  middle  of  the  United  States 

and  along  the  Pacific  coast  to  Cape  St.  Lucas ;  straggling  to  the  Carolinas. 

Nest  —  A  slight  depression  in  damp  ground,  usually  without  lining. 

Eggs :  3  to  4,  heavily  spotted  with  brown. 

GENUS  PHALAROPUS. 
Subgenus  Phalaropus. 

223.  Phalaropus  lobatus  (Linn.).    NORTHERN  PHALAROPE. 

Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  very  slender  and  sharp;  margins  of  toes 


;   j 


\ 


, 


PHALAROPES  85 

scalloped  ;  wing1  with  white  bar  in  all  plumag.es.  Male  in  breeding  plu- 
mage :  upper  parts  dark  plumbeous,  striped  on  back  with 
buif  and  black ;  sides  of  neck  rufous ;  chest  gray ;  upper 
throat  and  belly  white.  Female  in  breeding  plumage :  brighter 
colored,  rufous  extending  across  throat  as  well  as  on  sides  of 
neck.  Fall  and  winter  plumage:  face,  line  over  eye,  and 
under  parts  white  ;  line  under  eye,  and  back  of  head,  dusky  ; 
upper  parts  mainly  gray.  Young :  like  winter  adults,  but 

upper  parts  darker,  striped  with  buff  and  black.    Length :  7-8,  wing  4.00- 

4.45,  bill  .80-.90. 

Distribution.  —  Northern   part   of   northern   hemisphere ;    in   America, 

breeding  from  Alaska  to  Labrador  and  Greenland  ;   south  in  winter  to 

Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  A   slight   depression   in  the   ground   near  water  ;    lined  with 

leaves  and  grass.     Eggs  :  4,  buffy  or  olive,  irregularly  spotted  with  dark 

browns. 

GENUS   STEGANOPUS. 

224.  Steganopus  tricolor  Vieill.    WILSON  PHALAROPE. 

Bill  slender,  longer  than  head  ;  toes  with  straight-edged  marginal  mem- 
branes ;  wing  without  white  bar ;  female  larger  and  handsomer  than  male. 
Male  in  breeding  plumage :  crown  and  upper  parts  dusky,  touched  with 
brown  ;  sides  of  neck  with  a  chestnut  stripe  ;  throat  and  chest  buffy  ; 
stripe  over  eye,  chin,  and  belly  white.  Female  in  breeding  plumage  :  crown 
and  back  bluish  gray  ;  black  stripe  along  sides  of  head  and  neck  shading 
into  rich  chestnut  along  lower  neck  and  shoulders  ;  chest  and  lower  part  of 
throat  delicate  cinnamon  buff ;  upper  part  of  throat,  belly,  and  line  over 
eye  white.  Adults  in  winter  plumage  :  upper  parts  plain  gray,  chest  and 
sides  of  breast  grayish  ;  rest  of  under  parts  white.  Young :  upper  parts 
dusky,  streaked  with  light  cinnamon  ;  under  parts  white,  with  tinge  of 
cinnamon  across  breast.  Female :  length  9.40-10.00,  wing  5.20-5.30,  bill 
1.30-1.35,  tarsus  1.30-1.35.  Male :  length  8.25-9.00,  wing  4.75-4.80,  bill 
1.25,  tarsus  1.20-1.25. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia,  Saskatchewan,  and  Quebec ; 
south  in  winter  to  Brazil  and  Patagonia ;  breeding  from  Illinois,  Colorado, 
and  Kansas  northward,  mainly  in  the  interior. 

Nest .  —  On  ground,  in  slight  excavation  ;  lined  with  grass.  Eggs  :  3  or 
4,  creamy,  buff  or  drab,  spotted  with  dark  brown. 

There  is  not  among  all  our  waders  a  more  dainty,  exquisitely 
colored  bird  than  the  Wilson  phalarope,  with  its  warm,  richly  blended 
tints,  trim  form,  and  soft  plumage.  You  find  it  in  small  flocks, 
swimming  on  the  ponds  like  tiny  ducks,  or  sandpiper-like  picking 
about  on  the  muddy  shores.  Should  you  enter  its  marshy  breeding 
grounds  it  will  fly  anxiously  about  your  head  with  a  low  '  croaking  ' 
note,  threatening  and  coaxing  to  get  you  away  from  its  nest  and 
young. 

Like  the  other  plialaropes  the  female  is  larger  and  brighter  colored 
than  the  male  and  is  said  to  leave  most  of  the  incubation  and  care  of 
the  young  to  her  more  protectively  colored  mate. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 


86  AVOCETS  AND   STILTS 


FAMILY  RECUR  VIRO  STRID  JE :    AVOCETS  AND 
STILTS. 

KEY   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Bill  strongly  curved  upward  toward  end,  hind  toe  present  but  minute ; 

front  toes  half  webbed Recurvirostra,  p.  86. 

1'.  Bill  scarcely  or  not  at  all  curved  upwards,  hind  toe  wanting,  only  a 

small  web  between  outer  and  middle  toes       .     Himantopus,  p.  86. 

GENUS  RECURVIROSTRA. 

225.  Recurvirostra  americana  GmeL    AVOCET. 

Bill  black,  feet  and  legs  bluish.    Adults  in  summer  plumage  :  head,  neck, 

chest,  and  shoulders  light 
cinnamon,  shading  into 
whitish  around  base  of 
bill ;  under  parts,  rump, 
and  large  patches  on 
wing  white  ;  primaries, 
base  of  wing,  and  half  of 
scapulars  black.  Adults 
in  winter  plumage  :  cinna- 
mon of  head,  neck,  and  chest  replaced  by  grayish  white.  Young :  like 
winter  adults,  but  quills  and  scapulars  tipped  with  whitish,  and  back  of 
neck  tinged  with  buffy.  Length :  15.50-18.75,  wing  8.50-9.00,  bill  3.40- 
3.65,  tarsus  3.70-3.80. 

Distribution.  —  Temperate  North  America,  breeding  from  Texas  to 
Saskatchewan  ;  south  in  winter  to  Guatemala  and  West  Indies.  Not  com- 
mon east  of  the  plains. 

Nest .  —  In  grass  near  water,  made  of  grass  stems.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  pale 
olive  or  buffy,  thickly  spotted  with  varying  shades  of  brown. 

Whether  flying,  walking,  or  swimming,  the  avocet  is  one  of  the 
most  conspicuous  of  our  waders.  Its  long  legs  and  neck,  and  strong 
black  and  white  markings  distinguish  it  from  all  others  even  when 
its  turned-up  bill  is  invisible.  Its  favorite  haunts  are  the  shores  of 
shallow  alkaline  lakes  and  ponds  on  the  plains  and  in  the  western 
valleys.  Small  flocks  are  often  seen  wading  in  water  nearly  up  to 
their  feathers,  rapidly  picking  up  the  small  insects  that  gather  on 
the  surface.  When  the  water  becomes  too  deep  for  wading  they 
swim  freely,  but  do  not  usually  go  far  from  shore.  They  are  seen 
occasionally  feeding  in  a  marsh  or  irrigated  meadow,  and  in  July 
I  have  found  downy  young  hiding  in  the  short  grass  just  back  from 
the  lake  shore.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS  HIMANTOPUS. 

226.  Himantopus  mexicanus  (Mull.}.    BLACK-NECKED  STILT. 
Bill  black,  feet  and  legs  pinkish.     Adult  male :  back  of  head  and  neck, 

shoulders,  and  wings  greenish  black  ;  tail  gray  ;  rest  of  plumage  white, 
breast  tinged  with  dull  pinkish  in  breeding  plumage.     Adult  female  ;  like 


fe: 


BLACK-NECKED  STILT 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  87 

male,  but  black  duller,  or  slaty.  Young :  similar  to  adult  female,  but 
feathers  of  back  bordered  with  buffy,  and  blackish  of  head  and  neck  mot- 
tled with  buffy.  Length :  13.50-15.50,  wing-  8.50-9.00,  bill  2.50,  tarsus  4. 

Distribution.  —  The  United  States,  mainly  in  the  western  interior,  and 
southward  to  Brazil  and  Peru  ;  north  casually  to  Minnesota  and  New 
Brunswick.  Breeds  from  southern  Texas  to  Oregon. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  the  sand  or  on  wet  ground  ;  or  eggs  laid 
in  a  bunch  of  dry  grass.  Eggs :  3  to  4,  buff  or  olive  brown,  thickly  spotted 
with  dark  brown. 

In  spite  of  its  apparently  extravagant  length  of  legs  the  black- 
necked  stilt  is  a  graceful,  well-balanced  bird,  whether  stepping 
daintily  over  the  grass  tops,  wading  in  half  a  foot  of  water,  swim- 
ming when  beyond  its  depth,  or  flying  with  head  drawn  back  and 
legs  straight  out  behind.  As  the  birds  alight  they  raise  their  black 
pointed  wings  over  their  white  body  a  moment,  assuming  a  pose 
that  is  not  only  strikingly  beautiful  but  doubtless  an  important 
directive  and  recognition  signal.  Sometimes  when  quietly  feeding 
one  will  lift  its  wings  in  this  way,  without  apparent  reason. 

Much  of  the  stilt's  food  is  gleaned  from  the  surface  of  the  shallow 
water  or  from  plant  stems  rising  from  it,  and  its  reason  for  prefer- 
ing  the  flooded  marsh  to  the  open  pond  is  presumably  the  greater 
abundance  of  minute  insect  life  found  among  the  aquatic  plants. 

VEBNON  BAILEY. 


FAMILY  SCOLOPACID^S :   SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

KEY  TO  GENERA. 

1.  Back  of  tarsus  covered  with  hexagonal  scales      .     Numenius,  p.  101. 
1'.  Back  of  tarsus  with  a  row  of  transverse  scutellae. 

2.  Ears  under  anterior  corner  of  eyes Philohela,  p.  88. 

2'.  Ears  posterior  to  eyes  or  directly  under  them. 

3.  Ears  directly  under  eyes,  lower  part  of  thighs  naked. 

4.  Crown  and  back  broadly  striped  ....         Gallinago,  p.  88. 
4'.  Crown  and  back  mottled,  not  striped. 

Macrorhamphus,  p.  89. 
3'.  Ears  posterior  to  eyes. 

4.  Hind  toe  wanting Calidris,  p.  94. 

4'.  Hind  toe  present. 

5.  No  trace  of  web  between  toes. 

6.  Bill  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw      .     .     Tringa,  p.  90. 
6'.  Bill  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw  .  Tryngites,  p.  100. 
5'.  A  distinct  web  between  middle  and  one  or  both  lateral  toes. 
6.  Tail  much  graduated,  about  half  as  long  as  wing. 

Bartramia,  p.  99. 
6'.  Tail  not  much  graduated,  not  nearly  half  as  long  as  wing. 

7.  Bill  longer  than  tail Limosa,  p.  95. 

7'.  Bill  shorter  than  tail. 

8.  Bill  distinctly  widened  and  roughened  at  tip. 

Micropalama,  p.  90. 


88  SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

8'.  Bill  not  distinctly  widened  and  roughened  at  tip. 

9.  Wing  less  than  4 Ereunetes,  p.  93. 

9'.  Wing  over  4. 

10.  Tarsus  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw. 

11.  Wing  under  4.60    ....      Actitis,  p.  100. 
11'.  Wing  over  6.50  .     .     .      Heteractitis,  p.  98. 
10'.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  cla\r. 
11.  Wing  with  large  white  patch. 

Symp  hernia,  p.  98. 
11'.  Wing  without  white  patch. 

12.  Upper  tail  coverts  white  .      Totanus,  p.  96. 
12'.  Upper  tail  coverts  dusky. 

Helodromas,  p.  97. 

GENUS  PHILOHELA. 
228.  Philohela  minor  (GmeL).    AMERICAN  WOODCOCK. 

Bill  long  and  slender,  mandibles  grooved  and  roughened  toward  end, 
tip  of  upper  overlapping  the  under ;  nostril  small  at  edge  of  feathers ; 
three  outer  quills  abruptly  narrowed. 

Upper  parts  gravish  brown,  mottled  with  black  ;  back  of  head  black, 
with  narrow  cross-bars  of  buffy  ;  under  parts  rich  buff,  darker  on  throat. 
length. :  10.50-11.75,  wing  4.80-5.70,  bill  2.50-2.75,  tarsus  1.25. 

Distribution. — Eastern  United  States  north  to  Canada,  west  to  Rocky 
Mountains  in  Colorado ;  breeds  throughout  its  range. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  wooded  bottoms,  usually  by  a  log  or  stump,  made 
of  leaves  and  grass.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  grayish  to  buffy  white,  spotted  with 
reddish  brown. 

Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher  says  :  "This  much  sought  game  bird  is  in  dan- 
ger of  extermination  from  the  barbarous  custom  of  hunting  it  in 
spring  and  summer,  just  before  and  during  the  breeding  season." 

GENUS   GALLINAGO. 

230.  Gallinago  delicata  (Ord).    WILSON  SNIPE  :  JACK  SNIPE. 

Bill  long  and  slender,  mandibles  grooved,  roughened,  and  widened 
toward  end  ;  tip  of  upper  overreaching  the 
lower  mandible  ;  nostril  small  and  at  edge 
of  feathers. 

Crown  buff,  with  side  stripes  of  black ; 
back  mainly  black  with  stripes  falling  into 
two  middle  lines  of  buff  and  two  outer  lines 
of  whitish  ;  neck  and  breast  spotted  and 
streaked  with  buff,  brown,  and  dusky  ;  sides 
barred  with  black  and  white ;  belly  white. 
Length:  10.50-11.15,  wing  4.90-5.60,  bill 
2.50-2.70,  tarsus  1.20-1.30. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  and  south 
in  winter  to  northern  South  America,  breed- 
Fig.  102.  ing  from  Colorado  and  Utah  to  north  of  the 

Arctic  Circle. 

Nest .  —  A  grass-lined  cavity  in  marshy  ground.  Eggs  :  3  or  4,  grayish 
olive,  spotted  and  streaked  with  brown  and  black. 

The  plump  jack  snipe  with  the  striped  back  is  a  prober  rather 
than  a  wader,  as  his  short  legs  and  long  bill  attest.  He  pokes  about 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  89 

in  the  muddy  bottoms,  under  grass,  flags,  and  tules,  fishing  up  his 
food  from  the  soft  mud,  the  sensitive  tip  of  his  long  bill  enabling 
him  to  select  the  choicest  worms  and  other  dainty  morsels. 

He  is  a  common  bird  wherever  there  are  marshes  to  his  taste,  and 
most  country  folk  are  familiar  with  his  song.  On  warm  summer 
evenings  or  cloudy  days  before  a  storm  he  mounts  high  in  air  and 
with  rapidly  vibrating  wings  produces  a  prolonged  whirr  that  in- 
creases to  a  diminutive  roar,  and  repeats  it  every  minute  or  two  for 
sometimes  half  an  hour.  At  other  times  he  flies  low  over  the  grass, 
uttering  a  guttural  chuck-chuck-chuck-chuck-chuck,  and  then  drops 
out  of  sight.  His  common,  all-the -year-round  note  is  a  nasal  squank, 
uttered  as  he  springs  from  the  ground  at  your  feet  and  makes  off  in 
quick  zigzags. 

The  only  excuse  for  considering  so  small  a  bird  game  is  his  swift 
irregular  flight,  which  saves  him  from  all  but  the  expert  wing  shot. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS    MACRORHAMPHUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  similar  to  that  of  Gallinago ;  lower  part  of 
back  white,  rump  spotted  black  and  white  ;  tail  finely  cross-barred  with 
black,  buff,  and  white. 

KEY   TO   SUMMER  ADULTS. 

1.  Belly  rich  cinnamon  brown SCOlopaceus,  p.  89. 

1 '.Belly  white  or  buff y griseus,  p.  89. 

231.  Macrorhamphus  griseus  (Gmel.)    DOWITCHEB. 

Similar  to  scolopaceus  but  smaller  and  adults  in  summer  distinguished 
by  whitish  belly  and  dusky  specking  of  sides  and  breast.  Length:  10—11, 
wing  5.25-5.90,  bill  2.00-2.55,  tarsus  1.20-1.50.  Female  decidedly  larger 
than  male. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America,  breeding  far  north;  south  in 
winter  to  Brazil ;  west  as  stragglers  (?)  to  Idaho  and  Oregon. 

232.  Macrorhamphus  scolopaceus  (Say).    LONG-BILLED  Dow- 

ITCHER. 

Adults  in  summer,  —  A  light  stripe  over  eye  and  dusky  stripe  from  eye 
to  bill ;  upper  parts,  except  rump  and 
lower  back,  specked  and  mottled  with 
Llack,  brown,  and  buff ;  rump  white, 
spotted  with  black,  tail  feathers  barred 
black  and  white  ;  entire  under  parts  Fig- 103' 

bright  cinnamon  specked  on  throat  and  barred  on  sides  and  lower  tail  cov- 
erts with  dusky.  Adults  in  winter :  belly  and  line  over  eye  white  ;  rest 
of  plumage  gray.  Young  :  similar  to  adults  but  back  and  crown  mottled 
with  black  and  ochraceous  ;  belly  and  chest  suffused  with  light  cinnamon. 
Length :  11.00-12.50,  wing  5.40-6.00,  bill  2.10-3.00,  tarsus  1.35-1.75. 

Distribution.  —  Western  North  America,  breeding  in  British  Columbia 
and  Alaska ;  migrating  south  through  western  United  States  and  Missis- 
sippi valley  to  northern  South  America  ;  less  common  in  eastern  United 
States. 


90  SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  moss  or  grass,  sometimes  at  considerable 
distance  from  water.  Eggs  :  4,  greenish  olive  to  light  clay  color,  spotted 
with  dark  umber  brown. 

By  some  ornithologists  scolopaceus  is  considered  merely  a  western 
subspecies  of  griseus,  with  intergrades  between  and  probably  a  con- 
tinuous breeding  range  across  the  arctic  regions.  In  winter  plum- 
age the  main  difference  is  one  of  size,  but  as  the  females  of  both 
species  are  larger  than  the  males  only  birds  of  the  same  sex  should 
be  compared. 

In  their  migrations  over  the  United  States  the  long-billed  dow- 
itchers  are  usually  found  in  little  flocks  along  the  coasts  or  among 
the  prairie  sloughs  or  marshes,  flying  swiftly  low  over  the  ground, 
or  feeding  in  close  bunches.  Unfortunately  they  are  considered 
legitimate  game,  and  although  wild  and  ever  on  the  alert  fall  an  easy 
prey  to  the  pot-hunter. 

For  an  interesting  account  of  their  habits  on  their  breeding 
grounds,  see  Nelson's  Birds  of  Alaska.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS   MICROPALAMA. 

233.  Micropalama  himantopus  (Bonap.).    STILT  SANDPIPER. 

Bill  long  and  slender,  conspicuously  widened  and  roughened  at  tip  ;  toes 
webbed  at  base,  legs  long  and  slender. 
Adults  in  summer :  upper  parts  mottled 
with  dusky,  black,  buff,  and  brown  ;  up- 
per tail  coverts  white,  barred  with  dusky ; 
ear  coverts  and  stripe  along  side  of  crown 
rusty  brown  ;  under  parts  thickly  barred 

and  mottled  with  dusky,  buff,  and  white.  Adults  in  winter:  upper  parts 
plain  ashy  gray,  under  parts  including  tail  coverts  white,  specked  on 
sides  ;  throat  and  tail  coverts  marked  with  gray.  Young  :  back  browner, 
belly  plain  buffy,  tail  coverts  nearly  pure  white.  Length :  7.50-9.25,  wing 
5.00-5.30,  bill  1.55-1.75,  tarsus  1.55-1.70. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America,  breeding  north  of  the  United 
States ;  south  in  winter  to  Central  and  South  America ;  west  to  Colorado 
and  Wyoming. 

Goss,  in  his  Birds  of  Kansas,  says:  "I  have  met  with  this  rare 
species  in  the  state  on  several  occasions,  at  all  times  in  small  flocks 
and  along  the  edges  of  old  channels  of  rivers  or  muddy  pools  of 
water  in  which  it  wades  while  feeding." 

GENUS    TRINGA. 

General  Characters.  —  Toes  slender,  without  webs  at  base ;  bill  slender 
and  narrow,  tip  hard  and  smooth. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Middle  pair  of  tail  feathers  not  longer  than  others  .  canutus,  p.  91 
1'.  Middle  pair  of  tail  feathers  sharp  and  longer  than  the  others. 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  91 

2.  Bill  nearly  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw  .     pacifica,  p.  93. 
2' .  Bill  shorter  or  but  little  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

3.  Upper  tail  coverts  white,  slightly  streaked      .    fuscicollis,  p.  92. 
3'.  Upper  tail  coverts  blackish. 

4.  Wing  over  5 maculata,  p.  91. 

4'.  Wing  under  5. 

5.  Wing  4.80-4.90 bairdii,  p.  92. 

5'.  Wing  3.50-3.75 minutilla,  p.  92. 

Subgenus  Tringa. 
234.  Tringa  canutus  Linn.    KNOT. 

The  only  species  of  Tringa  in  which  the  middle  pair  of  tail  feathers  are 
not  decidedly  longer  than  the  rest.  Adults 
in  summer :  upper  parts  grayish  and 
dusky,  tinged  with  buff ;  rump  and  up- 
per tail  coverts  white,  barred  and  spotted 
with  dusky  ;  line  over  eye  and  most  of  Fig. 

under  parts  pale  cinnamon ;  flanks  and 
under  tail  coverts  white.  Adults  in  winter  :  upper  parts  plain-  gray  ;  under 
parts,  rump,  and  tail  coverts  white,  barred  or  streaked  with  dusky  except 
on  belly  and  under  tail  coverts.  Young :  like  adults  in  winter  but  gray 
feathers  of  back  edged  with  whitish  and  dusky,  and  breast  often  suffused 
with  buffy.  Length:  10-11,  wing  6.50,  tail  2.50,  bill  1.40. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  hemisphere,  chiefly  on  the  seacoasts  ;  south  in 
winter  nearly  through  the  southern  hemisphere  ;  breeding  far  north. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited  in  a  tuft  of  grass ;  4,  light  pea  green  specked  with 
brown. 

The  knot  is  rare  inland  and  apparently  less  common  along  the 
Pacific  than  on  the  Atlantic  coast.  It  is  a  beach  bird,  getting  its 
food  from  the  wash  of  the  waves. 

Subgenus  Actodromas. 
239.  Tringa  maculata  Vieill.    PECTORAL  SANDPIPER. 

Bill  longer  than  tarsus  ;  middle  pair  of  tail  feathers  pointed  and  longer 
than  the  rest ;  shaft  of  outer  quill  only, 
pure  white  ;  rump,  upper  coverts,  and  mid- 
dle tail  feathers,  black.  Adults :  upper 
parts  mottled  dusky,  black,  and  buffy  ; 
chest  dark  gray,  finely  "streaked  with 

dusky  ;  chin  and  belly  white.  Young  :  similar  to  adults,  but  upper  parts 
striped  with  ochraceous,  brightest  on  edges  of  tertials  and  tail  feathers  ; 
chest  buffy,  finely  streaked  with  dusky.  Length:  8.00-9.50,  wing  5.00- 
5.50,  bill  1.10-1.20,  tarsus  1.00-1.10. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America,  the  West  Indies,  and  most  of 
South  America,  breeding  in  arctic  regions.  Occasional  in  Europe. 

Nest.  —  On  dry  ground,  in  the  grass.  Eggs :  4,  greenish  drab,  spotted 
with  brown. 

The  pectoral  sandpiper  is  a  common  migrant  in  the  eastern  United 
States  and  the  Mississippi  valley,  but  less  common  westward.  It  is 
found  in  flocks,  on  the  marshes  and  muddy  flats  rather  than  along 
the  beaches. 


92  SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

240.  Tringa  f uscicollis  Vieill.    BONAPARTE  SANDPIPER  :  WHITE- 

RUMPED  SANDPIPER. 

Rump  dusky,  the  feathers  tipped  with  buffy ;  upper  tail  coverts  pure 
white  or  slightly  streaked  with  dusky.  Adults  in  summer :  upper  parts 
buffy  and  gray,  -broadly  streaked  on  crown  and 
back  with  black ;  chest  and  sides  ashy  gray, 
streaked  with  dusky  ;  faint  line  over  eye,  chin, 
anc^  kelly  white.  Adults  in  winter :  upper  parts, 
sides,  and  chest  dark  gray,  obscurely  streaked 
with  dusky.  Young  :  similar  to  adults,  but  feathers  of  upper  parts  exten- 
sively margined  with  rusty,  and  chest  tinged  with  buffy.  Length  :  6.75- 
8.00,  wing  4.90-5.00,  bill  .90-1.00,  tarsus  .95-1.00. 

Distribution.  —  Breeding  in  the  far  north  and  migrating  south  over 
eastern  North  America  and  South  America  to  Falkland  Islands ;  west  to 
Colorado.  Casual  in  Europe. 

241.  Tringa  bairdii  (Coues).    BAIRD  SANDPIPER. 

Middle  upper  tail  coverts  plain  dusky.     Adults  in  summer  :  upper  parts 
spotted  and  streaked  with  black,  grayish,  and  buffy ;  chest  buffy,  streaked 
with  dusky ;  line  over  eye,  chin,  and  belly  whitish. 
Adults  in  winter :  plain  grayish  brown,  obscurely 
streaked  with  dusky  ;  under  parts  whitish,  chest 
Fig.  108.  suffused  with  buffy.      Young :   feathers  of  back 

tipped  with  whitish,  and  chest  less  sharply  streaked 

with  dusky  than  in  summer  adult.    Length :  7.00-7.60,  wing  4.60-4.85,  bill 
.90-1.00,  tarsus  1.00. 

Distribution.  —  Most  of  North  and  South  America.  In  North  America, 
chiefly  the  interior,  breeding  in  Alaska  and  on  the  Barren  Grounds.  Rare 
on  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  coasts. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground,  lined  with  leaves.  Eggs :  4,  light 
drab,  specked  and  spotted  with  brown. 

During  migrations  Baird  sandpipers  are  common  usually  in  small 
flocks  along  the  shores  of  lakes  and  ponds  over  the  western  prairie 
country. 

242.  Tringa  minutilla  Vieill.    LEAST  SANDPIPER. 

Size  very  small,  wing  less  than  4.     Adults  in  summer:  median  parts  of 
tail,   upper  coverts,  and  rump  black  ;    sides  of  coverts  white,   streaked 
with  dusky  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  mainly  blackish, 
specked  and  spotted  with  brown  and  buff ;  chest 
buffy  gray,  specked  with  dusky  ;  belly  and  flanks 
Fig.  109.  white.     Adults  in  winter  :  upper  parts  dark  gray, 

obscurely  spotted  and  streaked  with  dusky  ;  chest 
light  gray,  finely  streaked.  Young  :  crown  and  back  heavily  streaked  with 
rusty,  and  back  spotted  with  white  ;  chest  buffy  gray,  faintly  streaked. 
Length  :  5.00-6.75,  wing  3.50-3.75,  bill  .75-.92,  tarsus  .75. 

Distribution.  —  The  whole  of  North  and  South  America,  wintering  from 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico  south,  breeding  mainly  north  of  the  United  States. 
Accidental  in  Europe. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  a  slight  depression  lined  with  leaves  and  grass. 
Eggs  :  3  or  4,  creaky  buff  to  drab,  irregularly  spotted  with  brown. 

The  least  sandpipers  are  common,  especially  during  migrations, 
over  a  great  part  of  the  United  States.  A  few  remain  in  Dakota 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  93 

through  the  summer,  probably  breeding,  and  in  winter  the  birds  are 
not  uncommon  on  the  coast  prairies  of  Texas.  They  go  in  close 
flocks,  whether  feeding  among  the  larger  waders  on  the  shores  and 
mud  flats,  or  wheeling  and  circling  in  air  on  fast  buzzing  wings. 
They  are  nervous,  active  little  birds,  always  on  the  move  and  quick 
to  take  alarm.  VERNON  BATLEY. 

Subgenus  Pelidna. 
243a.  Tringa  alpina  pacifica  (Coues).    RED-BACKED  SANDPIPER. 

Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  bill  longer  than  tarsus,  slightly 
curved;  middle  of  wing  with  a  large  white  patch.  Adults  in  summer: 
crown,  back,  and  upper  tail  coverts  bright  rusty 
ochraceous,  more  or  less  spotted  or  streaked 
with  black ;  middle  of  belly  black  ;  chest  gray- 
ish white,  thickly  streaked  with  dusky  ;  sides 
and  back  part  of  belly  white.  Adults  in  winter  : 
upper  parts  plain  ashy  gray,  obscurely  streaked  with  dusky  ;  chest  light 
gray,  more  or  less  streaked  with  dusky  ;  rest  of  under  parts,  sides  of  rump, 
and  upper  tail  coverts  white.  Young :  like  adults  in  winter  but  upper 
parts  spotted  and  streaked  with  black  and  ochraceous,  and  breast  coarsely 
spotted  with  black.  Length:  7.60-8.75,  wing  4.60-4.95,  bill  1.40-1.75, 
tarsus  1.00-1.15. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  and  eastern  Asia,  breeding  far  north  and 
wintering  in  California,  the  Gulf  States,  and  southward. 

Nest.  —  A  bed  of  dry  grass.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  pale  greenish  to  pale  brown- 
ish clay  color,  spotted  with  dull  chocolate  and  dark  brown. 

The  red-backed  sandpiper  is  common  in  migrations  or  in  winter 
along  the  coasts  of  the  United  States,  but  is  rarely  seen  in  the  inte- 
rior. The  breeding  plumage  marked  by  rusty  back  and  black  belly 
is  sometimes  acquired  before  the  birds  leave  the,  United  States  for 
their  northern  breeding  grounds,  but  the  winter  plumage  is  the  more 
common  dress  up  to  the  first  of  May. 

t 

GENUS    EREUNETES. 

General  Characters.  —  Toes  distinctly  webbed  at  base  ;  bill  slightly 
widened  and  flattened  at  tip. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Bill  shorter  than  tarsus pusillus,  p.  93. 

1'.  Bill  as  long  as  or  longer  than  tarsus    ....      occidentalis,  p.  94. 

246.  Ereunetes  pusillus   (Linn.).    SEMIPALMATED  SANDPIPER. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Upper  parts  dusky  and  black,  streaked  with  gray 
and  pale  buff ;  chest  light  gray,  finely  streaked  ;  chin, 
belly,  and  sides  white.    Adults  in  winter :  upper  parts 
dull  gray,    obscurely  streaked    with    dusky;    under 
parts  white  tinged  with  gray  across  chest.     Young :  fie.  111. 

back  spotted  with  black,  and  scalloped  and  streaked 
with  buff  and  white;  chest  tinged  with  gray;  rest  of  under  parts  whitish. 


94  SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

Male :  length  6,  wing  3.65-3.90,  bill  .6S-.75,  tarsus  .80-.90.  Female :  length 
6.40,  wing  3.85-4.00,  bill  .80-.92,  tarsus  .85-.9S. 

Distribution.  —  Breeding  from  Labrador  to  Alaska,  migrating  through 
the  eastern  and  middle  United  States  as  far  west  as  the  Rocky  Mountains 
and  Utah ;  south  to  the  West  Indies  and  northern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  the  ground,  lined  with  grass  and  leaves. 
Eggs :  usually  4,  light  drab,  spotted  with  brown. 

The  semipalmated  sandpiper  is  generally  less  common  than  the 
least,  which  it  resembles  in  habits,  general  appearance,  and  small 
size,  but  from  which  it  can  always  be  distinguished  by  the  webbed 
base  of  its  toes. 

247.  Ereunetes  occidentalis  Lawr.    WESTERN  SANDPIPER. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Ear  coverts  and  upper  parts  bright  chestnut,  mottled 
with  black  and  buffy  gray ;  breast  thickly  spotted. 
Adults  in  winter :  upper  parts  dull  gray,  obscurely 
streaked  with  dusky ;  under  parts  white,  with  a  few 
scattered  triangular  spots  of  dusky  on  breast  and  sides. 
Young:  back  spotted  with  black  and  scalloped  with 
dark  chestnut  and  white ;  chest  tinged  with  pinkish 
buff ;  rest  of  under  parts  white.  Male :  wing  3.60- 
3.75,  bill  .S5-.95,  tarsus  .85-.90.  Female:  wing  3.70- 
3.90,  bill  1.00-1.15,  tarsus  .90-.95. 

Distribution.  —  Breeding  in  Alaska  and  British  America,  migrating 
through  western  North  America  to  Central  and  South  America.  Occa- 
sional on  the  Atlantic  coast  in  migrations. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  bare  or  grassy  ground.  Eggs :  usually  4, 
deep  cinnamon  buff,  spotted  with  rusty  brown  or  chestnut. 

The  western  sandpiper  is  common  along  the  Pacific  coast  during 
migration,  but  scarce  and  irregular  in  the  interior. 

GENUS   CALTDRIS. 

248.  Calidris  arenaria  (Linn.).    SANDEBLING. 

Toes  only  3,  short  and  flattened ;  bill  slender,  about  as  long  as  tarsus  ; 
feet  and  legs  black.  Breeding  plumage  :  upper  parts,  throat,  aud  «* 

chest    specked    and     spotted  y 

with  rusty,  black,  and  whit-        zj 
ish  ;  rest  of  under  parts  and      '"Sf 
stripe    on    middle     of    wing      "^ 

Fig.  113.  white.      Adults    in    summer :     lg'114' 

upper  parts  and  throat  specked,  spotted,  and  streaked  with  black,  rusty 
and  whitish ;  rest  of  under  parts  and  stripe  on  wing  white.  Adults  in 
winter:  upper  parts  hoary  gray,  except  blackish  quills  and  bend  of  wing; 
under  parts  snowy  white.  Young  :  upper  parts  coarsely  spotted  with  dusky 
and  gray  above  ;  under  parts  white,  sparsely  marked  with  dusky  and  buffy 
on  chest.  Length  :  7.00-8.75,  wing  4.70-5.00,  bill  .95-1.00,  tarsus  .90-1.05. 
Remarks.  —  In  having  but  three  toes  the  sanderling  resembles  the  plov- 
ers, but  may  be  distinguished  from  them  by  its  slender  bill  and  trans- 
versely scaled  tarsus. 

Distribution.  —  Nearly  cosmopolitan,  but  breeding  only  in  arctic  and 
subarctic  regions  ;  in  America  wintering  from  Texas  and  California  south 
to  Chile  and  Patagonia. 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  95 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  grass  and  leaves.  Eggs : 
usually  4,  light  olive  brown,  spotted  with  various  shades  of  brown. 

The  sanderlings  are  sometimes  found  on  the  inland  lake  shores  and 
during  migrations  are  abundant  on  the  coasts,  picking  along  the 
sandy  beaches  and  chasing  the  retreating  waves. 

GENUS  LIMOSA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  long  and  slender,  straight,  or  slightly  inclined 
upwards,  whole  front  and  back  of  tarsus  covered  with  transverse  scutellae. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Tail  finely  barred  with  cinnamon  and  dusky      ....     fedoa.  p.  95. 
1'.  Tail  black,  tip  and  base  white haemastica,  p.  95. 

249.  Limosa  fedoa  (Linn.).    MARBLED  GODWIT. 

Adults.  —  Plumage  mainly  light  cinnamon  brown,  heavily  mottled  with 
black    on   upper  parts, 
and  finely  barred  with 
blackish  on  chest,  sides, 
and  tail ;  throat  streaked    ^^ 
and  chin  whitish  ;  edge 

of  wing  black.    Young :  p      n_ 

similar    to    adults   but 

more  ochraceous  brown,  and  breast  and  sides  unmarked.     Length  :  16.50- 
20.50,  wing  8.50-9.00,  bill  3.50-5.06. 

Distribution.  —  Nearly  the  whole  of  North  America,  breeding  in  Tran- 
sition zone  from  Iowa  and  Nebraska  north  to  Manitoba,  Saskatchewan, 
and  British  Columbia ;  migrating  to  Guatemala,  Trinidad,  Yucatan,  and 
Cuba. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  grassy  ground,  lined  with  a  little  dry 
grass.  Eggs :  usually  4. 

On  the  prairies,  Colonel  Goss  says,  the  marbled  godwits  are  found 
in  flocks  on  moist  ground  and  fresh  water  marshes.  On  the  sea- 
shore they  follow  the  retreating  waves,  probing  the  wet  sand  with 
their  long,  black-tipped,  flesh-colored  bills. 

251.  Limosa  hsemastica  (Linn.).    HUDSONIAN  GODWIT. 

Tail  black,  tipped  with  white  ;  upper  coverts  crossed  by  a  wide  white 
band.  Adults  in  summer :  back  black,  spotted  with  buff  ;  under  parts 
light  chestnut,  barred  with  dusky  ;  head  and  neck  speckled  and  streaked 
with  buff  and  dusky ;  chin  and  line  over  eye  whitish.  Adults  in  winter  : 
head,  neck,  and  under  parts  buffy  gray ;  upper  parts  plain  grayish  brown. 
Young:  similar  to  winter  adults  but  feathers  of  back  scalloped  with 
dusky  and  buff.  Length  :  14.00-16.75,  wing  8.10-8.60,  bill  2.85-3.45. 

Distribution.  —  Breeding  far  north,  and  migrating  through  the  United 
States  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  ;  south  to  southern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  a  few  leaves.  Eggs : 
usually  4,  deep  olive  or  light  brown,  spotted  with  darker  brown. 

The  Hudsonian  godwit  has  not  been  taken  west  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains. 


96  SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

GENUS    TOTANUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  longer  than  head,  very  slender;  legs  and 
toes  long,  slender,  and  yellow.  Tarsus  one  and  a  half  times  as  long  as 
middle  toe  and  claw. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Bill  nearly  as  long  as  tarsus,  grooved  for  less  than  half  its  length. 

melanoleucus,  p.  96. 
1  .  Bill  much  shorter  than  tarsus,  grooved  for  more  than  half  its  length. 

flavipes,  p.  97. 
Subgenus  Glottis. 

254.  Totanus  melanoleucus  (Gmd.).    GREATER  YELLOW-LEGS. 
Adults  in  summer.  —  Upper  parts  heavily  mottled  with  black,  gray,  and 

white  ;   quills   black ;   upper   tail 
coverts  white,   tail  white  barred 

___ ,  with   gray;    under   parts    white, 

Fig.  no.  spotted  on  chest  and   barred   on 

sides  with  black;  throat  gray, 
streaked  with  dusky.  Adults  in  winter:  upper  parts  dark  gray,  finely 
spotted  with  white  ;  under  parts  mainly  white,  with  fine  spotting  of  gray 
on  chest  and  throat.  Young :  like  adults  in  winter,  but  darker  above  and 
with  buffy  instead  of  white  spotting.  Length:  12.15-15.00,  wing  7.50- 
7.75,  bill  2.20-2.30,  tarsus  2.50-2.75. 

Remarks.  —  In  flight  the  whole  tail  and  rump  appear  white,  and  are 
very  conspicuous. 

Distribution.  —  Nearly  the  whole  of  America,  breeding  from  Nebraska 
and  northern  Illinois  northward,  and  wintering  from  southern  Californir 
and  the  Gulf  states  southward  to  South  America. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  grass.  Eggs  :  ? 
or  4,  grayish  or  brownish  buff,  irregularly  spotted  with  dark  brown.  Fev 
nests  have  been  recorded. 

Over  most  of  the  United  States  the  greater  yellow-legs  are  con 
spicuous  in  spring  and  fall  among  the  flocks  of  migrating  snipes  and 
sandpipers,  not  only  about  marshes  and  ponds,  but  on  irrigated 
fields  where  silvery  minnows  have  been  washed  over  the  land.  Af 
they  walk  about,  the  long  bill  and  neck,  slender  gray  body,  and 
white  breast  are  not  markedly  different  from  those  of  other  sand- 
pipers around  them,  nor  is  there  much  that  is  individual  in  the  dove- 
like  motion  of  their  heads  and  the  occasional  tilting  of  the  tail ;  but 
when  disturbed  by  your  approach  they  rise  in  a  close  flock  with 
their  liquid  tweep,  tu-weep,  and  the  white  rump  and  tail,  together  with 
their  large  size,  mark  them  unmistakably.  Like  others  of  their 
kind,  unless  too  thoroughly  alarmed  they  fly  only  a  short  distance 
before  wheeling  and  circling  back.  As  they  wheel  and  circle  the 
shifting  whiteness  of  the  flocks  against  the  blue  of  the  sky  is  enough 
to  rouse  one's  enthusiasm.  As  they  get  ready  to  alight  they  lean 
over  and  look  down,  set  their  wings,  and  then  come  to  ground,  rais- 
ing their  wings  gracefully  over  their  backs  for  a  moment  after  their 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  97 

feet  touch  the  earth.  But  though  fascinating  to  watch  at  their 
feeding  grounds,  they  are  seen  at  their  best  when  they  come  in  high 
from  a  distance  on  angular  tern-like  wings  and  sweep  swiftly  down 
through  the  sky. 

255.  Tetanus  flavipes  (Gmel.).    LESSER  YELLOW-LEGS. 
Smaller  than   melanoleucus.     Plumage  similar  in  all  its  stages,  but  with 

finer  markings.    Length  :  9.50-1 1.00,  wing 
6.10-6.65,  bill  1.30-1.55,  tarsus  2.00-2.15. 

Distribution.  —  Nearly   the    whole    of 

America,  breeding  mainly  north  of  the  Fi     117 

United   States ;    migrating    to    southern 

South  America.  Less  common  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  ;  accidental 
in  Europe. 

Nest.  —  A  mere  depression  in  the  ground,  sometimes  lined  with  leaves 
or  grass.  Eggs  :  usually  4,  of  varying  shades  of  buff,  spotted  with  dark 
browns. 

In  habits  as  well  as  general  appearance  the  lesser  yellow -legs 
resembles  its  larger  relative,  with  which  it  is  often  found,  sometimes 
in  the  same  flock  but  more  often  in  separate  flocks  on  the  same 
feeding  ground.  When  seen  together  the  difference  in  size  is  most 
noticeable,  though  the  birds  are  otherwise  counterparts. 

GENUS  HELODROMAS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  very  slender,  a  little  longer  than  head ;  legs 
and  toes  olive  green,  long,  and  slender  ;  tarsus  scarcely  longer  than  middle 
toe  and  claw. 

KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Specking  of  back  white  or  creamy solitarius,  p.  97. 

1'.  Specking  of  back  cinnamon  brown     ....    ciniiamomeus,  p.  98. 

256.  Helodromas  solitarius  (Wils.).    SOLITARY  SANDPIPER. 
Adults  in  summer.  —  Upper  parts,  including  upper  tail  coverts  and  two 

middle  tail  feathers,  dark  olive  gray,  finely 

specked  with  whitish  ;   rest  of  tail  barred 

with  white  ;  outer  quills  and  edge  of  wing 

deep  black  ;  under  parts  white,  streaked 

with  dusky  on  chest  and  throat.     Adults 

in  winter :  upper  parts  more   dusky  and  less  olive,  chest  less  streaked. 

Young :  specking  of  back  buff y,  and  dusky  of  chest  and  sides  tinged  with 

buff.     Wing:  4.83-5.19,  tail  2.05-2.28,  bill  1.03-1.20. 

Remarks.  —  The  solitary  is  distinguished  from  the  other  sandpipers  in 
the  field  by  its  dark  color  and  black  wings,  and  by  its  shrill  note  as  it  takes 
wing. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  breeding 
from  the  northern  United  States  northward,  and  migrating  to  Argentina 
and  Peru. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  leaves  and  grass. 
Eggs  :  said  to  be  2  to  4,  dull  buffy,  spotted  with  rich  brown  and  purplish 
gray.  F»w  nests  have  ever  been  found  or  well  identified  eggs  collected. 


98  SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

A  little  grass-fringed  pond  in  the  half  open  woods  is  a  favorite 
wading-ground  of  the  solitary  sandpiper's,  but  the  birds  are  often 
seen  singly  or  in  pairs  by  wayside  puddles  or  meadow  creeks,  pick- 
ing their  food  from  the  shallow  water  with  easy  graceful  motions, 
pausing  now  and  then  with  head  erect  to  make  a  teetering  bow. 
They  are  quiet,  shy  birds,  but  not  unapproachable,  and  they  show 
an  interested  curiosity  in  strangers.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

256a.  H.  S.  cinnamomeus  (Brewst.).  WESTERN  SOLITARY  SAND- 
PIPER. 

Slightly  larger  than  solitarius,  with  the  spotting  of  back  in  typical 
specimens  cinnamon  brown  instead  of  white  or  creamy,  and  with  sides  of 
face  lighter  colored.  Wing:  5.10-5.49,  tail  2.18-2.30,  bill  1.15-1.30. 

Distribution.  —  Western  North  America,  migrating  south  through  the 
Great  Basin  and  Pacific  coast  region  to  Lower  California  and  southward. 

In  general  appearance  and  habits  the  western  is  the  counterpart 
of  the  eastern  solitary. 

GENUS  SYMPHBMIA. 

258a.  Symphemia  semipalmata  inornata  Brewst.  WEST- 
ERN WlLLET. 

Size  large,  bill  slender,  straight,  about  as  long  as  tarsus ;  base  of  toes 
webbed ;  base  of  tail  and  large  patch  on  wing  always  white.  Adults  in 
summer :  upper  parts  mottled  gray  and  dusky ;  end  of  tail  gray  ;  belly 
white  ;  chest  and  sides  buffy,  barred  with  dusky,  and  throat  streaked  with 
dusky.  Adults  in  winter  :  upper  parts  plain  ashy  gray  ;  under  parts  white, 
grayish  on  sides  of  throat  and  breast.  Young :  like  adults,  but  upper 
parts  and  sides  more  buffy  or  ochraceous.  Wing :  7.88-8.26,  bill  2.28-2.70, 
tarsus  2.45-2.95. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  west  of  the  Mississippi  valley,  and  north 
to  about  56°,  breeding  from  the  Gulf  coast  of  Texas  north  to  Manitoba ; 
south  in  winter  to  Mexico.  Casual  along  the  Atlantic  states  in  migration. 

Nest.  —  In  a  tussock  of  grass,  rather  bulky,  and  composed  of  grass  and 
various  plant  stems.  Eggs :  4,  grayish  buffy  or  olive,  heavily  spotted 
with  dark  brown  and  purplish  gray. 

The  western  willet  differs  from  the  eastern  in  slightly  larger  size 
and  in  shades  of  color,  but  not  in  general  appearance  or  habits. 
The  shores  of  lakes  and  ponds  are  its  favorite  feeding  grounds,  but 
it  is  sometimes  found  on  the  meadows  or  prairies  not  far  from  water. 

After  seeing  the  inconspicuous  ashy  gray  birds  feeding  quietly 
along  a  sandy  beach,  there  is  something  startling  in  the  flash  of 
strongly  contrasted  white  and  dark  gray  markings  and  the  boisterous 
laugh  as  they  take  to  wing.  Once  seen  and  heard,  they  can  be  con- 
fused with  no  other  waders.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS   HETEBACTITIS. 

259.  Heteractitis  incanus  (Gmel).    WANDERING  TATLER. 

Web  between  middle  and  outer  toes,  but  not  between  middle  and  inner ; 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  99 

bill  straight  and  slender,  longer  than  tarsus  ;  tarsus  equal  to  length  of  mid- 
dle toe  and  claw.  Adults  in  summer  :  upper  parts  plain  slaty  or  plumbeous 
gray ;  under  parts  thickly  barred  with  white  and  dusky,  becoming  more 
spotted  on  throat  and  pure  white  on  anal  region.  Adults  in  winter :  middle 
of  belly  and  chin  white  ;  chest,  sides,  and  upper  parts  gray.  Young  :  like 
winter  adults  but  with  fine  specks  and  narrow  scallops  of  white  on  wings 
and  back.  Length:  10.50-11.30,  wing  6.50-7.30,  bill  1.50-1.60,  tarsus 
1.25-1.35. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  America,  from  Norton  Sound  to  Lower 
California  and  Galapagos  Islands  ;  west  to  Kamschatka  and  the  Hawaiian 
and  Polynesian  Islands  ;  breeding  from  Vancouver  Island  northward. 

Nest  and  eggs  apparently   not   recorded. 


GENUS    BARTBAMIA. 

261.  Bartramia  longicauda  (Bechst.).  BARTRAMIAN  SANDPIPER: 
UPLAND  PLOVER. 

Tail  long  and  graduated,  the  end  reaching  well  beyond  tips  of  folded 
wings  ;  base  of  toes  webbed  only  between  outer  and  middle.  Adults  : 
rump  black,  rest  of  upper  parts  dusky,  or  greenish  black,  scalloped  and 
streaked  with  buff ;  crown  blackish,  with  a  median  line  of  light  buff  ; 
sides  and  lower  surface  of  wing  barred  with  black  and  white  ;  throat 
streaked  and  chest  marked  with  dusky;  chin  and  belly  white.  Length: 
11.00-12.75,  wing  6.50-7.00,  bill  1.10-1.15,  tarsus  1.90-2.05,  tail  3.40-3.50. 

Distribution.  —  Most  of  North  America,  but  mainly  the  plains  and  prairie 
region  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains ;  north  to  Nova  Scotia  and  Alaska ; 
west  to  Utah  and  Oregon  ;  breeding  from  southern  Kansas  and  Utah  north- 
ward ;  migrating  to  Brazil  and  Peru.  Accidental  in  Europe  and  Australia. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression,  usually  in  bare  ground,  sometimes  with  a 
little  grass  lining.  Eggs :  4,  creamy  or  buffy,  spotted  with  dark  brown 
and  purplish  gray. 

While  in  habits  more  plover  than  sandpiper,  Bartramia  combines 
even  more  the  characteristics  of  the  curlew  and  the  godwit.  It  is 
rarely  found  near  water,  being  preeminently  a  bird  of  the  prairie. 
Sometimes  during  migrations  it  gathers  in  large  flocks  but  is  usually 
found  in  pairs  catching  insects  in  the  prairie  grass  and  flowers  or 
following  the  plough  picking  up  worms  from  the  fresh  earth.  To  the 
plough-boy  of  the  plains  it  is  a  confiding  companion,  trusting  him  at 
a  friendly  distance  and  confidently  answering  his  low  whistles,  while 
he  in  turn  marks  its  nests,  leaving  many  a  bit  of  unploughed  ground 
for  its  home.  The  soft  bubbling  whistle  of  the  old  birds  as  they 
come  over  the  prairie  to  meet  you,  and  with  curved  trembling  wings 
circle  about,  trying  to  coax  you  away  from  their  nests  or  young,  is 
one  of  the  sweetest,  most  characteristic  sounds  of  the  prairie. 

But,  for  the  morsel  of  meat  on  their  breasts,  these  beautiful, 
friendly  birds  are  counted  game,  even  on  their  breeding  grounds, 
and  in  migration  they  are  slaughtered  by  thousands  on  the  southern 
prairies.  VERNON  BAILEY. 


100  SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 

GENUS    TRYNGITES. 

262.  Tryngites  subruficollis  (Vieill.).    BUFF-BREASTED  SAND- 

PIPER. 

Toes  not  webbed ;  bill  slender,  straight,  and  about  as  long  as  middle 
toe  without  claw ;  under  surface  of  wing  beautifully  mottled  and  marbled 
with  black  on  white  and  creamy.  Adults :  upper  parts  dull  brownish 
buff,  the  feathers  with  black  or  dusky  centers ;  under  parts  plain  rich 
buff.  Young :  like  adults,  but  feathers  of  back  edged  with  whitish. 
Length:  7.00-8.90,  wing  5.10-5.50,  bill  .75-.80,  tarsus  1.15-1.30. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  in  general,  especially  the  interior,  breed- 
ing from  the  interior  of  British  America  and  the  Yukon  district  to  the 
arctic  coast;  south  in  winter  to  Uruguay  and  Peru.  Occasional  in 
Europe. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  a  little  moss  or  grass. 
Eggs  :  usually  4,  grayish  or  pale  olive  buff,  spotted  with  dark  brown  and 
purplish  gray. 

Although  so  widely  distributed,  the  buff-breasted  sandpipers  do 
not  seem  to  be  common  except  on  their  northern  breeding  grounds, 
and  in  some  of  their  southern  stopping  places.  In  the  spring  migra- 
tion they  are  abundant  on  the  coast  prairies  of  Texas  and  Louisiana 
and  are  favorite  game  birds  of  the  pot-hunters  because  they  go  in 
dense  flocks  on  the  open  prairie  and  yield  many  birds  to  few  shots. 

GENUS   ACTITIS. 

263.  Actitis  macularia  (Linn.).    SPOTTED  SANDPIPER. 

Small  and  slender,  bill  approximately  the  length  of  tarsus,  or  of  middle 
toe  and  claw.  Adults  in  summer :  entire  upper  parts  bronzy  or  greenish 
olive,  faintly  marked  with  dusky ;  under  parts  white,  marked,  except  on 
middle  of  belly,  with  round  spots  of  dusky  ;  quills  dusky,  secondaries 
tipped  with  white,  with  a  conspicuous  white  line  along  the  middle  of  open 
wing.  Adults  in  winter :  white  of  under  parts  unspotted.  Young :  like 
winter  adults  but  finely  barred  on  wings  and  back  with  dusky  and  buff. 
Length  :  7-8,  wing  4.05-4.60,  bill  .90-1.05,  tarsus  .90-1.05. 

Remarks.  —  In  the  field  the  spotted  sandpiper  can  always  be  recognized 
by  its  small  size,  plain  gray  color,  and  the  conspicuous  white  bar  along  the 
middle  of  the  wing  in  flight. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  throughout  most  of 
its  range  ;  south  in  winter  to  Brazil  and  Uruguay. 

Nest.  —  On  dry  ground  in  tuft  of  grass  or  under  low  bush,  lined  with 
leaves  and  grass.  Eggs  f  4,  buffy,  spotted  with  lilac,  dark  brown,  and 
black. 

Although  never  numerous  or  in  flocks,  the  spotted  sandpiper  or 
river  sand  peep  is  the  commonest  and  best  known  of  our  sandpipers 
over  the  country  at  large.  There  is  hardly  a  patch  of  water  from 
the  brooks  in  the  mountain  meadows  to  the  rivers  in  the  lowlands 
which  has  not  one  or  more  pairs  of  these  little  quaker  gray  birds 
picking  along  their  shores  with  teetering  gait,  and  with  shrill  peet- 
weet,  buzzing  from  stone  to  stone  so  fast  that  their  wing  tips  seem 


LONG-BILLED  CURLEW 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC.  101 

always  to  be  pointing  down  as  they  fly,  their  whole  bodies  tipping 
violently  when  they  alight.  This  teetering  motion,  which  becomes 
ridiculously  rapid  under  excitement  or  alarm,  has  given  the  bird  its 
familiar  names  of  tip-up  and  teeter-tail. 

GENUS    NTJMENTUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  curved  and  slender,  longer  than  tarsus  ;  front 
of  tarsus  with  transverse  scutellae ;  toes  webbed  at  base. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Bill  of  adult  longer  than  tarsus  and  middle  toe ;  crown  not  striped. 

longirostris,  p.  101. 
1'.  Bill  not  longer  than  tarsus  and  middle  toe. 

2.  Crown  black  with  middle  line  of  buff      .     .     .  hudsoiiicus,  p.  102. 

2'.  Crown  specked,  without  middle  line  of  buff     .     .    borealis,  p.  102. 

264.  Numenius  longirostris  Wils.    LONG-BILLED  CUHLEW. 

Plumage  light  cinnamon,  barred  and  mottled  on  upper  parts  with  dusky 
and  black  ;  outer  webs  of  outer  quills  wholly  black  ;  head,  neck,  throat, 
and  chest  streaked  with  dusky  ;  crown  mainly  dusky ;  belly  plain  cinna- 
mon ;  chin  whitish.  Length :  20-26,  wing  10-11,  bill  2.30  in  young  of 
year  to  8.50  in  old  birds  ;  tarsus  3.00-3.50. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  temperate  North  America,  breeding  from 
Texas  to  Canada,  migrating  to  Guatemala,  Cuba,  and  Jamaica. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  grass.  Eggs  :  3  or  4, 
grayish  buff  to  pale  buffy  brown,  spotted  with  dark  brown  and  lilac. 

On  the  prairies  in  migration  you  sometimes  see  a  flock  of  a 
hundred  curlew  flying  high  overhead  in  long  shifting  lines  of  form- 
ing and  dissolving  wedges  ;  and  on  the  irrigated  fields  of  the  in- 
terior, in  marked  contrast  to  the  white  moving  throng  of  small  bob- 
bing snipe  and  sandpipers,  you  often  find  a  small  company  of  the 
big,  brown,  round-backed  Numenius  with  their  long,  curved  bills 
down  before  them,  stalking  along  with  dignified  demeanor.  As 
they  rise  and  fly  you  get  a  flash  of  rich,  warm  color,  and  your  ear  is 
startled  by  their  stirring  clarion  call.  When  they  come  to  earth, 
like  other  waders  they  raise  their  wings  over  the  back  for  an  instant 
with  most  striking  effect. 

When  an  intruder  approaches  their  breeding  grounds  they  often 
come  over  the  prairie  to  meet  him  and  circle  around  with  wild  cries 
and  shrill  laughter. 

There  is  little  excuse  for  killing  these  splendid  birds  for  game,  as 
they  make  too  easy  a  mark  for  any  true  sportsman,  and  when  taken 
are  of  little  use,  as  their  flesh  is  tough  and  dry. 

Colonel  Goss  gives  their  food  as  worms,  crickets,  beetles,  grass- 
hoppers, small  snails,  crabs,  and  crawfish,  and  says  that  they  reach 
for  the  crabs  with  their  long  bills  and  pull  them  out  of  their  holes, 
and  probe  for  larvae  that  come  near  the  surface  in  spring. 


102  PLOVERS 

265.  Numenius  hudsonicus  Lath.    HUDSONIAN  CURLEW. 

Smaller  than  longirostris,  with  shorter  bill  and  duller  coloration  ;  quills 
plain  dusky.  Upper  parts  specked,  mottled,  and  barred  with  dusky  and 
buff ;  crown  black  with  middle  and  side  lines  of  buff ;  a  dusky  stiipe 
through  eye  ;  under  parts  buffy,  barred  and  streaked  on  sides,  chest,  and 
neck  with  dusky.  Length :  16.50-18.00,  wing  9.00-10.25,  biU  3-4,  tarsus 
2.25-2.30. 

Distribution.  —  Nearly  the  whole  of  North  and  South  America  and  the 
West  Indies,  breeding  in  the  far  north  and  wintering  in  the  southern 
United  States  and  southward. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  grass  and  leaves.  Eggs  : 
usually  4,  creamy  to  pale  olive,  spotted  with  dull  brown. 

The  Hudsonian  curlew  is  common  on  the  coasts  but  rare  in  the 
interior.  In  habits  as  well  as  general  appearance  it  is  similar  to  the 
long-billed  curlew. 

266.  Numenius  borealis  (Forst.).    ESKIMO  CURLEW. 

Similar  to  hudsonicus  but  smaller,  with  slenderer  bill ;  crown  faintly 
specked  with  buffy  on  black,  and  without  a  distinct  median  line  of  buff. 
Length  :  12.60-14.50,  wing  8.00-8.50,  bill  2.25-2.50,  tarsus  1.70-1.80. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America,  breeding  in  arctic  regions  and 
migrating  to  southern  South  America ;  now  nearly  extinct. 

Nest  and  eggs.  —  Similar  to  those  of  hudsonicus. 

The  Eskimo  curlew  was  formerly  an  abundant  migrant  on  the 
plains  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

FAMILY   CHARADRinXff! :    PLOVERS. 

KEY  TO   GENERA. 

1.  Hind  toe  present  but  small Squatarola,  p.  102. 

1'.  Hind  toe  wanting. 

2.  Upper  parts  spotted,  belly  black  in  summer,  grayish  in  winter. 

Charadrius,  p.  103. 

2'.  Upper  parts  plain,  belly  always  white     ....  -SJgialitis,  p.  103. 

GENUS   SQUATAROLA. 


270.  Squatarola  squatarola  (Linn.). 

BLACK-BELLIED  PLOVER. 
Hind  toe  minute  ;  bill  rather  short.  Adults 
in  summer :  face,  throat,  and  belly  black,  bor- 
dered with  white  ;  upper  parts  spotted  with 
black  and  white  ;  upper  tail  coverts  white  at 
base  ;  outer  half  of  tail  barred  with  dusky. 
Adults  in  winter:  under  parts  white,  overlaid, 
streaked,  and  mottled  with  dusky  and  gray, 
becoming  creamy  or  white  on  anal  region ; 
upper  parts  spotted  with  gray  and  dusky. 
Young  :  like  winter  adults,  but  spotted  above 
with  light  yellow,  gray,  and  black.  Length : 
10.50-12.00,  wing  7.50,  bill  1.10,  tarsus  1.95. 
Fig.  119.  Distribution.  —  Nearly  cosmopolitan,  but 


PLOVERS  103 

chiefly  in  the  northern  hemisphere,  breeding  far  north ;  south  in  winter  in 
America  to  Brazil. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground  lined  with  old  grass.  Eggs :  4,  light 
buffy  olive,  spotted  with  dark  brown  or  black. 

"I  have  found  this  species  quite  common  upon  both  coasts  but 
rare  inland,  where  it  seldom  stops  except  to  rest  on  its  migratory 
flights  to  and  from  its  breeding-grounds.  ...  In  habits  it  is  similar 
to  the  golden  plover. "  (Goss.) 

GENUS   CHARADRIUS. 

272.  Charadrius  dominions  Mull.    GOLDEN  PLOVER. 

Hind  toe  wanting,  bill  small  and  slender.  Adults  in  summer:  upper 
parts  black  or  dusky,  spotted  with  bright  yellow  and  white  ;  face,  throat, 
and  belly  black,  bordered  with  a  line  of  white  ;  tail  dusky,  barred  with 
gray  or  yellow.  Adults  in  winter  :  under  parts  mottled  dusky  gray  ;  back 
less  golden  than  in  summer.  Young :  like  winter  adults,  but  with  upper 
parts  more  golden,  and  yellow  wash  over  neck  and  breast.  Length :  9.50- 
10.80,  wing  6.80-7.40,  bill  .80-1.00,  tarsus  1.55-1.82. 

Distribution.  —  North  and  South  America,  breeding  in  arctic  regions, 
and  migrating  to  Patagonia. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  the  moss  or  dry  grass.  Eggs :  4,  pale 
grayish  or  olive  buff  to  buffy  brown,  spotted  with  dark  brown  or  black. 

In  the  United  States  the  golden  plover  is  a  common  migrant  east 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  but  less  frequently  seen  toward  the  Pacific 
coast. 

GENUS  ^BGIALITIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Hind  toe  wanting ;  bill  much  shorter  than  head  ; 
colors  plain,  with  or  without  black  bands. 

KEY   TO  SPECIES. 

1 .  Chest  without  trace  of  black  bars montana,  p.  105. 

1'.  Chest  with  complete  or  interrupted  bar  of  black  or  dusky  in  adults. 

2.  Chest  with  two  black  bars vocifera,  p.  103. 

2'.  Chest  with  one  complete  or  interrupted  bar  of  black  or  dusky. 
3.  Chest  with  complete  bar. 
4.  Bill  not  over  .55. 

5.  Front  toes  connected  by  web  at  base  .  semipalmata,  p.  104. 
5'.  Middle  and  inner  toe  not  connected  by  web  at  base. 

circumciiicta,  p.  104. 

4'.  Bill  about  .80 wilsonia,  p.  105. 

3'.  Chest  with  only  a  black  spot  on  each  side  .     .     .    nivosa,  p.  105. 

Subgenus  Oxyechus. 

273.  .ZEgialitis  vocifera  (Linn.).    KILLDEEK. 

Adults.  —  Chest  crossed  by  two  black  bands,  the  upper  encircling  the 


104  PLOVERS 

neck;  forehead,  collar,  and  under  parts  white; 
front  of  crown  black  ;»rump  and  sides  of  tail  bright 
ochraceous  yellow ;  rest  of  upper  parts  dull  olive 
brown.  Young :  similar  to  adults  but  duller,  with 
much  rusty  on  back.  Length :  10.00-11.25,  wing 
6.20-6.75,  bill  .70-.90,  tarsus  1.40-1.55. 

Distribution.  —  Whole  of  temperate  North  Amer- 
ica, breeding  throughout  its  range,  wintering  from 

California    and    the    Gulf    coast    of   the    United 

Fig.  120.    Kiikleer.         States  and  West  Indies  south  to  northern  South 

America. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  bare  ground.  Eggs :  4,  dull  buffy, 
spotted  with  dark  brown  and  black. 

The  killdeer  is  everywhere  too  common  to  need  description,  and 
even  its  name,  dinned  in  our  ears  from  morning  till  night  from 
roadside  puddles,  barnyard,  and  meadow  in  the  shrill  kill-dee',  Mil- 
dee',  kill-dee',  kill-dee',  becomes  almost  tiresomely  familiar.  Vocifer- 
ous at  all  times,  the  plover  becomes  doubly  so  when  the  little  downy 
striped  young  are  trotting  about  in  the  short  grass.  Then  the  cries 
and  frantic  endeavors  of  the  old  birds  to  lead  the  intruder  another 
way  by  running  ahead,  limping,  falling  over,  fluttering  the  spread 
wings  and  tail,  and  uttering  low  notes  of  pain,  would  be  ludicrous 
if  not  done  in  tragic  earnest.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

Subgenus  2&gialitis. 

274.  -Silgialitis  semipalmata  Bonap.  SEMIPALMATED  PLOVER. 
Size  small ;  distinct  basal  webs  between  front  toes  ;  bill  very  small  and 
short,  less  than  middle  toe  without  claw,  the  basal  half  yellow  in  adults. 
Adults  in  summer :  throat  encircled  by  a  black  collar, 
bordered  above  on  back  of  neck  with  a  white  band ; 
face  black,  with  a  white  bar  across  forehead  ;  upper 
parts  brownish  gray,  under  parts  white.  Adults  in 
winter :  black  of  summer  plumage  replaced  by  dark 
gray.  Young :  like  winter  adults,  but  with  feathers 
of  upper  parts  edged  with  buffy.  Length :  6.50-7.50, 
wing  4.65-5.00,  bill  .4S-.55,  tarsus  .95-1.05. 

Distribution.  —  In  North  America,  breeding  far 
north,  wintering  from  Texas  to  Brazil,  Peru,  and  the 
Galapagos  Islands. 

Nest.  —  A  depression  in  the  ground,  sometimes  lined  with  grass  and 
leaves.  Eggs :  4,  dull  buffy  or  olive  buff,  spotted  with  dark  brown  and 
black. 

"  This  species  is  quite  common  in  suitable  localities  throughout 
the  continent.  They  are  often  met  with  upon  low,  marshy  ground, 
but  seem  to  prefer  the  sandy  shores  to  barren  lands."  (Goss.) 

277a.  -Slgialitis  meloda  circumcincta  Eidgw.    BELTED  PIP- 
ING PLOVER. 

Middle  and  inner  toes  without  basal  web.  Adult  male  in  summer  :  upper 
parts  buffy  gray,  chest  sometimes  with  continuous  black  band  ;  forehead, 


PLOVERS  105 

collar,  and  under  parts  white.  Adult  female  in  summer:  duller  black. 
Adults  in  winter:  black  replaced  by  buffy  gray.  Young :  like  winter  adult, 
but  with  buffy  edgings  to  feathers  of  back.  Length  :  6.25-7.50,  wing-  4.50- 
4.80,  bill  .45-.50. 

Distribution.  —  Mississippi  valley  and  north  to  Lake  Winnipeg",  west  to 
Cheyenne,  Wyoming,  east  occasionally  to  the  Atlantic  ;  breeding-  from 
Illinois  and  Nebraska  northward,  and  wintering  on  the  Gulf  coast  and 
southward. 

278.  .ffigialitis  nivosa  Cass.    SNOWY  PLOVER. 

Bill  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw,  slender,  and  entirely  black. 
Chest  band  reduced  to  a  spot  at  each  side  of  breast.  Adults  in  summer  : 
crown  and  back  pale  buffy  gray  ;  face  and  under  parts  white ;  wide  bar 
across  front  of  crown,  ear  patch,  and  spot  at  side  of  chest  black.  Adults 
in  winter :  black  replaced  by  dusky  gray.  Young :  similar  to  winter 
adults,  but  with  feathers  of  back  tipped  with  white.  Length  :  6.25-7.00, 
wing  4.20-4.30,  bill  about  .60,  tarsus  .90-1.05. 

Distribution.  —  Western  United  States,  east  to  western  Nebraska,  Kan- 
sas, and  Texas ;  south  in  winter  to  Chili ;  breeding  over  most  of  its  United 
States  range. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  the  sand.  Eggs :  3,  dull  light  buff, 
spotted  with  dark  brown  and  black. 

On  the  shores  of  Salt  Lake  while  the  great  white  gulls  disport 
themselves  in  the  air  and  on  the  water,  the  plump  little  snowy  plover 
is  trotting  along  the  beach  gathering  his  food  as  he  goes.  If  fright- 
ened, lie  drops  into  the  deep  footprint  of  a  horse  and  is  lost  to  view, 
so  well  does  his  back  match  the  dull  gray  surface.  Though  so  small, 
he  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  bits  of  life  in  his  big  landscapes. 

Subgenus  Ochthodromus. 

280.  -ZEgialitis  wilsonia  (Ore?).    WILSON  PLOVER. 

Much  smaller  than  the  killdeer,  with  but  one  black  band  across  chest 
and  without  yellow  on  rump  or  upper  tail  coverts.  Adult  male :  upper 
parts  brownish  gray,  with  black  across  front  of  crown,  lores,  and  chest ; 
forehead,  superciliary  line,  collar,  and  rest  of  under  parts  white.  Adult 
female :  black  of  male  replaced  by  brownish  gray,  more  or  less  tinged 
with  rusty.  Young  :  similar  to  female,  but  feathers  of  upper  parts  mar- 
gined with  grayish.  Length :  7.50-7.90,  wing  4.50,  bill  .80,  tarsus  1.25. 

Remarks.  —  The  Wilson  plover  may  be  distinguished  from  the  other 
small  plovers  by  its  much  longer  bill. 

Distribution.  —  Coasts  and  islands  from  southern  California  and  Long 
Island  south  to  Brazil  and  Peru.  Casual  to  Nova  Scotia. 

Subgenus  Podasocys. 

281.  ^gialitis  montana  (Towns.).    MOUNTAIN  PLOVER. 

Bill  slender ;  tail  less  than  half  as  long  as  wing  ;  chest  without  band  ; 
middle  and  inner  toes  not  connected  by  basal  web.  Adults 
in  summer :  upper  parts  plain  grayish  or  buffy  brown  ; 
under  parts  white  or  buffy ;  forehead  and  line  over  eye 
white;  front  edge  of  crown  and  streak  in  front  of  eye, 
black.  Adults  in  winter :  without  pure  \\hite  or  black 
markings,  and  with  more  of  buffy.  Young :  like  winter 
Fig.  122.  adults  but  still  more  buffy ;  feathers  of  upper  parts 


106  SURF  BIRDS  AND   TURNSTONES 

strongly  tinged  with  buff.  Length  :  8.00-9.10,  wing  6,  bill  .80-.90,  tarsus 
1.50-1.60. 

Distribution.  —  Western  United  States,  breeding  from  Texas  to  Dakota 
and  Montana  ;  west,  mainly  in  winter,  to  California  and  south  to  Lower 
California  and  San  Luis  Potosi,  Mexico ;  accidental  in  Florida. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  the  prairie  lined  sparingly  with  leaves  and 
grass.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  cream  color  to  light  olive,  spotted  with  purplish 
gray,  dark  brown,  and  black. 

Totally  disregarding  its  name,  the  mountain  plover  inhabits  the 
high  arid  plains,  breeding  in  considerable  abundance  from  the  Staked 
Plains  of  Texas  to  Montana,  and  in  Colorado  up  to  8000  feet.  It  is  a 
quiet  bird,  lacking  the  sharp  markings  and  vocif erousness  of  the  kill- 
deer.  Instead  of  haunting  the  ponds  and  meadows,  it  spends  its  time 
picking  up  grasshoppers  and  other  small  insects  from  the  short  prairie 
grass. 

Grinnell  reports  it  a  common  winter  visitor  in  Los  Angeles  County, 
California.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

FAMILY   APHRIZIDJE:    SURF   BIRDS   AND   TURN- 
STONES. 

KEY   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Bill  stout,  with  rounded  tip ;  tail  slightly  emarginate.  Aphriza,  p.  106. 
1'.  Bill  with  sharp  tip  inclined  upward ;  tail  slightly  rounded. 

Arenaria,  p.  106. 

QENUS  APHKIZA. 

282.  Aphriza  virgata  (GmeL).    SURF  BIRD. 

Base  of  tail,  upper  coverts,  and  a  broad  bar  on  wing  white.  Adults  in 
summer:  upper  parts,  head,  neck,  and  chest,  slaty  gray,  specked  and  streaked 

with  whitish,  and  spotted  on  scapulars 
with  rufous;  belly  white,  specked  with 
dusky.  Adults  in  winter:  like  summer 
adults,  but  with  upper  parts,  head,  and 
neck  plain  dusky  or  slaty  gray.  Young : 

back  brownish  gray,  feathers  edged  with  white ;  throat  and  breast  white, 
streaked  with  dusky.     Length:  10,  wing  7,  bill  .95-1.00,  tarsus  1.20-1.25. 
Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  America  from  Alaska  to  Chile. 

The  surf  bird  has  never  been  found  in  abundance,  and  its  breeding 
grounds  are  unknown. 

GENUS    ARENARIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  short  and  sharp,  with  the  tip  inclined  up- 
wards ;  toes  unwebbed ;  lower  back  and  base  of  tail  white ;  rump  white, 
with  black  patch. 

KEY  TO  SPECIES. 

1.  Throat  white morinella,  107. 

1'.  Throat  black melanocephala,  107. 


OYSTER-CATCHERS 


107 


283.1.  Arenaria  morinella  (Linn.).    RUDDY  TURNSTONE. 

Adults.  —  Throat  and  belly  white,  chest  crossed  by  a  broad  black  band  ; 
back  coarsely  mottled  with  rufous  and  black;  head  variously  streaked. 
Young :  similar  to  adult  but  duller,  without  rufous  on  back,  and  with  the 
chest  band  mottled  dusky  gray.  Length :  9.00-9.90,  wing  6.00,  bill  .80-.90, 
tarsus  1. 

Distribution.  —  Arctic  America,  breeding  from  the  Mackenzie  River  east- 
ward ;  south  in  migration,  chiefly  coastwise,  to  Patagonia  and  the  Falkland 
Islands.  Rare  in  the  interior  and  on  the  Pacific  coast. 

Nest .  —  A  slight  depression  in  ground  lined  with  grass  and  leaves. 
Eggs :  usually  4,  grayish  olive,  spotted  with  dark  brown. 

284.  Arenaria  melanocephala  (Vig.).    BLACK  TURNSTONE. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Crown  and  upper  back  black,  with  greenish  bronzy 
gloss;  rest  of  head,  neck,  throat,  and  chest 
black,   spotted   on   forehead    and    sides   with 
white ;  a  white  spot  in  front  of  eye  ;  belly  and 
sides  white.   Adults  in  winter :  similar,  but  with 
head,  neck,  and  chest  unspotted,  sooty  black. 
Young :  head  more  grayish  than  in  winter  adults 
and  feathers  of  back  edged  with  buffy.    Length: 
9,  wing  5.80-6.10,  bill  .85-1.00,  tarsus  1.00-1.10. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  North  America 
from  Point  Barrow  to   Santa   Margarita  Island, 
Fig.  125.    Winter  Plumage.    Lower  California ;  breeding  from  British  Colum- 
bia northward. 
Nest  and  eggs  as  in  morinella. 

FAMILY  ELSSMATOFODID^E :    OYSTER-CATCHERS. 

GENUS   HJEMATOPUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  straight  and  flattened,  chisel-shaped  ;  bright 
red  in  adult,  brownish  in  young ;  feet  and  legs  short  and  stout,  red  ;  tail 
square  across  end. 

KEY   TO  SPECIES. 

1.  Belly  and  base  of  tail  white frazari,  p.  107. 

1'.  Belly  and  whole  plumage  blackish bachmaiii,  p.  107. 

286.1.  Hsematopus  frazari  Brewst.    FRAZAR  OYSTER-CATCHER. 

Adults.  —  Head  and  neck  greenish  black  ;  back  rich  dark  brown  ;  tail  and 
wing  quills  brownish  black ;  under  parts,  base  of  tail,  and  patch  on  wing, 
white.  Length:  17-21,  wing  9.75-10.27,  bill  2.99-3.05,  tarsus  2.18-2.30. 

Distribution.  —  Coasts  of  southern  and  Lower  California,  north  to  Ven- 
tura County.- 

The  white-bellied  oyster-catchers  reported  from  southern  Califor- 
nia are  assumed  to  be  frazari  instead  oipalliatus  of  the  Atlantic  coast. 
287.  Haematopus  bachmani  And.  BLACK  OYSTER-CATCHER. 

Adults.  —  Head  and  neck  dull  bluish  black ;  rest  of  plumage  brown- 
ish black.  Young:  duller, 
more  brownish.    Length : 
17.00-17.50,  wing 
9.60-10.75,       bill 
2.50-2.95,    tarsus 
Fig.  126.  1.85-2.25.  Fig.  127. 


108  JACANAS 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  of  North  America  from  the  Aleutian  Islands 
to  La  Paz,  Lower  California,  and  the  Kurile  Islands ;  breeding  throughout 
most  of  its  range. 

Eggs.  —  1  to  3,  laid  on  the  bare  rock,  sand,  or  gravel ;  light  buff  or  olive, 
spotted  with  brownish  black  and  purplish  gray. 

Mr.  Loomis  has  taken  black  oyster-catchers  on  the  Seal  Rocks  at 
Monterey  in  July.  They  are  said  to  be  strictly  littoral  in  their  habits, 
always  flying  over  the  sea  when  moving  from  point  to  point. 

FAMILY  JACANIDJB:    JACANAS. 

GENUS   JACANA. 

[288.]  Jacana  spinosa  (Linn.).    MEXICAN  JACANA. 

Toes  very  long  and  slender,  hind  claw  straight  and  longer  than  toe  ; 
bend  of  wing  armed  with  a  sharp  spur  ;  forehead  covered  by  a  leaf-like 
scale  from  base  of  bill.  Adults :  head  and  neck  greenish  black ;  wing 
quills  yellowish  green  edged  or  tipped  with  dusky  ;  rest  of  plumage  rich 
purplish  chestnut.  Young :  with  only  a  rudiment  of  frontal  leaf  ;  back 
olive  gray,  back  of  neck  black  ;  rump  brown  ;  under  parts  and  stripe  on 
side  of  head  white.  Length :  8.50,  wing  4.50-5.40,  bill  1.15-1.40,  tarsus 
1.90-2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Middle  America  from  southern  Texas  to  Colombia ; 
Cuba;  Hayti. 


LAND   BIRDS. 
KEY  TO  FAMILIES. 

ORDER  GALLING  :  GROUSE,  QUAIL,  TURKEYS, 
PHEASANTS,  ETC. 

1.  Hind  toe  short,  raised  above  level  of  front  ones. 

2.  Leg  with  spur,  head  naked  or  tail  vaulted,  plumage 
largely  metallic Phasianidae : 

C  Turkeys  and  Pheasants,  p.  134. 

2.'  Leg  without  spur,  head   feathered,  tail   not   vaulted, 

plumage  not  metallic Tetraonidae  : 

Grouse,  Partridges,  Quails,  etc.,  p,  113. 

Fig.  128. 

1'.  Hind  toe  long,  on  a  level  with  front  ones Cracidae  : 

Currassows  and  Guans,  p.  187. 


ORDER   COLUMB^E:   PIGEONS   OR   DOVES. 

Bill  slender,  nostril  opening  in  soft  fleshy  skin  or  membrane. 
3  Columbidse  :  Pigeons,  p.  138. 

Fig.  129. 


KEY  TO   FAMILIES  OF  LAND  BIRDS 


109 


ORDER  RAPTORES:  VULTURES,  EAGLES, 
.  HAWKS,  OWLS,  ETC. 


1.   Head   naked,    feet  not  suited   for 

grasping.     .     .     Cathartidae  : 

Vultures,  p.  144. 

1'.  Head  feathered,  feet  especially 
adapted  for  grasping. 


Fig.  130. 


/-^"O^       \ 
£giSi»-  \ 


2.  Eyes  not  surrounded  by  striking 
discs  of  radiating  feathers. 

VFalconidae:  Falcons, 
Kites,  Hawks,  Eagles, 
etc.,  p.  146.      Fig.  133. 


Fig.  132. 


Fig  135. 


2'.  Eyes  surrounded  by  striking  discs 
of  radiating  feathers. 


3.  Inner   edge   of    middle    claw 

toothed  .     .     .    Strigidee : 

Barn  Owls,  p.  173. 

3'.  Inner  edge  of  middle  claw  not 

toothed  .     .    Bubonidae : 

Horned  Owls,  etc., 

p.  175. 


Fig.  136. 


ORDER   PSITTACI:   PARROTS. 


Toes  4,  2  in  front,  2  behind  ;  outer  toe  perma- 

nently reversed  .....    Fsittacidae  : 

Parrots,  p.  192. 


ORDER  COCCYGES  :  CUCKOOS, 
TROGONS,  KINGFISHERS, 
ETC. 


Fig.  137. 


1.  Toes  4,  3  pointing  forward,  1  back     Alcedinidae  : 

Kingfishers,  p.  198. 


1'.  Toes  4,  2  pointing  forward,  2  back. 


Fig.  139. 


110  KEY  TO  FAMILIES  OF  LAND  BIRDS 


P""~,       2.  Bill  long,  cutting  edges  smooth     .     Cuculidae  : 


±       Z.  liill  long, 

3  Road-runners,  Cuckoos,  etc.,  p.  193. 

Fig.  140. 

2.'  Bill  short,  cutting  edge  toothed.      Trogonidae  : 

Trogons,  p.  197. 

ORDER   PICI:   WOODPECKERS. 


Toes  3  or  4,  only  2  in  front ; 
bill  chisel-like  ;  tail  fea- 
thers stiff  and  pointed. 

Ficidae : 
Woodpeckers,  p.  200. 

_  Fig.  143.  Fig.  144. 

Fig.  142. 

ORDER   MACROCHIRES:   GOATSUCKERS, 
SWIFTS,  AND   HUMMINGBIRDS. 

1.  Bill  long  and  slender,  gape  not  deeply  cleft.    Trochilidae  : 

Hummingbirds,  p.  232. 

1'.  Bill  short,  wide  at  base,  gape  deeply  cleft. 

Fig.  146. 

2.  Plumage  moth-like,  lax  ;  middle  toe  long,  and 
inner  edge  toothed      .     Caprimulgidae  : 

Goatsuckers,  p.  222.     Fig.  147. 

2'.  Plumage   compact,  middle   toe   normal,   not     , 

toothed Micropodidae :  ^ 

Swifts,  p.  229. 

Fig.  148. 

ORDER  PASSERES:   PERCHING  BIRDS.1 


Toes  4,  3  pointing  forward,  1  back  ;     ^^  all  on  the  same  level  and 

never  united  for  half  their  length,  '"fe^^s* 

Fig.  149. 

1.  Inner  toe  with  basal  phalanx  united  to  that  of  middle  toe. 

Cotingidae  :  Cotingas,  p.  245. 

1'.  Inner  toe  with  basal  phalanx  not  united  to  that  of  middle  toe. 
2.  Back  of  tarsus  rounded. 

3.  Hind  claw  longer  than  its  toe   and  straight; 

p.  265. 


4  bill  rounded,  not  hooked  at  tip. 

i  >  Alaudidce  :  Larks, 


Fig.  160.          Fig.  151. 

1  See  Field  Color  Key,  p.  479. 


KEY  TO   FAMILIES   OF  LAND  BIRDS 


111 


O3'.  Hind  claw  shorter  than  its  toe  and  curved ;  bill 
flat,  wider  than  high,  slightly  hooked  at  tip. 
Tyrannidae  :  Flycatchers,  p.  245. 
Fig.  152. 
2'.  Back  of  tarsus  sharp-edged. 

3.  Primaries   apparently   only   9,  the   first    being 
only  a  rudiment ;  bill  not  notched  at  tip. 


Fig.  153. 


Fig.  163.  Fig.  164. 


4.  Outer  primary  twice  as  long  as  innermost. 
Hirundinidee  :    Swallows,  p.  382. 

4'.  Outer  primary  not  twice  as  long  as  inner- 
most. 
5.  Bill  slender  and  thin  at  base. 


6.  Hind  claw  as  long  as  or  longer  than 
its  toe  .     .     .     .     Motacillidae : 
Wagtails  and  Pipits,  p.  431. 

6'.  Hind  claw  shorter  than  its  toe. 

Mniotiltidae : 
Wood  Warblers,  p.  401. 


Fig.  157. 

5.  Bill  short  and  thick  or  long  and  thick 

at  base. 

6.  Bill  notched  at  tip  and  with  bristles 
at  gape. 


7    Nostril    concealed   or    overhung, 

or  else  cutting  edge   of   lower 

mandible     forming    a    distinct 

angle      .     .     .     Fringillidae : 

Finches,  Sparrows, 

etc.,  p.  303. 


7'.  Nostril  exposed,  cutting  edges  of 
lower  mandible  without  dis- 
tinct angle  ;  males  with  more  or 
less  red,  females  greenish  and 
yellowish  .  .  Tan  a  grid  as  : 
Tanagers),  p.  379. 


6  .  Bill  without  notch  at  tip  and  with- 
out bristles  at  base. 
7.  Bill   wider    than    high    at  base; 
plumage  greenish,  speckled. 

Sturnidae : 
Starlings,  p.  285. 


112 


KEY   TO   FAMILIES  OF  LAND   BIRDS 


Fig.  167. 


7'.  Bill   not    wider   than    high    at 

base  ;  plumage  largely  black 

or  yellow  .     .     .    Icteridae : 

Blackbirds,  Orioles, 

etc.,  p.  285. 


Tig.  166. 


3'.  Primaries  obviously  10  or  else  notched  at  tip. 


4.  First  primary  more  than  half 
as  long  as  second. 


Fig.  168. 


5.  Bill  hooked  at  tip  . 


.    .     Laniidae : 
Shrikes,  p.  391. 


Fig.  169. 


p.  452. 


5'.  Bill  not  hooked  at  tip. 

6.  Nasal  feathers  erect  or  inclined  back- 
ward   (except    Genus    Oroscoptes,  in 
Fig.  170.         which  the  first  primary  is  not  half  as 
long  as  second)    .  Troglodytidae : 
Wrens,  Thrashers,  Mocking- 
birds, and  Catbirds,  p.  433. 
6'.  Nasal  feathers  pointing  forward  over 
bill. 

7.  Large  ;  wing  more  than  4. 
-~^___     ~^|^5u  Corvidae  :  Crows,  Jays, 

Magpies,  etc.,  p.  269. 

Fig.  171. 

"TT^  7'.  Small,  wing  less  than  2.  Paridae  : 
Nuthatches  and  Tits    (Genus 

Chamcea :   Wren-tits), 
Fig.  172. 

4'.  First  primary  not 
more  than  half  _ 
as  long  as  sec- 
ond. 

5.  Tarsus  not  divided  into 
plates      except     near 

toe8'  Fig.  174. 

6.  Tail  abnormally  short ;  plumage  slate 
gray.  Cinclidae :  Dippers,  p.  432. 
6'.  Tail  normally  long ;  plumage  green 

or  brown. 

7.  Small,  wing  less  than  2.50;  plum- 
age greenish,  Sylviidae :  King- 
lets, Gnatcatchers,  etc. 
( Genus  Regulus  :  Kinglets) ,  p.  463. 
T.  Large :  wing  more  than  3 ;  plum- 
age brown  or  grayish. 
Turdidae  :  Thrushes,  p.  467. 


Fig.  173. 


GROUSE,   PARTRIDGES,   QUAILS,  ETC.  113 

5'.  Tarsus      divided       into 
plates. 

Fig.  175. 

6.  Bill  slightly  hooked  or  notched  at  tip. 
*.  Small ;  wing  1.90-2.20. 

8.  Upper  parts  greenish  or  grayish  ; 
tail  even.          Vireonidae : 
Fig.  177.  Vireos,P.394. 

8'.  Upper  parts  bluish ;  tail  gradu- 
£^S^  ?ted  S7lviidae  :  Kinglets, 
4<^H§p  Gnatcatchers,  etc. 

v.     ._„  (Genus  Polioptila •:  Gnat- 

*lg'178-  capers),  p.  463. 

7'.  Large  :  length  6.50  to  9. 

8.  Head  crested     .     Ampelidas : 
Waxwings  and 
Phainopeplas,  p.  387. 
8'.  Head  not  crested. 

Troglodytidae  :  Wrens, 
Thrashers,  etc. 
(Genus  Oroscoptes :  Sage 

Fig.  179.  Thrashers,  p.  433. 

6'.  Bill  not  hooked  at  tip. 

7.  Tail  feathers  stiff,  pointed  at  tip. 
Certhiidae  :  Creepers,  p.  451. 

7'.  Tail  feathers  normal  (except  Genus 
Chamcea,  in  which  the  first  pri- 
mary is  more  than  half  as  long  as 

second) Paridae : 

Fig  183.  Nuthatches  and  Tits,  p.  452. 

ORDER  GALLING:  GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS. 
(FAMILIES  TETRAONIDJE,  PHASIANID^E,  AND  CRACID^E.) 

FAMILY   TETRAONIDJE:  GROUSE,   PARTRIDGES. 
QUAILS,  ETC. 

KEY   TO    GENERA. 

1.  Legs  feathered  down  to  base  of  toes. 


2.  Tail  feathers  narrow  and  pointed. 

Centrocercus,  p.  133. 

2'.  Tail  feathers  broad  and  rounded. 

3.  Sides  of  neck  with  tiift  of  feathers. 
Fig.  184.  Tympanuchus,  p.  129. 


114  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

3'.  Sides  of  neck  without  tuft  of  feathers. 

4.  Tail  strikingly  graduated,  middle,  feathers 
much  the  longest. 

Fedicecetes,  p.  131. 

Fig.  185.  4'.  Tail  not  strikingly  graduated,  middle  feath- 

ers not  much  the  longest. 

5.  Toes  feathered    .  .    Lagopus,  p.  128. 


Fig.  186. 


Fig.  188. 


5'.  Toes  naked. 


6.  Tail  of  20  feathers. 

Fig.  187.  Dendragapus,  p.  124. 

6.'  Tail  of  16  feathers. 

Canachites,  126. 
1'.  Legs  not  feathered  down  to  base  of  toes. 


2.  Neck  with  two  blackish  or  brownish  ruffs. 

Bonasa,  p.  127. 

2'.  Neck  without  ruffs. 


3.  Tail  much  less  than  half  as  long  as  wing ; 
claws  long    ....     Cyrtonyx,  p.  122. 


Fig.  189. 


Fig.  190. 


3'.  Tail  more  than  half  as  long  as  wing ;  claws 
moderate. 

4.  Head  not  crested  .     .     .     Coliiius,  p.  114. 
4'.  Head  with  crest. 

5.  Crest  blended  with  feathers  of  crown. 

Callipepla,  p.  118. 

5'.  Crest  distinct  from  feathers  of  crown. 
6.  Crest  long  and  straight  (2-3  inches). 
Oreortyx,  p.  117. 

6'.  Crest    upright,    recurved     and    club- 
shaped  (about  1  inch). 

Lophortyx,  p.  119. 
GENUS    COLINUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Feathers  of  crown  lengthened  and  erectile,  but 
not  forming  a  distinct  crest ;  tail  about  three  fifths  as  long  as  wing  ;  wing 
less  than  five  inches  ;  plumage  of  upper  parts  spotted  and  barred. 

KEY   TO   ADULT  MALES. 

1.  Throat  black ridgwayi,  p.  116. 

1  .  Throat  white. 

2.  Under  parts  lightly  and  irregularly  barred     .     virginianus,  p.  115. 

2'.  Under  parts  heavily  and  closely  barred      ....  texanus,  p.  116. 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  115 

KEY  TO   ADULT   FEMALE    COLINUS. 

1.  Under  parts  narrowly  barred  with  black  .     .     .     virginianus,  p.  115. 
1'.  Under  parts  broadly  barred  with  black. 

2.  Belly   more   heavily   barred,   cinnamon    chest    band    usually   more 

marked ridgwayi,  p.  116. 

2'.  Belly  less  heavily  barred ;  cinnamon  chest  band  usually  less  marked. 

texanus.  p.  116. 

289.  Colinus  virginianus  (Linn.).    BOB-WHITE. 

Adult  male.  —  Line  through  eye  white ;  throat  white,  bordered  below 
by  black  ;  rest  of  under  parts  buffy  or  brown- 
ish —  reddish  brown  on  sides  —  narrowly  barred 
with  black ;  upper  parts  reddish  brown  and 
black  ;  scapulars,  tertials,  and  lower  back  strik- 
ingly blotched  with  black.  Adult  female :  like  Fi&- 191- 
male,  but  black  of  head  replaced  by  brown,  and  white  by  buffy.  Young  : 
upper  parts  rusty,  more  or  less  spotted  with  black,  and  feathers  with  white 
shaft  streaks  widening  at  tip  ;  breast  grayish  or  brownish,  streaked  with 
white ;  throat  and  belly  whitish.  Length :  9.50-10.75,  wing  4.55,  tail  2.70, 
bill  .59. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  in  east- 
ern United  States,  and  spreading  from  Nebraska  and  Texas  westward ; 
also  since  introduction,  in  Colorado,  New  Mexico,  Utah,  Idaho,  California, 
Oregon,  and  Washington. 

Nest. — A  saucer-shaped  excavation  in  the  ground,  sometimes  domed, 
but  usually  sheltered  by  bushes  or  weeds,  and  lined  with  dry  grass  or  stub- 
ble. Eggs :  12  to  18,  dull  white. 

Food.  —  Insects,  grain,  weed  seed,  beechnuts,  and  wild  berries. 

No  picture  of  early  spring  among  the  farms,  with  the  fields  of  dry 
cornstalks  and  the  smoky,  budding  wood-lots,  marked  off  by  rail 
fences,  is  complete  without  an  occasional  stiff  whirr  of  wings  in  the 
brush,  a  scudding  of  quick  feet  in  the  rustling  leaves,  and  the  distant 
clear  whistle,  bob-white. 

The  quail  are  in  pairs  now,  and  unless  near  enough  together  for 
their  low  conversational  quit,  quirk,  queet,  are  sure  to  be  calling  back 
and  forth  in  loud  whistles  from  the  fence  tops,  the  stone  piles,  or 
low  branches  of  trees.  A  little  later  the  calling  is  hushed  and  the 
male  may  be  seen  hurrying  about  alone,  or  the  two  running  mys- 
teriously under  the  bushes  ;  and  still  later  there  is  a  flock  of  little 
brown  fluffy  chicks  to  be  led  and  guarded.  By  themselves  they 
are  a  quiet,  happy  family,  but  when  an  intruder  appears,  all  is  excite- 
ment and  confusion.  There  are  two  sputtering,  fluttering,  scolding 
old  birds  trying  to  lure  or  scare  you  away  in  several  directions  at 
once,  and  there  is  a  scurrying  flock  of  chicks,  under  your  feet  one 
moment,  gone  the  next.  They  take  to  their  heels  now,  but  in  a 
short  time  their  quills  sprout,  and  then  when  disturbed  they  take  to 
wing  like  a  lot  of  bumblebees. 

As  the  summer  passes  the  broods  often  join  in  larger  flocks,  and 
when  they  get  scattered  the  call -whistle,  bob-white,  is  heard  again 


116  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

about  the  farm.  But  dog  and  hunter  are  now  abroad,  and  the  quiet, 
happy  days  of  the  quail  are  over.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

289b.  C.  V.  texanus  (Lawr.).  TEXAN  BOB-WHITE. 
Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  C.  virginianus,  but  upper  parts  mainly  brown 
rather  than  reddish  brown,  with  distinct 
whitish  barrings  and  with  less  striking1  black 
blotches  on  scapulars,  tertials,  and  lower 
back  ;  under  parts  more  heavily  and  thickly 
barred  with  brown,  and  usually  with  broader 
and  more  distinct  band  of  pinkish  brown 

below  black  collar.  Adult  female  :  like  male,  but  without  striking  black 
or  white  markings ;  upper  parts  mixed  black,  white,  and  brown,  from 
buffy  brown  to  rufous  ;  throat  patch  and  superciliary  tawny  ;  flanks  less 
deeply  rufous ;  median  under  parts  less  heavily  barred  than  in  male,  but 
more  heavily  barred  than  in  the  female  virginianus.  Young :  browner 
than  in  virginianus.  Wing :  4.39,  tail  2.44,  bill  .59. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones,  from  west- 
ern Kansas  south  through  Texas  to  eastern  Nuevo  Leon  and  Central 
Tamaulipas,  Mexico. 

Nest,  eggs,  and  food  like  those  of  the  bob-white. 

The  Texan  bob-white  is  equally  at  home  in  the  thorny  thickets  of 
southern  Texas  and  in  the  brushy  creek  bottoms  of  western  Kansas. 
At  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Mr.  Attwater  says  the  quail  often  come  close 
to  his  ranch  and  lay  eggs  in  hens'  nests,  perhaps  on  account  of  the 
protection  afforded  against  snakes. 

Except  for  the  paler  coloration  so  common  in  the  more  open  and 
arid  regions,  the  Texan  is  a  true  bob-white,  and  for  habits  and  voice 
might  have  been  bred  in  Ohio. 

291.  Colinus  ridgwayi  Brewst.     MASKED  BOB- WHITE. 

Adult  male.  —  Face  and  throat  black,  under  parts  reddish  brown  ;  upper 
parts  finely  mottled  with  cinnamon  brown,  black, 
and  buff  ;  back  of  neck  finely  streaked  with  white, 
Adult  female  :  like  the  female  of  C.  v.  texanus,  but 
usually  with  a  more  marked  chest  band  and 
Fie  193  heavier  barring  on  belly.  Wing :  4.49,  tail  2.81, 

Dill  .00. 

Distribution.  —  Southwestern  Arizona  and  northwestern  Sonora. 
Nest.  —  By  one   record,    a  shallow  excavation  beside  a  tuft  of  grass. 
Eggs  :  6,  white,  unspotted. 

Food.  —  Red  ants,  grasshoppers,  beetles,  seeds,  leaves,  and  berries. 

The  masked  bob-white,  first  discovered  in  southern  Arizona  by 
Mr.  Herbert  Brown,  finds  congenial  cover  in  the  high  grass  of  the 
mesas  and  valleys,  disappearing  when  stock  destroy  the  grass.  Mr. 
Brown  describes  the  male  as  strikingly  handsome  when  the  sun  red- 
dens the  deep  chestnut  of  his  breast.  His  two  characteristic  notes 
are  the  family  bob-white,  given  in  bold  full  tones  from  the  top  of 
a  rock  or  bush,  and  a  'hoo-we,'  used  when  the  birds  are  scattered, 
especially  toward  nightfall. 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  117 

GENUS   OREORTYX. 

General  Characters.  —  Crest  of  two  long  slender  plumes  ;  bill  and  feet 
stout,  tarsus  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw ;  tail  about  three  fifths  the 
length  of  wing,  broad,  rounded,  with  long  coverts  ;  wing  five  inches  or 
more. 

KEY  TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Upper  parts  olive  brown  from  tail  to  crest     ....     pic t us,  p.  117. 
1'.  Upper  parts  grayish  olive,  bluish  gray  on  nape  .     plumif erus,  p.  117. 

292.  Oreortyx  pictus  (DougL).    MOUNTAIN  PARTRIDGE. 

Adult  male.  —  Crest  black  ;  upper  parts  deep  olive  brown,  usually  to  crest, 
top  of  head  bluish  gray,  stripes  on  sides  of  back  buffy  or  yellowish  brown, 
throat  and  flanks  deep  chestnut,  flanks  broadly  banded  with  black  and 
white ;  breast  plain  bluish  slate.  (See  Fig.  194.)  Adult  female :  crest 
usually  shorter.  Young :  crest  blackish,  barred  at  end  with  pale  brown, 
breast  gray,  marked  with  triangular  spots,  throat  and  belly  whitish  ;  upper 
parts  grayish  brown,  specked  with  white.  Length :  10.50-11.50,  wing  5.25- 
5.40. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  mainly  in  humid  Transition  zone  of  Pacific 
coast  region,  from  Santa  Barbara,  California,  north  to  Washington. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  alongside  or  under  an  old  log,  bush,  or  other 
shelter.  Eggs  :  usually  8  to  12,  creamy  or  creamy  buff,  unspotted. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  beetles,  ants,  and  other  insects,  berries,  seeds, 
buds,  and  leaves. 

Though  0.  p.  plumiferus  has  been  given  the  name  plumed  par- 
tridge to  distinguish  it  from  0.  pictus  of  the  humid  belt,  both  birds 
are  known  locally  as  mountain  quail,  and  their  habits  are  practically 
identical. 

292a.  O.  p.  plumiferus  (Gould).    PLUMED  PARTRIDGE. 

Like  O.  pictus,  but  upper  parts  olive,  the  hind  neck  usually  partly  or 
wholly   bluish   slate   like   the    breast ; 
forehead  generally  paler,  often  whitish, 
inner  edge  of  tertials  lighter  buff  or 
buffy  whitish. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  arid  Tran- 
sition zone  from  the  west  side  of  the  Fig.  194. 
Cascades  in  northern  Oregon,  —  except 
near  the  coast,  —  south  along  both  sides  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  in  the 
southern  coast  ranges  to  northern  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  hollow  in  the  ground  lined  with  a  few  dry  leaves,  pine 
needles,  and  grasses,  under  shelter  of  thickets,  bushes,  weeds,  or  fallen 
treetops.  Eggs  :  8  to  14,  cream  to  reddish  buff. 

In  winter  when  there  are  heavy  snows  on  the  mountains,  the 
quail  come  down  to  the  foothills,  and  have  even  been  seen  in  Pasa- 
dena, three  miles  from  the  base  of  the  mountains.  In  summer  they 
are  most  abundant  in  the  dense  chaparral  of  Transition  zone, 
though  they  go  much  higher. 

Only  once  during  two  months  spent  in  the  Sierra,  in  the  heart 
of  the  plumed  quail  country,  did  I  come  face  to  face  with  one  of 


118  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

these  handsome  birds.  It  stood,  marvelous  to  relate,  upon  a  fence- 
post  by  the  road,  and,  as  we  passed,  its  long  plume  and  rich  banded 
sides  stood  out  more  clearly  than  in  a  museum  show-case.  Even 
that  exhibition,  though  it  had  such  a  casual  air,  we  more  than  sus- 
pected was  to  hold  our  attention  while  a  surprised  family  got  to 
cover.  But  though  plumiferus  vouchsafed  us  so  little  of  its  society, 
the  mountains  seemed  alive  with  its  fleeing  broods.  In  July  the 
young  changed  from  balls  of  down  with  brown  stripes  along  their 
backs  to  well-feathered  chicks,  who  essayed  to  fly  with  the  best  of 
their  elders.  Twenty-one  of  these  stubby-crested  fledgelings  started 
up  and  trained  across  the  road  almost  under  our  horses'  noses  one 
day  by  Donner  Lake,  with  only  two  old  birds  in  evidence,  but  these 
were  probably  joint  mothers  of  the  flock.  From  Donner  to  the 
Yosemite  a  glimpse  of  dark  whirring  forms  vanishing  through  the 
trees  was  so  common  that  at  night  we  often  asked  ourselves,  "  How 
many  broods  have  we  seen  to-day  ?  "  The  clear  pipe,  and  the  hur- 
ried warning  of  the  old  guardian,  kah,  kah,  kah,  there's  danger ne'ar, 
there 's  danger  ne'ar,  the  low  conversational  notes  of  a  family  when 
undisturbed,  and  the  motherly  cluck  and  soft  quieting  talk  of  the 
old  bird  to  her  brood  were  so  often  in  our  ears  that  now,  as  we  look 
back,  they  give  life  and  richness  to  the  memory  of  the  majestic 
Sierra  forest. 

GENUS    CALLIPEPLA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  more  than  two  thirds  as  long  as  wing ;  bill 
small  and  weak ;  crest  short  and  not  distinctly  separated  from  feathering 
of  crown ;  sexes  essentially  alike. 

KEY   TO  ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Belly  buffy squamata,  p.  118. 

1'.  Belly  with  chestnut  patch castanogastris,  p.  119. 

293.  Callipepla  squamata  (Vig.).    SCALED  PARTRIDGE. 

Adults.  —  Plumage  pale,  bluish  gray  and  dull  brownish ;  head  and 
short,  full  crest  fawn-colored,  crest  tipped  with  white  ;  most  of  under  parts 
and  foreparts  of  back  appearing  scaled  ;  bluish  gray  of  anterior  under  parts 
changing  to  buffy  on  belly,  sides  dark  gray  streaked  with  white  ;  posterior 
upper  parts  plain  bluish  gray,  with  conspicuous  white  stripe  on  each  side 
of  back.  Young  :  upper  parts  marked  with  black  bars  and  white  mesial 
streaks  ending  in  triangular  spots  at  tips  of  feathers  ;  breast  brownish, 
with  white  triangular  streaks,  sides  barred  with  brown.  Length  :  9.50- 
12.00,  wing  4.50-5.00,  tail  about  4.10-4.50. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  Ari- 
zona to  western  Texas  and  south  to  valley  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  often  under  shelter  of  a  yucca  or  low  bush,  some- 
times in  grain-field  or  meadow.  Eggs :  9  to  16,  white  to  buff,  uniformly 
spotted  with  buffy  to  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Small  beetles,  ants,  grasshoppers,  and  small  seeds,  grain,  ber- 
ries, and  plant  tops. 


SCALED    QUAIL 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  119 

The  scaled  quail  live  in  the  arid  belt  of  scrub  oak,  chaparral, 
and  mesquite  extending  from  western  Texas  and  New  Mexico  across 
southern  Arizona.  Dry  washes  and  gulches  in  the  foothills  seem 
to  be  their  favorite  haunts,  but  they  maybe  found  almost  anywhere 
not  too  far  from  water,  even  in  valleys  and  out  on  open  plains  with 
only  scattered  brush  and  cactus  for  cover. 

As  the  bluish  gray  birds  run  from  you  over  the  gray  ground, 
dodging  this  way  and  that  among  the  bushes,  the  most  conspicuous 
thing  about  them  is  the  white  tuft  of  their  crest,  and  from  its  sug- 
gestion of  the  cottontail  they  have  been  well  dubbed  cottontops. 
Perhaps  because  they  are  so  protectively  colored  they  usually  trust 
to  their  feet  to  carry  them  out  of  harm's  way,  rarely  taking  flight 
unless  hard  pressed.  But  when  a  flock  does  scatter,  the  birds  are 
astonishingly  hard  to  find,  though  but  a  few  yards  away. 

While  shy  in  some  places,  they  seem  to  be  naturally  rather  trust- 
ful, and  one  of  the  most  vivid  mental  pictures  one  carries  away 
from  their  country  is  of  a  flock  of  the  trim,  delicately  tinted  quail 
standing  together  among  the  bushes,  looking  up  out  of  their  mild 
brown  eyes  with  quiet  interest  and  curiosity. 

Though  met  with  so  commonly,  the  quail  are  more  often  heard 
than  seen.  In  the  Pecos  River  country,  where  the  rare  blue  sky 
comes  low  to  the  chaparral  on  the  level  plain,  from  the  sun-filled 
brush  day  after  day  rings  their  companionable  pe-cos' ',  pe-cos'.  The 
note,  though  sadly  nasal,  soon  falls  on  the  ear  as  one  of  the  most 
musical  of  desert  sounds,  for  like  the  smell  of  the  sagebrush  and 
larrea  it  carries  the  charm  of  the  big  open  plains. 

29 3a.  C.  s.  castanogastris  Brewst.  CHESTNUT-BELLIED  SCALED 
PARTRIDGE. 

Like  the  scaled  partridge,  but  upper  parts  browner,  under  parts  deeper 
buffy  or  more  rusty  brown,  belly  with  a  brown  patch  in  the  male,  some- 
times indicated  in  the  female. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  Eagle  Pass  through 
the  lower  Rio  Grande  valley  in  Texas  to  Coahuila  and  Nuevo  Leon, 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Usually  a  hollow  in  the  sand,  under  shelter  of  a  clump  of 
weeds,  grass,  or  prickly  pear,  slightly  lined  with  dry  grass.  Eggs :  about 
15,  white  to  buffy,  distinctly  and  uniformly  spotted. 

GENUS   LOPHORTYX. 

General  Characters.  —  Crest  distinct  from  feathers  of  crown,  narrow  at 
base,  and  recurved,  the  feathers  inclosed  between  the  more  or  less  ap- 
pressed  webs  of  the  anterior  plume  ;  tarsus  slightly  shorter  than  middle 
toe ;  wing  four  inches  or  more  ;  tail  about  four  fifths  as  long  as  wing ; 
sexes  different. 


120  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

KEY  TO  ADULT  MALE  LOPHORTYX. 

1.  Back  of  head  and  flanks  rufous gambelii,  p.  121. 

1'.  Back  of  head  and  flanks  olive  brown  or  gray. 

2.  Upper  parts  smoke  brown,  inner  webs  of  tertials  deep  buffy  or  ochra- 

ceous calif ornicus,  p.  120. 

2'.  Upper  parts  bluish  gray,  inner  webs  of  tertials  buffy  or  whitish. 

vallicola,  p.  120. 

KEY   TO  ADULT  FEMALE  LOPHORTY/X. 

1.  Belly  buffy,  not  scaled gambelii,  p.  121. 

1'.  Belly  not  buffy,  scaled. 

2.  Darker californicus,  p.  120. 

2'.  Lighter vallicola,  p.  120. 

294.  Lophortyx  californicus  (Shaw).    CALIFORNIA  PARTRIDGE. 

Adult  male.  —  Crest  black  ;  patch  on  back  of  head  olive  or  dark  brown, 
bordered  front  and  sides  by  black  and  white  lines  ;  upper  parts  deep  smoky 
brown,  with  deep  buffy  or  reddish  brown  stripes  along  sides  of  back ; 
throat  black,  bordered  by  white,  breast  bluish  gray ;  belly  scaled  except  for 
central  deep  chestnut  patch ;  flanks  dark  olivaceous  or  smoky  brown,  streaked 
with  white.  Adult  female:  head  without  black  or  white  markings;  gen- 
eral color  deep  smoky  brown  ;  belly  scaled,  without  chestnut  patch  or 
chestnut  on  sides  ;  sides  streaked  with  white.  Young  :  upper  parts  grayish 
brown,  feathers  of  back  and  wing  coverts  with  dusky  and  whitish  edgings  ; 
feathers  of  nape  with  faint  white  shaft  streaks  and  dusky  borders  ;  under 
parts  gray,  barred  with  whitish.  Length  :  9.50,  wing  4.35-4.70,  tail  4.10- 
4.70.  (See  Fig.  196,  p.  121.) 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  humid  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones 
along  Pacific  coast  region  from  Monterey  County,  California,  to  southern 
Oregon  and  northward.  Introduced  in  Washington  and  British  Columbia. 

Nest.  —  Usually  a  hollow  lightly  lined  with  grass  beside  a  rock,  under  a 
brush  pile  or  other  shelter.  Eggs:  generally  12  to  16,  white  or  buffy, 
irregularly  spotted  over  the  entire  surface. 

Food.  —  Largely  insects  and  weed  seed. 

The  California  partridge  is  the  counterpart  of  the  valley  quail  in 
habits  (see  294a). 

294a.  L.  C.  vallicola  (Ridgw.).     VALLEY  PARTRIDGE. 

Adults.  —  Like  californicus,  but  lighter  colored,  upper  parts  grayish 
brown,  edgings  of  tertials  buffy  or  whitish  ; 
flanks  olive  grayish  or  grayish  brown.  Young : 
chest  gray,  marked  with  triangular  white 
spots,  belly  faintly  barred  with  grayish ; 
Fig  195  Female  upper  parts  brownish,  streaked  and  spotted 

with  whitish. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  arid  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from 
Oregon  south  through  California  and  western  Nevada  to  Cape  St.  Lucas, 
Lower  California. 

When  you  come  down  the  sides  of  the  Sierra  from  the  yellow 
pines  into  the  digger  pines  and  oaks  of  the  Sonoran  zones  in  the 
breeding  season,  the  quail  that  fly  before  you  are  smaller  and  bluer 
than  the  mountain  quail  above,  and  the  flat  tone  of  their  quick  w?to> 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 


121 


Fig.  190.     Valley  Partridge. 


are-you-ah?  who-are-you-ali?  strikes  the  ear  as  a  subtle  expression  of 
the  difference  between  the  hot  low- 
lands and  the  cool  mountains.  The 
lowland  bird  has  two  forms  differ- 
ing slightly  in  color,  the  valley  quail 
occupying  the  arid  sections  and  the 
California  the  humid. 

The  brushy  parts  of  Golden  Gate 
Park  in  San  Francisco  abound  with 
quail,  and  from  the  benches  one  can 
watch  the  squads  of  plump  hen-like 
little  creatures  as  they  move  about 
with  stately  tread  or  stand  talking 
sociably  in  low  monosyllables.  If 
they  hear  a  footstep  on  the  walk  they 
start  up  and  hurry  across  the  path 
like  hens  before  a  wagon,  top- 
knots dropped  over  their  bills,  necks 
craned  forward,  and  legs  stretched  as  they  patter  along  in  double- 
quick  time.  When  less  in  a  hurry  they  run  in  a  stiff,  prim  way,  the 
cocks  with  a  dignified  gait,  the  hens  with  a  demure  feminine  air. 

Outside  the  parks,  when  the  flocks  are  feeding  the  old  quail  act 
as  sentries,  to  the  wrath  of  young  hunters,  who  complain  that  the 
cocks  '  tell  on  them '  ! 

As  the  country  becomes  settled,  the  former  hordes  of  quail  dis- 
appear, but  they  are  still  the  game-birds  of  southern  California,  the 
roads  are  still  patterned  with  their  footprints,  and  through  the  val- 
leys they  are  closely  associated  with  the  charm  of  the  mellow  Cali- 
fornia days,  their  melodious  who-are-you-ah  f  coming  from  the  hill- 
sides in  the  cool  mornings  when  the  high  fog  is  dissolving  into  blue 
sky,  coming  from  the  chaparral  in  the  warm  noonday  hours,  and 
echoing  softly  from  the  vineyards  through  the  quiet  golden  simsets. 

295.  Lophortyx  gambelii  Gamb.     GAMBEL  PARTRIDGE. 

Adult  male.  —  Crest  black,  forehead  and  throat  black,  bordered  by  white, 
crown  reddish  brown  ;  rest  of  upper  parts 
plain  bluish  gray,  terfcials  edged  with 
white  ;  breast  gray,  belly  with  buffy  and 
black  patches,  flanks  reddish  brown  streaked 
with  white.  Adult  female :  similar,  but 
without  striking  markings ;  head  plain 
brownish  gray  above,  buffy  streaked  with 
darker  on  throat ;  belly  uniform  buffy,  flanks 
chestnut.  Young :  chest  brownish  gray, 
streaked  with  white  ;  upper  parts  grayish 
brown,  minutely  mottled,  feathers  with 


Fig.  198.     Female. 


white  shaft  streaks  widening  at  tip  and  with  black  spot  on  either  side ; 


122  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

feathers  of  nape  without  dusky  borders  ;  belly  white,  unmarked.  Length : 
9.50-10.00,  wing  4.45-4.70,  tail  4.10-4.70. 

Remarks.  —  The  Gambel  partridge  may  be  distinguished  in  nearly  all 
plumages  by  its  belly  markings  —  the  male  by  the  black  patch  and  ab- 
sence of  scaling ;  the  female  by  chestnut  flanks  and  absence  of  scales  ; 
and  the  young  by  the  white,  wholly  unmarked  belly. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  western  Texas  to 
southeastern  California,  and  from  southern  Utah  and  Nevada  south  through 
central  Sonora,  Mexico. 

Nest .  —  A  slightly  lined  hollow  often  beside  a  bunch  of  tall  grass,  in 
freshet  drift,  or  occasionally  under  a  yucca.  Eggs :,  usually  10  to  12, 
white  to  buff,  irregularly  spotted,  blotched,  and  clouded  with  brown,  the 
blotches  with  a  pinkish  or  purplish  bloom. 

Food.  —  Insects,  especially  grasshoppers  and  ants ;  also  seeds,  grain, 
mesquite  beans,  berries,  and  tender  leaves  and  buds. 

The  breeding  season  comes  early  in  the  valleys  of  the  Gila  and 
lower  Colorado  rivers.  By  February  the  deserts  bloom,  the  aromatic 
creosote  bush  puts  on  its  yellow  robe,  the  big  crimson  and  yellow 
cactus  flowers,  the  fragrant  evening  primroses  open  wide,  and  yel- 
low tassels  dangle  from  the  mesquite.  In  the  balmy  spring  morning 
the  fjrst  sound  to  greet  your  ears  is  the  shrill  cha  chaa' ,  cha  chaa' ,  of 
the  cock  quail  from  his  perch  on  the  blooming  mesquite,  and  answer- 
ing calls  follow  from  up  and  down  the  valley.  When  the  sun  has 
risen  higher  you  find  the  quail  in  pairs,  hunting  among  the  bushes 
for  nesting-sites,  talking  in  low,  soft  tones,  the  cock  often  bowing 
and  strutting  with  important  airs  and  crest  low  over  his  bill.  When, 
after  much  careful  prospecting,  a  nest  spot  is  found  safe  from  floods, 
hidden  from  enemies,  and  within  daily  reach  of  water,  the  birds 
settle  down  to  home  duties ;  and  before  the  flowers  are  gone  may  be 
found  leading  about  families  of  striped-backed  chicks.  The  chicks 
must  be  guarded  from  a  host  of  enemies,  but  the  old  birds  are  wise 
guardians,  and  early  autumn  shows  large  flocks  of  plump,  nearly 
full-grown  quail,  always  on  the  alert,  quick  to  scatter,  but  sure  to 
reassemble,  calling  back  and  forth  in  small  piping  voices  till  the  last 
of  the  brood  is  in.  Later  in  the  season  the  families  collect  in  large 
flocks,  often  of  fifty  or  a  hundred,  and  scatter  in  the  daytime  to 
feed  in  the  open,  returning  at  night  with  a  roar  of  wings  to  roost  in 
some  dense  thicket  or  brushy  bottom-land,  huddled  together  in  a 
snug,  feathery  mass. 

To  the  pot-hunter  and  trapper  the  birds  are  easy  prey,  but  with 
proper  protection  they  increase  so  rapidly  as  to  be  in  no  danger  of 
extermination.  VEKNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS    CYRTONYX. 

296.    Cyrtonyx    montezumae    mearnsi  Nelson.     MEABNS 

QUAIL. 
Bill  very  stout ;  head  with  a  full  crest  of  soft,  blended,  depressed  feath- 


MEARNS   QUAIL 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  123 

era ;  tail  much  less  than  half  as  long  as  wing,  its  feathers  soft,  narrow  at 
tips,  and  hardly  distinguishable  from  coverts;  wing  coverts  and  inner 
quills  highly  developed,  folding  entirely  over  the  primaries ;  tarsus  and 
feet  heavy,  with  long  powerful  claws  ;  sexes  very  different.  Adult  male  : 
head  markings  black  and  white ;  tip  of  crest  fawn  color ;  back  pale 
brown,  barred,  vermiculated,  and  streaked  with  white  ;  under  parts  with 
median  line  dark  brown  and  sides  slaty  gray  spotted  with  white.  Adult 
female :  head  without  stripes,  prevailing  color  pale  pinkish  cinnamon  ;  upper 
parts  coarsely  mottled  and  finely  barred  with  black,  brown,  and  lavender, 
and  feathers  with  coarse  white  shaft  streaks ;  chin  whitish  ;  neck  with 
lavender  cape  specked  and  bordered  with  black ;  rest  of  under  parts  light 
cinnamon  or  lavender,  breast  and  sides  with  black  specks  and  shaft 
streaks.  Young  :  similar  to  female,  but  under  parts  thickly  spotted. 
Wing :  6.70,  tail  2.28,  bill  .53. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  arid  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  of 
western  Texas,  southern  parts  of  New  Mexico,  Arizona,  and  northern 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  partly  concealed  by  grass.     Eggs  :  white. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  weevils,  caterpillars,  larv*,  small  beans,  prickly 
pear  and  other  seeds,  and  great  numbers  of  small  bulbs. 

In  the  rugged  little  ranges  rising  from  the  deserts  of  western 
Texas,  southern  New  Mexico,  and  Arizona,  you  find  the  Mearns 
quail,  the  United  States  form  of  the  Massena  quail,  from  the  zone 
of  junipers,  oaks,  and  nut  pines  extending  up  among  the  big  yellow 
pines,  but  always  where  there  is  plenty  of  grass  or  scattered  brush 
for  cover.  When  camping  in  its  country  we  would  often  hear  a 
soft  chr-r-r-r^r  from  the  grass,  and  after  locating  it  start  for  the 
spot,  only  to  hear  the  quavering  notes  repeated  just  as  far  beyond. 
After  another  attempt  the  voice  would  be  still  across  the  gulch  — 
then  back  of  us  —  till  finally  we  gave  up  in  despair,  for  at  all  times 
the  ventriloquial  call  deceived  us.  Fruitless  hours  may  be  spent 
trying  to  tramp  up  the  birds,  and  when  you  do  find  them  you  are 
looking  for  something  else,  and  they  burst  from  the  grass  at  your  feet 
with  a  stiff-winged  roar  and  are  around  the  hill  out  of  sight  or  have 
dropped  into  a  thicket  before  you  have  recovered  from  your  surprise. 

While  we  were  in  the  Chisos  Mountains,  Texas,  Mr.  Fuertes  made 
the  interesting  discovery  that  the  quail  under  excitement  spread 
their  crest  laterally,  as  he  has  depicted  it  in  the  plate.  In  describ- 
ing it  he  says  :  "Just  after  sunrise,  while  I  was  getting  ready  for 
the  day's  work,  a  cock  Massena  quail  ran  up  beside  the  little  knoll 
where  I  had  placed  my  bed.  He  ran  by  me  within  fifteen  or  twenty 
feet,  at  first  apparently  not  noticing  me.  When  I  turned  to  watch 
him  he  seemed  to  become  more  alert,  quickened  his  trot,  compressed 
his  plumage,  and  raised  his  head  to  its  highest,  as  a  guinea  hen  will 
do  when  slightly  alarmed.  But  accompanying  this  action  he  dis- 
played his  curious  crest  in  a  peculiar  and  striking  way.  Instead  of 
raising  it  as  a  bob-white  would  have  done,  he  spread  it  out  laterally, 


124  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

like  half  a  mushroom.  This  curious  feature  combined  with  the 
compact  neck  and  body  feathers  and  striking  facial  markings  gave 
him  as  unique  an  appearance  as  could  well  be  imagined." 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS   DENDRAGAPUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  not  crested ;  tail  about  length  of  wing,  fan- 
shaped,  with  twenty  stiffish  broad,  obtuse  feathers ;  tarsus  feathered  to 
toes. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Tail  without  distinct  terminal  band  ....  richardsonii,  p.  126. 
1'.  Tail  with  bluish  gray  terminal  band. 

2.  Tail  band  wide  (.50-.SO  on  outermost  feather)    .     obscurus,  p.  124. 

2'.  Tail  band  narrow  (not  over  .40  on  outermost  feather). 

fuliginosus,  p.  125: 

297.  Dendragapus  obscurus  (Say).  DUSKY-  GROUSE. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  dusky  or  bluish  slate,  finely  mottled  with 

gray  and  brown,  buffy  brown 
on  wings  ;  hinder  scapulars 
usually  with  distinct  shaft 
streaks  and  terminal  spots 
of  white  ;  tail  blackish, 
with  wide  bluish  gray  band 
—  1.00—1.50  wide  ;  under 

19g  parts    slaty,  marked    with 

white  on  sides  of  neck  and 

flanks.     Adult  female  :  similar  to  male,  but  decidedly  smaller,  and  upper 

parts,  chest,  and  sides  barred  and  mottled  with  dark  brown  and  buffy. 

Young:  upper  parts  yellowish  brown,  with  irregular  barring  or  mottling, 

and  black  spots  and  white  or  buff  shaft  streaks  widening  at  tip  ;  under 

parts  dull  whitish,  chest  and  sides  spotted  with  black.     Male  :  length  20- 

23,  wing  9.40-10.00,  tail  8,  weight  about  2£  to  3|  pounds.     Female :  length 

17.50-19.00,  wing  about  8.70,  tail  6. 

Distribution.  —  Rocky  Mountains,   from  Idaho  and  Montana  south   to 

Arizona  and  New  Mexico,  and  from  the  East  Humboldt  Mountains,  Nevada, 

east  to  the  Black  Hills,  Dakota. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  alongside  a  log  or  under  grass  or  bushes, 

lightly  lined  with  pine  needles  and  grass.     Eggs  :  7  to  10,  cream  or  cream 

buff,  spotted  over  entire  surface  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  worms,  grubs,  and  wild  berries  such  as  bearber- 

ries,  raspberries,  gooseberries,  and  currants,  plant  leaves  and  flowers,  buds, 

and  fir  needles. 

Among  the  ranches  the  dusky  grouse  is  commonly  known  as  the 
'  fool-hen/  on  account  of  its  natural  tameness  and  its  unsuspicious 
nature.  Back  in  the  mountain  ranges  where  hunters  are  scarce  and 
usually  in  quest  of  bigger  game,  the  grouse  are  almost  as  fearless 
as  barnyard  poultry,  walking  out  of  your  path  with  stately  delib- 
eration, or  stopping  to  watch  you  near  the  trail.  But  after  a  little 
experience  with  hunters  and  dogs  they  become  as  wild  as  deer  and 
almost  as  difficult  to  approach. 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  125 

With  the  Indian  as  well  as  the  white  hunter  they  are  favorite 
game  birds,  both  because  of  their  large  size  and  the  delicate  flavor  of 
their  meat.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

297 a,.  D.  o.  fuliginosus  Eidgw.    SOOTY  GROUSE. 

Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  D.  obscurus,  but  darker,  sooty  blackish  with 
narrower  tail  band  —  usually  about  .60  on  middle  feathers  and  not  more 
than  .40  on  outer  pair  —  and  without  white  on  sides  of  neck.  Adult 
female:  similar  to  female  o&scurus,  but  upper  parts  darker,  sometimes 
washed  with  dark  rusty.  Young  :  darker  and  more  rusty.  Length  :  15.50- 
19.00,  wing  7.00-7.50,  tail  5.50-7.00. 

Distribution.  — Northwest  coast  mountains,  from  Alaska  south  to  Cali- 
fornia and  Nevada. 

Nest.  —  Similar  to  that  of  the  dusky  grouse.     Eggs :  8  to  15. 

The  sooty  grouse,  like  the  wild  turkey,  is  a  bird  of  distinction  and 
peculiar  interest  wherever  founds  Climb  a  mountain  ridge  toward 
sunset  as  the  birds  are  going  high  to  roost,  and  just  before  you  reach 
the  top,  with  a  cluck  and  a  whirr,  down  sails  a  great  dark  bird  with 
widespread  wings  and  banded  tail;  and  as  you  climb  on.  a  banded 
feather  under  a  low  fir  bough  discloses  the  hollow  where  it  had 
been  scratching  in  the  soft  woods  earth.  Ride  along  a  trail  and  as 
you  scan  the  trees  beside  you,  though  your  horse  hears  no  sound 
and  detects  no  motion,  your  eye  may  distinguish  a  statue-like  figure 
close  to  the  tree  trunk  so  like  the  bark  in  color  that  only  its  form 
reveals  it.  Explore  a  wind-swept  granite  crag  at  sunset  and  in  one 
of  its  protected  wooded  niches  warm  in  the  evening  light  a  mother 
grouse  whirrs  up  into  a  tree  and  walks  up  and  down  a  branch,  cran- 
ing her  long  neck  with  its  small  pointed  head,  clucking  anxiously 
as  she  goes,  and  at  the  turns  bobbing  her  tail  and  wobbling  hard  to 
keep  her  balance.  As  she  calls,  one  after  another  her  invisible 
young  burst  from  the  brushy  thicket  at  your  feet  and  on  stiff  convex 
wing  whirl  away  over  the  rocks  out  of  sight.  Go  to  a  canyon 
where  the  male  is  hooting  and  nearly  a  mile  away  you  will  hear  his 
loud  ventriloquial  whoo,  whoo,  whoo.  Followed  up,  he  proves  to  be 
near  the  top  of  a  tall  pine  fifty  to  seventy -five  feet  above  your  head, 
sitting  close  to  the  trunk,  concealed  by  the  branches.  Through  the 
glass  he  is  seen  to  sit  with  spread  tail  and  hanging  wings,  filling  his 
yellow  pouches  till  his  neck  looks  almost  as  big  as  his  body,  when 
with  a  pumping  motion  of  the  head  he  gives  his  hollow  muffled 
hoot.  If  you  stay  to  listen  you  may  hear  the  booming  at  short 
intervals  for  hours. 

In  winter,  Major  Bendire  says,  the  grouse  spend  most  of  their 
time  in  the  tops  of  tall  firs  and  pines,  coming  down  only  in  the 
middle  of  the  day  to  get  water  from  a  mountain  spring,  for  the 
treetops  supply  buds  and  needles  for  their  food. 


126  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

297b.  D.  o.  richardsonii  (DougL).    RICHARDSON  GROUSE. 

Similar  to  D.  obscurus,  but  tail  without  distinct  ter- 
minal gray  band,  and  tail  feathers  more  truncated  at 
tip. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Canadian  zone  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  from  northern  Wyoming,  Montana, 
and  Idaho,  north  to  British  Provinces. 

Nest  and  eggs  similar  to  those  of  the  dusky  grouse. 

Fig.  200.  The  Richardson  grouse  is  said  to  remain  in  the 

mountains   except  in  the  breeding  season,    when  it  descends  to 
the  valleys. 

GENUS   CANACHITES. 

299.  Canachites  franklinii  (DougL).    FRANKLIN  GROUSE. 

Similar  to  Dendragapus,  but  tail  with  sixteen  feathers,  which  are  more 
truncated  at  tip.  Adult  male:  orange 
comb  over  eye  ;  upper  parts  dark,  broadly 
marked  with  black  bands  and  narrower 
bars  of  gray  and  brown ;  tail  feathers 
black  to  tip,  or  narrowly  edged  with 
white  ;  upper  tail  coverts  mottled  and  strik- 
ingly banded  with  white ;  throat  and  chest  black,  with  white  band  between  ; 
belly  banded  with  white  ;  flanks  mottled  and  banded  with  brown  and 
streaked  with  white.  Adult  female :  upper  parts  blackish,  irregularly 
banded,  barred,  and  mottled  with  rusty  brown  and  ash  ;  white  bands  of 
tail  narrower  than  in  male ;  under  parts  uniformly  banded  with  black, 
white,  and  rusty  brown.  Length  :  14.70-16.20,  wing  about  6.50-7.35,  tail 
5.00-5.75. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  the  mountains  of  western  Montana  and 
Idaho  ;  westward  to  the  coast  ranges  of  Oregon  and  Washington ;  and 
northward  through  British  Provinces  to  southern  Alaska. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  woods.  Eggs  :  8  to  15,  buffy  or  pale  brownish, 
more  or  less  spotted  with  deep  brown. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  wild  berries,  and  buds  and  leaves  of  spruces  and 
tamaracks. 

No  bird  is  more  characteristic  of  the  deep  fir  forests  of  the  north- 
ern Rockies  and  Cascades  than  the  Franklin  grouse.  It  is  known 
locally  as  the  '  fool-hen '  from  its  misplaced  confidence  in  man,  its 
attitude  toward  him  being  one  of  mild  curiosity  and  indifference 
rather  than  alarm.  A  grouse  will  sometimes  walk  slowly  out  of  the 
way  to  avoid  being  stepped  on,  and  will  often  sit  quietly  beside  the 
trail  as  you  pass.  The  danger  the  birds  run  in  keeping  quiet  is 
not  as  great  as  it  appears,  however,  for  in  the  dark  forest  their 
du'sky  mottling  renders  them  almost  invisible. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  127 

GENUS   BONASA. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  with  a  short  crest ;  sides  of  neck  with  a 
black  or  brown  ruff  of  soft,  broad-webbed  feathers ;  tail  nearly  as  long  as 
wing,  fan-shaped. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  parts  dark  rusty  brown sabini,  p.  128. 

1'.  Upper  parts  not  dark  rusty  brown. 

2.  Upper  parts,  including  tail,  gray    ....      umbelloides,  p.  128. 

2'.  Upper  parts  gray  and  brown,  tail  sometimes  ochraceous. 

togata,  p.  127. 

300a.  Bonasa  umbellus  togata  (Linn.).  CANADIAN  RUFFED 
GKOUSE. 

Similar  to  B.  u.  umbelloides,  but  darker ;  upper  parts  mixed  with  gray, 
sometimes  mostly  gray  ;  under  parts  more  heavily  marked  with  brown,flanks 
barred  with  dark  brown  or  black  ;  tail  brown  or  gray. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  the  Canadian  zone  forests  of  the  northeastern 
United  States,  British  Provinces,  and  eastern  parts  of  Oregon  and  Wash- 
ington. 

Nest  and  eggs  similar  to  those  of  umbelloides. 

Food.  —  Largely  buds,  leaves,  berries,  fungus,  seeds,  and  nuts. 

While  common  in  its  various  forms  over  much  of  the  northwestern 
United  States  and  the  Rocky  Mountain  region,  the  ruffed  grouse  is 
less  famed  as  a  game  bird  in  the  west  than  in  the  east,  probably 
because  other  and  larger  grouse  claim  more  attention.  Wherever 
flushed  its  quick  flight  and  long,  black-banded  tail  distinguish  it 
from  all  others  of  the  family,  while  a  strutting  old  male,  stepping 
daintily  along  a  trail  in  the  shady  forest  with  black  epaulettes 
slightly  lifted  and  tail  half  spread,  has  a  grace  and  elegance  found 
in  no  other  North  American  grouse. 

Purely  a  bird  of  the  forest,  it  relies  largely  upon  cover  and  its 
mottled  coat  for  protection,  and  when  flushed,  if  possible  puts  a 
tree  between  itself  and  the  hunter  as  it  whirrs  away  to  light  out  of 
sight  on  the  far  side  of  a  gray  trunk.  There  it  draws  itself  up  and 
stands  as  rigid  as  a  branch.  How  well  it  knows  how  far  to  trust 
itself,  breaking  away  at  the  first  intelligent  gleam  from  the  pur- 
suer's eye !  But  with  all  the  skill  and  untamable  wildness  of  the 
grouse,  it  needs  rigid  protection  from  the  day  it  leaves  the  eggshell. 
A  brood  of  bob-tailed  young  buzzing  from  the  grass  up  on  to  the 
branches  are  easily  potted,  and  in  winter  a  flock  noisily  picking 
birch  and  alder-buds  in  the  treetops  are  sadly  exposed  to  the  con- 
scienceless hunter  below. 

While  the  snow  is  on  the  ground  the  birds  feed  mainly  on  buds, 
and  usually  have  a  warm  bed  under  the  snow.  Before  the  snow  is 
all  gone  in  .spring,  each  male  selects  his  drumming  ground,  —  a  log, 
a  rock,  or  merely  an  open  spot  of  ground,  — and  begins  his  drum- 


128  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

ming.  The  muffled  wing-beats  suggest  distant  thunder,  though  the 
sound  is  much  the  same  at  twenty  feet  or  forty  rods.  I  have  often 
crept  up  within  twenty  or  thirty  feet  of  an  old  cock  and  watched 
him.  Standing  in  a  perfectly  natural  position,  he  begins  without 
any  warning.  The  wings  are  slightly  raised  and  brought  quickly 
down  to  the  sides,  one,  two,  three,  four,  five,  six  times,  —  you  can 
count  no  farther,  —  the  buzzing  wings  are  lost  in  a  blur,  and  the 
sounds  blend  in  a  crescendo  roar.  For  hours  at  a  time  through  the 
breeding  season  the  drumming  is  kept  up  at  intervals  of  from  one 
to  several  minutes.  It  is  heard  mainly  in  the  morning  and  evening, 
but  irregularly  at  all  times  of  day  and  night,  though  always  from 
the  same  spot.  VEKNON  BAILEY. 

300b.  B.  u.  umbelloides  (DougL).    GRAY  RUFFED  GROUSE. 
Adult  male.  —  Ruffs  black,  with  bluish  green  gloss  to  tips  ;  upper  parts 

gray,    whole    surface    finely 


mottled  gray  and  black,  more 
or  less  washed  wii 


with   rufous, 

blotched  with  black,  and 
streaked  with  white  ;  tail  al- 
ways gray,  with  broad  black 
subterminal  band  ;  under 

Fig.  202.  parts  white  and  buffy,  barred 

with  brown.  Adult  female  : 
similar  but  smaller,  with  neck  tufts  rudimentary  or  obsolete.  Young : 
similar  to  adult  female,  but  browner,  barring  paler,  less  distinct,  dim 
white,  and  neck  tufts  wanting.  Length  :  15.50-19.00,  wing  7.00-7.50,  tail 
5.50-7.00. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and  Hudsonian  zones,  in  the  central 
Rocky  Mountain  system  of  the  United  States,  British  America,  and 
Alaska. 

Nest .  —  A  hollow  at  base  of  tree  or  rock,  or  by  a  fallen  treetop  or 
brush  pile.  Eggs :  8  to  14,  varying  from  white  to  pinkish  buff,  stained 
with  brown. 

Food.  —  Wild  fruit  and  berries,  seeds,  buds,  and  green  leaves. 

300c.  B.  U.  sabini  (DougL).    OREGON  RUFFED  GROUSE. 

Like  B.  u.  umbelloides,  but  much  darker ;  upper  parts  black  and  dark 
rusty  or  reddish  brown,  rarely  with  any  gray  ;  tail  usually  deep  rusty, 
rarely  grayish ;  under  parts  heavily  marked  with  blackish  and  washed 
with  buffy  brown. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  humid  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  in 
coast  ranges  from  British  Columbia  south  to  Humboldt  County,  Cali- 
fornia. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Bendire,  a  hollow  under  fallen  branches  lined 
with  dead  leaves,  spruce  needles,  and  a  few  feathers.  Eggs :  7  to  13. 

Food.  —  Similar  to  that  of  other  grouse. 

GENUS   LAGOPTJS. 

General  Characters.  —  Toes  and  tarsus  densely  feathered,  tail  less  than 
two  thirds  as  long  as  wing,  with  long  coverts  reaching  to  tip. 


Photographed  from  life  by  E.  R.  Warren. 

WHITE-TAILED  PTARMIGAN 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  129 

KEY   TO  SPECIES   OF   LAGOPUS. 

1.  General  color  of  upper  parts  gray,  in  fall  plumage. 

'  leucurus,  p.  129. 
1'.  General  color  of  upper  parts  buffy,  in  fall  plumage. 

altipetens,  p.  129. 

304.  Lagopus  leucurus  Swains.  $-  Rich.  WHITE-TAILED  PTAR- 
MIGAN. 

Adults  in  winter.  —  Pure  white.  Adults  in  summer  :  plumage  spotted, 
barred,  or  mottled  with  black  and  rich  buffy  brown  except  for  white 
wings,  tail,  legs,  and  belly;  the  white  tail  hidden  from  above  by  long 
mottled  coverts.  Adults  in  fall :  similar  to  summer,  but  dark  parts  more 
uniformly  gray,  with  finer  markings  and  only  a  trace  of  buffy.  Young : 
tail  gray.  Wing  :  6.37-6.75,  tail  3.81-4.07,  bill  .37,  tarsus  1.13-1.22. 

Distribution.  —  Above  timber  line  in  Alaska,  mountains  of  British 
Columbia,  and  higher  peaks  of  Cascades,  south  to  Hood  and  Jefferson. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  open  situations,  a  depression  in  the  grass,  or  an 
actual  nest  of  interlaced  grass  stems,  weed  tops,  and  feathers.  Eggs  :  1 0  to 
16,  more  or  less  heavily  spotted  or  marbled  with  dark  brown  or  black  on  a 
buffy  or  light  rusty  ground. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  caterpillars,  beetles,  and  other  insects,  as  well  as 
young  foliage,  buds,  flowers,  and  catkins. 

Well  above  timber  line  along  the  crests  of  the  higher  mountain 
ranges  these  hardy  furry-footed  little  grouse  live  among  the  rocks 
and  heather  beds,  where,  although  the  food  supply  is  small,  they 
find  an  abundance,  there  being  little  or  no  competition  from  birds  of 
like  habits. 

In  summer  they  keep  close  to  the  retreating  snow-banks  and  often 
make  their  nests  beside  permanent  glaciers.  Their  usual  landscape 
is  patched  with  snow  as  their  plumage  is  with  white.  But  though 
they  are  colored  for  safety  among  the  glaciers,  the  dark  parts  of  their 
plumage  make  them  blend  in  with  the  rocks  so  perfectly  that  they 
are  almost  invisible  when  not  moving  —  a  fact  they  seem  to  appre- 
ciate, for  they  sit  still  until  you  almost  step  on  them. 

VEBNON  BAILEY. 

304a.   L.  1.  altipetens  Osgood.     SOUTHERN  WHITE-TAILED  PTAR- 
MIGAN. 

Slightly  larger  than  leucurus  and  similar 
to  it  in  winter  and  summer  plumages,  but 
in  fall  plumage  more  brownish,  the  upper 
parts  pale  cinnamon  rufous.  Wing  7.10- 
7.44,  tail  4.30-4.72,  bill  about  .37,  tarsus  203 

1.13-1.28. 

Distribution.  —  Colorado  and  New  Mexico. 

In  Colorado  the  local  name  for  the  ptarmigan  is  '  white  quail.' 
GENUS   TYMPANU  CHITS. 

General  Characters.  —  Sides  of  neck  with  a  conspicuous  tuft  of  stiff, 
pointed  feathers  and  an  inflatable  air  sac  ;  head  with  a  slight  soft  crest ; 


130  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 

tail  short,  rounded;   tarsus  scantily  feathered  to  toes;   toes  extensively 
webbed  at  base. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES   OF   TYMPANUCHUS. 

1.  Bars  of  back  and  rump  single,  broad  and  solid  black. 

2.  Larger americanus,  p.  130. 

2'.  Smaller.  Coast  of  Texas attwateri,  p.  131. 

1'.  Bars  of  back  and  rump  treble,  a  brown  bar  inclosed  between  two  nar- 
row black  bars pallidicinctus,  p.  131. 

305.  Tympanuchus  americanus  (Eeich.).    PRAIRIE  HEN. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  yellowish  brown  and  white,  crossed  by  single 
black  bars  ;  under  parts  white,  barred  with  brown  ;  head  deep  buff  except 

for  blackish  brown  stripes  and 
blotches  ;  neck  with  tufts  above 
inflatable  air  sac,  feathers  of 
tufts  2.50  or  more  in  length 
with  broad  rounded  tips. 
Adult  female:  similar,  but 

with   neck  tufts  rudimentary. 

204.  Young:     upper     parts     light 

brownish,  feathers  with  con- 
spicuous white  mesial  streaks  and  large  black  blotches.  Male:  length 
18-19,  wing  8.60-9.40,  tail  4.00-4.30.  Female:  length  17.50,  wing  8.65, 
tail  3.80. 

Distribution.  —  Prairies  of  the  Mississippi  valley  from  Manitoba  south 
to  Texas  and  Louisiana,  and  west  to  Colorado,  with  a  general  tendency 
toward  extension  of  range  westward  and  contraction  eastward.  Migrates 
locally  north  and  south. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  excavation  in  the  ground  among  grass  and  weeds  on 
open  prairie,  sometimes  lined  with  matted  grass  and  a  few  feathers.  Eggs: 
usually  11  to  14,  cream,  olive,  or  buffy,  sometimes  slightly  specked  with 
darker. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  potato  bugs,  and  various  other  beetles  and  in- 
sects, besides  berries,  grain,  small  seeds,  green  leaves,  and  buds. 

The  few  scared,  hunted  prairie  chickens  that  remain  scattered  here 
and  there  over  our  great  middle  prairies  are  but  a  poor  remnant  of 
the  abundant  flocks  that  only  a  few  years  back  feasted  through  the 
summer  on  grasshoppers  and  boomed  loudly  in  spring  from  every 
lonely  hilltop  and  wide  expanse  of  open  country.  Perhaps  no  bird 
offers  such  tempting  sport  to  hunters  as  these  quick  but  straight- 
flying  grouse  of  the  open  country,  ranging  as  they  do  in  flocks  of 
ten  or  twelve,  lying  close  for  the  dogs,  scattering  as  they  fly,  and 
lighting  again  on  all  sides  to  be  worked  up  and  shot  by  ones  and 
twos.  When  besides  their  character  as  game  birds  their  goodly  size 
and  delicious  flavor  are  considered,  it  seems  little  wonder  that  they 
have  been  rapidly  destroyed.  In  places  they  are  still  fairly  common, 
and  by  wise  protection  could  no  doubt  be  kept  from  extermination. 

Through  the  summer  months  they  are  quiet  birds,  nesting  in  the 
grass  and  keeping  their  young  well  out  of  sight  in  grainfields  or 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC.  131 

berry  patches.  In  winter,  flocks  of  sometimes  a  hundred  or  more 
wary  old  birds  gather  together,  but  they  light  in  the  treetops  to 
inspect  the  horizon  for  danger  before  settling  down  to  breakfast  in 
the  cornfield,  or  else  fly  from  their  soft  beds  of  snow  to  some  big 
open  field  where  there  is  not  so  much  as  a  bush  or  stick  to  hide  a 
lurking  enemy.  As  the  snow  gets  deeper  it  only  brings  them  up 
nearer  the  berries,  haws,  and  buds,  which  furnish  the  bulk  of  their 
winter  food.  When  the  snow  hardens  to  a  rigid  crust  and  a  few 
patches  of  bare  ground  appear  you  hear  just  at  sunrise  a  low  boom- 
ing sound,  perhaps  a  mile  away,  answered  by  one  after  another  of 
the  awakened  cocks.  This  will  be  heard  for  hours  every  morning 
from  the  last  of  February  till  the  first  of  May  in  the  grouse  country, 
for  then  the  birds  are  having  their  famous  dances.  A  few  cocks  and 
hens  gather  on  a  frozen  lake  or  the  open  prairie,  and  the  males  fight 
and  strut  and  boom  in  ardent  rivalry  before  the  apparently  uncon- 
cerned females.  They  inflate  the  orange  air  sacs  on  each  side  of  the 
neck,  spread  the  yellow  fringe  over  the  eyes,  and  with  widespread 
tail,  drooping  wings,  erect  neck  tufts,  and  lowered  head  emit  the  air 
with  the  low  booming  sound.  The  booming  is  kept  up  throughout 
the  breeding  season.  It  is  a  most  deceptive  sound,  at  twenty  feet 
often  seeming  far  away,  and  at  a  long  distance  sounding  close  oy. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

305 a.  T.  a.  attwateri  (Bend.).    ATTWATEB  PRAIRIE  HEN. 

Similar  to  T.  americanus,  but  smaller  and  darker ;  usually  more  chestnut 
on  the  neck ;  wing  coverts  with  smaller,  more  tawny  spots ;  tarsus  more 
scantily  feathered,  feathers  never  reaching  base  of  toes ;  in  summer,  greater 
part  of  tarsus  naked ;  in  winter,  stripe  of  bare  skin  on  back  of  tarsus. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  districts  of  southwestern  Louisiana  and  Texas. 

307.  Tympanuchus  pallidicinctus  Eidgw.  LESSER  PRAIRIE 
HEN. 

Like  the  prairie  hen  but  paler,  and  bars  of  back  in  threes,  a  wide  brown 
bar  inclosed  by  two  narrow  black  bars.  Male :  wing  8.20-8.30,  tail  4.00- 
4.20.  Female :  wing  8.00-8.20,  tail  3.50-4.00. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  edge  of  the  plains,  from  Kansas  south  to 
western  Texas. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  meadows  or  other  open  situations.  Eggs :  8  to  12 
or  more,  grayish,  olive,  or  buffy,  usually  plain,  but  sometimes  spotted  with 
darker. 

GENUS   PEDICECETES. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  lightly  crested,  a  naked  patch  over  each 
eye ;  neck  without  obviously  peculiar  feathers,  but  with  a  hidden  patch  of 
distensible  skin,  reddish  in  the  breeding  season,  over  which  lies  a  series  of 
slightly  enlarged  feathers ;  feet  feathered  to  the  toes ;  toes  with  a  con- 
spicuous fringe  of  horny  processes  in  winter ;  tail  much  shorter  than  wings, 
graduated,  feathers  square  at  tips,  the  middle  pair  projecting  much  beyond 
the  rest. 


132  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 


KEY   TO   SPECIES   OF   PEDICECETES. 


1.  Ground  color  buffy  grayish  .......     columbianus,  p.  132. 

1'.  Ground  color  rusty  or  yellowish  brown  ....    campestris.  p.  132. 

308a.  Pedioecetes  phasianellus  columbianus  (Ord).    CO- 
LUMBIAN SHARP-TAILED  GROUSE. 


under 

with 

throat  white.     Length  :  15-19,  wing  8.50-9.00,  tail  4.00-5.50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  northern  part  of  Great  Basin  region,  east  to 
Montana  and  Wyoming,  and  north  from  Utah,  Nevada,  and  northeastern 
California  to  central  portion  of  Alaska. 

Nest,  —  A  hollow  in  the  ground,  lined  with  dried  grass  and  feathers. 
Eggs:  11  to  14,  creamy  buff  to  olive  brown,  usually  lightly  spotted  with 
reddish  brown. 

Nowhere  so  abundant  as  the  pinnated  grouse,  the  sharp-tailed  has 
a  wider  range  over  more  unsettled  country  and  will  probably  last 
longer,  especially  in  the  northern  part  of  its  range.  While  a  prairie 
or  plains  bird,  it  is  usually  flushed  from  a  berry  patch,  low  bushes 
beside  a  creek,  a  stubble  field,  or  sagebrush.  Its  finely  mottled 
plumage  makes  it  very  inconspicuous,  and  its  tendency  is  to  lie  low 
and  be3  flushed  at  fatally  close  quarters. 

Though  the  grouse  usually  keep  well  hidden  in  summer,  in  winter 
when  their  plumage  has  become  dense  and  their  feet  and  legs  rabbit- 
like,  they  may  be  seen  crossing  the  fields  on  top  of  the  snow  or  get- 
ting their  breakfast  of  buds  from  the  tops  of  trees  and  tall  bushes. 
When  the  weather  is  cold  and  the  snow.deep  and  soft  they  oftep 
roost  under  the  snow  like  the  ruffed  grouse,  and  come  out  in  the 
morning  fifteen  or  twenty  feet  from  where  they  entered  the  white 
surface  at  night. 

In  spring  the  males  have  a  loud  cackling  note,  besides  a  scraping 
sound  produced  apparently  by  opening  and  closing  their  rigid  tail 
feathers. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

308b.  P.  p.  campestris  Ridgw.  PKAIBIE  SHARP-TAILED  GROUSE. 
Similar  to  columbianus,  but  ground  color  much  lighter,  prevailing  shade 
rusty  or  yellowish  brown  ;  under  parts  main- 
ly whitish,  and  dark  breast  washed  with 
whitish. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  plains  and  prairies 
in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from 
Manitoba  south  to  New  Mexico,  and  from 
Wisconsin  and  Illinois  west  to  the  Rocky 
Mountains. 

X*.  -  On  the  ground.  Eggs  :  11  to  14, 
creamy  butt'  to  pale  olive  brown,  slightly 
spotted. 


GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAILS,  ETC. 


133 


Food.  —  Grasshoppers  and  other  insects,  fruit,  berries,  grain,  buds,  and 
leaves. 

GENUS  CENTROCERCUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  longer  than  wings,  graduated,  feathers 
pointed ;  neck  with  distensible  air  sacs  surmounted  by  hair-like  filaments 
and  erect  feathers ;  tarsus  feathered  to  toes. 

309.  Centrocercus  urophasianus  (Bonap.).    SAGE  GROUSE. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  mottled  gray  or  buffy,  irregularly  spotted  or 
barred  with  black  or  brownish ;  in  breeding  season  tufts  of  white  downy 
feathers,  mixed  with  black  egret- 
iike  wiry  plumes  on  shoulders ; 
yellow  air  sacs  on  side  of  throat ; 
chest  blackish  before  the  breed- 
ing season,  with  black  wiry 
feathers  depending  from  the 
chest  band ;  chest  white  after 
the  breeding  season,  during 
which  time  the  blackish  tips 
are  worn  off  by  rubbing  on  the 
ground.  Adult  female:  similar 
to  male  but  smaller  and  without 
ruffs,  air  sacs,  or  nuptial  plumes ; 
throat  white,  chest  band  spec- 
kled grayish.  Young :  some- 
what like  adult  female  but 
brownish  above,  markings  on 
under  parts,  including  black  of 
belly,  less  distinct.  Male:  length 
26-30,  wing  12-13,  tail  11-13, 
weight  4-J-S  pounds.  Female  : 
length  21.50-23.00,  wing  about 
10.50-11.00,  tail  8-9. 

Distribution. — Breeds  in  sage- 
brush plains  of  the  interior  in 
Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  From  Bond'  ™  The  AuK- 

zones  from  Assiniboia  and  Brit- 
ish Columbia  to  Utah,  Nevada,  and  California,  from  the  Sierra  Nevada  and 
Cascades  east  to  the  Black  Hills,  Nebraska,  and  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  hollow,  with  or  without  lining,  usually  under  the  shelter 
of  a  sage  bush,  but  sometimes  near  a  creek  sheltered  by  a  bunch  of  high 
grass.  Eggs :  usually  7  to  9,  olive  buff  to  greenish  brown,  marked  with 
round  spots  of  dark  brown. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  ants,  and  other  insects,  with  tender  plants,  leaves, 
buds,  and  flowers. 

Throughout  the  Great  Basin  and  arid  plains  country,  where  the 
most  abundant  and  characteristic  plant  is  the  silvery -leaved  aromatic 
sagebrush,  we  find  this  largest,  stateliest  of  North  American  Tetra- 
onidae,  the  sage  grouse.  It  is  a  bird  of  the  open  country,  seeking  no 
heavier  cover  than  the  low  sagebrush  and  often  wandering  over  bar- 
ren slopes  or  short  grass  meadows,  or  in  large  flocks  late  in  summer 
mounting  above  the  timber  belt  of  the  mountains,  to  find  new  pas- 
tures in  the  stunted  growth  of  sage  close  to  perpetual  snow. 


134  PHEASANTS   AND   TURKEYS 

When  much  hunted  the  grouse  become  as  wary  as  any  game  birds, 
but  in  a  few  far-away  corners  of  their  range  they  are  still  numer- 
ous. To  the  sportsman  used  to  the  quick  whirr  of  the  pinnated  and 
sharp-tailed  grouse  the  heavy  roar  and  steady  flight  of  a  magnificent 
black-breasted  long-tailed  old  sage  cock  offers  far  too  easy  a  target, 
and  the  birds  soon  become  scarce  when  the  country  is  settled. 

Considering  their  quiet  dispositions  and  large  size  it  seems  strange 
that  they  have  never  been  domesticated.  The  young  birds  are  as 
delicious  as  any  grouse,  and  while  the  old  ones  are  often  flavored 
with  sage,  a  wholesome  wormwood  bitter,  they  can  usually  be  cooked 
so  that  the  flavor  will  not  be  noticed.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

Mr.  Frank  Bond  explains  the  fact  that  the  chest  feathers  of  the 
grouse  become  worn  off  during  the  breeding  season.  He  says: 
''During  the  months  of  April  and  May  the  sage  cocks  are  usually 
found  in  small  flocks  of  a  half  dozen  or  more,  stalking  about  with 
tails  erect  and  spread  after  the  manner  of  the  strutting  turkey  cock. 
.  .  .  Instead  of  dragging  its  wings  upon  the  ground  the  sage  cock 
will  enormously  inflate  the  air  sacs  of  the  neck  until  the  whole  neck 
and  breast  is  balloon -like  in  appearance,  then  stooping  forward  almost 
the  entire  weight  of  the  body  is  thrown  upon  the  distended  portion 
and  the  bird  slides  along  on  the  bare  ground  or  short  grass  for  some 
distance,  the  performance  being  concluded  by  the  expulsion  of  the 
air  from  the  sacs,  with  a  variety  of  chuckling,  cackling,  or  rum- 
bling sounds.  This  performance  is  continued  probably  daily  during 
the  pairing  and  nesting  season,  and  of  course  the  feathers  are  worn 
away  by  the  constant  friction."  (The  Auk,  xvii.  325.) 

FAMILY    PHASIANIDJE:    PHEASANTS   AND 
TURKEYS. 

KEY  TO   GENERA. 

1.  Head  naked,  skin  wrinkled  and  warted  ....     Meleagris,  p.  136. 
1'.  Head  feathered,  except  sometimes  around  eye. 

2.  Head  not  crested Phasianus,  p.  134. 

1  2'.  Head  conspicuously  crested. 

3.  Neck  with  conspicuous  erectile  ruff      .      Chrysolophus,  p.  135. 
3'.  Neck  without  ruff Gennaeus,  p.  135. 

GENUS    PHASIANUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  not  crested  ;  male  with  brilliant  metallic 
colors  and  handsome  markings,  tail  lengthened,  graduated,  and  vaulted, 
the  feathers  usually  tapering  to  a  point.  Female  much  smaller  and 
brownish,  with  upper  parts  more  or  less  mottled,  spotted,  and  marked  with 
dusky. 

A  dozen  or  more  pheasants  have  been  introduced  into  the  United 
States,  but  the  ring-necked  is  the  only  one  that  has  thus  far  gained 
a  foothold  in  the  west. 


PHEASANTS  AND  TURKEYS  135 

KEY   TO   ADULT   MALE  PHASIANUS. 

1.  Neck  metallic  greenish  or  bluish. 

2.  Breast  coppery  chestnut torquatus,  p.  135. 

2'.  Breast  dark  green versicolor,  p.  135. 

1'.  Neck  chestnut,  with  coppery  and  purple  reflections. 

soemmerriiigii,  p.  135. 

Phasianus  torquatus  Gmel.    RING-NECKED  PHEASANT. 

Adult  male.  —  Neck  metallic  greenish  or  bluish,  back  of  head  tufted ; 
breast  rich  coppery  chestnut,  with  metallic  purple  and  coppery  reflections  ; 
neck  wholly  or  partly  encircled  by  white  collar.  Adult  female :  tail 
brown,  barred  with  black  and  white.  Male :  length  2^  feet,  wing  9.50- 
10.50,  tail  17.50-20.00.  Female  :  length  20-24,  wing  8.50,  tail  11-12. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  Siberia,  Corea,  and  northeastern  China.  Intro- 
duced into  twenty-five  states. 

Phasianus  versicolor  Vieill.    GREEN  PHEASANT. 

Adult  male.  —  Neck  metallic  green  or  blue,  back  of  head  tufted  ;  breast, 
sides,  and  flanks  dark  green.  Adult  female  :  tail  barred  over  reddish  or 
purplish  ground.  Male :  length  24-27,  wing  9.60,  tail  16.  Female  : 
length  20,  wing  8.25,  tail  10.50. 

Distribution.  —  Japan,  except  Yezo.  Introduced,  but  apparently  with 
little  success,  in  western  Oregon. 

Phasianus  scemmerringii  Temm.    COPPER  PHEASANT. 

Adult  male.  —  Chestnut  and  rufous,  glossed  with  coppery  red  and  pur- 
plish ;  rump  broadly  streaked  with  white,  tail  broadly  banded.  Adult 
female :  tail,  except  four  middle  feathers,  brown,  with  subterminal  black 
bar  and  white  tip.  Male :  length  36,  wing  9,  tail  28.  Female  :  length 
18-20,  wing  8.25,  tail  8.50. 

Distribution.  —  Niphon  and  Kuisui,  Japan.  Introduced,  but  without 
apparent  success,  in  western  Oregon. 

GENUS    CHRYSOLOPHUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  crested,  neck  with  conspicuous  erectile  ruff. 

Chrysolophus  pictus.    GOLDEN  PHEASANT. 

Adult  male.  —  Ruff  or  cape  golden  orange,  barred  with  black ;  entire 
under  parts,  except  chin  and  throat,  bright  red ;  tail  brown,  barred,  and 
reticulated  with  black.  Adult  female  :  upper  parts  mottled  brown,  heavily 
barred  with  dusky  on  top  and  back  of  head,  wings,  neck,  chest,  sides,  and 
flanks  ;  rest  of  under  parts  plain  light  buff.  Male :  length  40,  wing  7.70, 
tail  27.  Female  :  length  24,  wing  7,  tail  14. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  of  southern  China.  Introduced  in  western 
Oregon,  and  Protection  Island,  Washington,  and  recently  in  New  Mexico 

GENUS   GENN^IUS. 

Gennseus  nycthemerus  Linn.    SILVER  PHEASANT. 

Adult  male.  —  Crest  and  under  parts  glossy  blue  black  ;  face,  legs,  and 
feet  bright  red ;  rest  of  upper  parts  pure  white,  marked  with  V-shaped 
pencilings  of  black.  Adult  female  :  brown,  under  parts  with  paler  shaft 
streaks,  posterior  parts  and  thighs  irregularly  mottled  with  zigzag  lines  of 
dusky  ;  tail,  except  middle  feathers,  irregularly  barred  with  black  and 


136     .  PHEASANTS   AND   TURKEYS 

white  ;  face,  legs,  and  feet  dull  red.     Male :  length  40,  wing  10.50,  tail 
24.     Female  :  length  20.50,  wing  9.10,  tail  9.80. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  China.  Introduced  into  western  Oregon  and 
Protection  Island,  Washington. 

GENUS   MELEAGRIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  and  upper  neck  naked  ;  the  skin  wrinkled 
or  warted,  the  forehead  with  extensile  appendage,  smaller  in  females  ; 
tail  rounded,  tarsus  naked,  spurred  in  male  ;  sexes  similar,  but  females 
duller. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Tail  coverts  tipped  with  huffy  whitish      ....     merriami,  p.  136. 
1'.  Tail  coverts  tipped  with  brown. 

2.  Tail  coverts  tipped  with  dark  chestnut fera,  p.  136. 

2'.  Tail  coverts  tipped  with  cinnamon  or  cinnamon  buff. 

intermedia,  p.  136. 

310.  Meleagris  gallopavo  merriami  Nelson.  MERRIAM  TUB- 
KEY. 

Adult  male.  —  Head  and  neck  bare,  dull  bluish,  strip  of  skin  hanging 
from  above  bill ;  chest  with  bristly  tuft  of  beard  ;  feathers  of  under  parts 
metallic  bronzy  green  and  reddish,  tipped  with  velvet  black  ;  feathers  of 
lower  back  and  rump  metallic,  tipped  with  black ;  tail,  tail  coverts,  and 
feathers  of  lower  rump  tipped  with  bujfy  whitish.  Adult  female:  similar,  but 
smaller,  and  colors  duller.  Male:  length  48-50,  wing  21,  tail  18.50. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  of  southern  Colorado,  New  Mexico,  Arizona, 
western  Texas,  and  northern  Chihuahua  and  Sonora,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  hollow  lined  with  leaves,  weeds,  and  grass,  sometimes  under 
shelter  of  a  yucca,  grass,  or  bushes.  Eggs :  8  to  14,  white,  dotted  over 
entire  surface  with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Insects,  seeds,  berries,  plant  tops,  and  cactus  fruit. 

In  the  mountains  of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  one  may  occasion- 
ally find  wild  turkeys.  In  Arizona  they  have  been  seen  by  shep- 
herds in  the  notches  between  the  highest  peaks  of  San  Francisco 
Mountain. 

310a.  M.  g.  fera  (VieilL).    WILD  TUKKEY. 

Like  M.  g.  merriami,  but  tail  tipped  with,  deep  rusty,  coverts  and  feathers 
of  lower  rump  rich  dark  chestnut. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  United  States  from  southwestern  Pennsylvania 
to  the  Gulf  coast,  and  west  to  southwestern  Kansas  along  wooded  river 
valleys. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  sometimes  lined  with  leaves  and  pine  needles. 
Eggs :  8  to  13,  creamy  to  buffy,  marked  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  crickets,  and  other  insects ;  acorns,  nuts,  seeds, 
grain,  berries,  and  plant  tops. 

310c.  M.  g.  intermedia  Sennett.    Rio  GRANDE  TURKEY. 

Similar  to  M.  g.  merriami,  but  lower  back  and  rump  jet  black  —  feathers 
showing  steel  gray  bars  in  certain  lights  —  and  tail  and  lower  coverts 
tipped  with  cinnamon  or  cinnamon  buff. 

Distribution.  —  Lowlands  of  southern  Texas  and  northeastern  Mexico. 


CURRASSOWS  AND  GUANS  137 

Over  most  of  the  country  where  the  wild  turkeys  were  once  plenty 
they  have  now  become  scarce  or  extinct,  but  in  a  few  places  may 
still  be  found  in  something  like  their  original  abundance,  living 
much  as  their  ancestors  lived,  breeding  unmolested,  strolling  through 
the  woods  in  flocks,  and  gathering  at  night  in  goodly  numbers  in 
their  favorite  roosting-places.  Perhaps  the  best  of  these  undevastated 
regions  are  on  the  big  stock  ranches  of  southern  Texas,  where  the 
birds  are  protected  not  by  loosely  formed  and  unenforced  game  laws, 
but  by  the  care  of  owners  of  large  ranches,  who  would  as  soon 
think  of  exterminating  their  herds  of  cattle  as  of  shooting  more  than 
the  normal  increase  of  game  under  their  control.  Here,  at  least 
through  the  breeding  season,  the  turkeys  are  not  more  wary  than 
many  of  the  other  large  birds,  and  as  we  surprised  them  in  the  half 
open  mesquite  woods  along  the  Nueces  River  would  rarely  fly, 
merely  sneaking  into  the  thickets,  or  at  most  running  from  us. 

The  ranchmen  say  that  the  turkeys  always  select  trees  over  water 
to  roost  in  when  possible,  and  no  doubt  they  do  it  for  protection  in 
this  region  where  foxes,  coyotes,  and  wildcats  abound.  On  the 
edge  of  the  flooded  bottoms  of  the  Nueces  River  they  roosted  in  the 
partially  submerged  huisache  trees.  A  loud  gobble  just  at  dusk  led 
us  to  their  cover,  and  crouching  low  to  get  the  sky  for  a  background 
we  could  see  the  big  forms  coming  in  singly  or  in  twos  or  threes, 
and  hear  the  strong  wing  beats  as  they  passed  on  to  alight  in  the 
huisaches  out  in  the  water.  When  the  noise  of  their  wings  and  the 
rattling  of  branches  had  subsided,  with  a  few  gobbles  from  different 
quarters  they  settled  down  for  the  night.  The  next  morning,  as 
the  darkness  began  to  thin  and  a  light  streak  appeared  in  the  east,  a 
long  loud  gobble  broke  the  stillness,  followed  by  gobble  after  gob- 
ble from  awakening  birds  in  different  parts  of  the  bottoms,  and 
before  it  was  half  daylight  the  heavy  whish  whish  of  big  wings 
passed  overhead,  as  the  turkeys  with  strong,  rapid  flight  took  their 
way  back  to  the  higher  ridges.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

FAMILY   CRACnXSI:  CURRASSOWS   AND   GUANS. 

GENUS    ORTALIS. 

311.  Ortalis  vetula  maccalli  Baird.    CHACHALACA. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  plain  olive,  slightly  glossed  with  bronzy  green  ; 
head  and  neck  tinged  with  dull  slaty  ;  tail  fan-shaped,  from  dusky  bronzy 
green  to  blue  black,  fan,  except  for  middle  feathers,  broadly  bordered 
with  white  ;  bare  skin  on  throat  orange  ;  chest  dull  grayish  green  ;  rest  of 
under  parts  dingy  buffy  brownish,  deepening  on  under  tail  coverts. 
Length  :  19.75-24.00,  wing  7.50-8.50,  tail  9.00-10.50. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  northeastern  Mexico,  from  Vera  Cruz  north 
to  lower  Rio  Grande  valley  in  Texas. 

Nest. — Usually  in  a  twig-and-leaf -filled  cavity  of  a  mesquite-tree. 
Eggs  :  3  or  4,  white,  rough,  and  strongly  granulated. 


138  PIGEONS 

The  chachalaca  comes  into  the  lower  Rio  Grande  valley  of  Texas, 
but  probably  does  not  range  more  than  fifty  miles  north  of  the 
Mexican  line.  It  keeps  within  the  mesquite  and  chaparral,  where 
it  calls  from  the  treetops  at  sunrise  and  sunset,  pronouncing  its 
local  name,  cJiachalac,  in  loud  tones.  Dr.  Merrill  says  that  it  is 
much  hunted  for  the  Brownsville  market. 


ORDER  COLUMB^E:  PIGEONS. 
FAMILY  COLUMBID-S! :  PIGEONS. 

KEY   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Tarsus  shorter  than  side  toes. 

2.  Tail  slightly  rounded,  feathers  broad  at  tips       .     Columba,  p.  138. 
2'.  Tail  graduated,  feathers  narrow  and  pointed  at  tips. 

Ectopistes,  p.  140. 
1'.  Tarsus  longer  than  side  toes. 
2.  Wing  less  than  4. 

3.  Tail  equal  to  or  longer  than  wing,  narrowing  to  a  point. 

Scardafella,  p.  143. 

3'.  Tail  shorter  than  wing,  wide  at  end    .     Columbigallina,  p.  143. 
2'.  Wing  more  than  5. 

3.  Tip  of  outer  quill  abruptly  narrowed     .     .     .     Leptotila,  p.  141. 
3'.  Tip  of  outer  quill  not  abruptly  narrowed. 

4.  Tail  feathers  12,  tail  rounded Melopelia,  p.  142. 

4'.  Tail  feathers  14,  tail  graduated   ....    Zenaidura,  p.  140. 

GENUS   COLTJMBA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  much  shorter  than  wing,  slightly  rounded, 
the  feathers  broad  and  rounded  or  nearly  square  at  tip  ;  wings  pointed  ; 
side  toes  of  about  equal  length. 

KEY  TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Tail  banded fasciata,  p.  138. 

1'.  Tail  uniform  slaty  black flavirostris,  p.  140. 

312.  Columba  fasciata  Say.    BAND-TAILED  PIGEON. 

Adult  male.  —  End  of  tail  with  broad  —  two  inch  —  band,  pale  gray,  bor- 
dered above  by  black  ;  back  of  neck 
with  white  collar  adjoined  by  iridescent 
bronzy  patch  spreading  back  as  a 
greenish  wash ;  head  and  under  parts 
purplish  pink,  fading  to  whitish  on 
belly ;  fore  part  of  back  tinged  with 
brownish,  hinder  part  bluish  gray ;  wing  quills  blackish,  coverts  bluish 
gray,  faintly  edged  with  white.  Adult  female :  like  male  but  duller  and 
much  grayer  ;  white  nuchal  band  often  obsolete,  iridescent  patch  restricted, 
head  grayish  instead  of  pink,  under  parts  largely  grayish.  Young  :  with- 
out white  on  nape,  under  parts  dull  grayish,  tinged  with  brown  on  breast ; 
upper  parts  with  feathers  more  or  less  lightly  bordered  with  paler ;  head 
and  neck  dull  bluish  gray  in  male,  light  grayish  brown  in  female.  Length  ' 
15-16,  wing  8.00-8.80,  tail  6.00-6.50. 


PIGEONS  139 

Distribution.  —  Transition  zone,  from  British  Columbia  south  through 
Mexico  to  Guatemala,  eastward  to  Colorado  and  to  western  Texas. 

Nest.  —  When  eggs  are  not  laid  on  the  ground  or  in  the  nest  of  some 
other  bird,  a  slight  platform  of  twigs  on  the  flat  limb  of  a  tree.  Eggs  :  1 
or  2,  white. 

Food.  —  Mainly  acorns,  but  also  young  sycamore  balls,  grain,  wild  ber- 
ries, such  as  elder,  salmon,  pigeon,  mulberry,  and  manzanita ;  and  honey 
from  the  century  plant  flowers. 

Though  the  band -tailed  pigeons  are  sometimes  common  in  the 
large  river-bottoms  where  cottonwood  balls,  alder  seeds,  and  berries 
abound,  they  live  mainly  on  mast  and  breed  principally  on  the  edge 
of  Upper  Sonoran  zone  where  the  oaks  and  pines  intermingle.  The 
acorn  crop  of  the  year  apparently  governs  their  movements.  In 
good  acorn  winters,  Mr.  Grinnell  says,  they  sometimes  appear  in 
flocks  of  hundreds  in  the  oak  regions  of  southern  California.  Near 
Seattle,  Mr.  Rathbon  reports,  they  are  in  need  of  protection,  as  they 
are  hunted  so  continuously  that  they  are  in  danger  of  becoming  rare 
birds. 

At  Beaverton,  Oregon,  Mr.  Anthony  has  found  them  abundant 
around  a  mineral  spring,  and  in  the  arid  mountains  of  the  southwest 
they  gather,  often  in  large  numbers,  at  the  springs  and  water  holes. 
When  they  come  flying  in  to  water  the  noise  of  their  wings  is  star- 
tling. It  is  a  loud  flapping,  as  different  from  the  musical  whirr  of 
the  mourning  dove  as  their  heavy  flight  is  from  the  light  swerving 
flight  of  the  dove,  and  as  the  square  tail  is  from  the  long  pointed 
,one  of  the  dove.  Though  the  noise  made  by  the  wings  of  fasciata 
•is  striking  at  all  times,  when  one  of  the  birds  projects  himself  down 
a  mountain-side  on  his  way  to  water,  •  the  sound  produced  has  been 
compared  to  the  escape  of  steam  from  an  engine. 

The  band  on  their  tails  shows  sometimes  at  a  turn  in  flight,  but 
most  conspicuously  on  alighting,  for  then  they  spread  their  tails, 
and  at  a  distance  the  band  looks  almost  white. 

If  you  follow  the  pigeons  to  their  breeding-grounds  in  some  re- 
mote canyon  you  will  be  struck  by  the  owl-like  hooting  that  fills  the 
place,  and  you  will  locate  the  sound  here  and  there  along  the  sides 
of  the  canyon  at  dead  treetops,  in  each  of  which  a  solitary  male  is 
sunning  himself,  at  intervals  puffing  out  his  breast  and  hooting. 
The  hooting  varies  considerably.  Sometimes  it  is  a  calm  whoo'-hoo- 
hoo,  whoo'-hoo-hoo,  at  others  a  spirited  hoop' '-ah-whoo' ',  and  again  a  two 
syllabled  whoo'-ugh,  made  up  of  a  short  hard  hoot  and  a  long  coo,  as 
if  the  breath  was  sharply  expelled  for  the  first  note  and  drawn  in  for 
the  second. 

The  breeding  season  has  been  said  to  cover  nearly  every  month  of 
the  year  in  Arizona,  and  in  the  Guadalupe  Mountains,  Texas,  we 
found  nests  with  eggs  the  latter  part  of  August. 


140  PIGEONS 

313.  Columba  flavirostris  Wagl    RED-BILLED  PIGEON. 

Adult  male.  —  Head,  neck,  and  under  parts  dull  pinkish  purple,  except 
for  tawny  chin,  slaty  belly  and  under  tail  coverts  ;  wing  coverts  with  red- 
dish brown  patch,  fore  part  of  neck  brownish,  hinder  part,  wings,  and  tail 
bluish  gray,  blackish  on  quills  and  end  of  tail.  Adult  female  :  similar  but 
smaller  and  duller.  Young  :  colors  dull,  tinged  with  ashy.  Length  :  13.75- 
14.00,  wing  about  7.50-7.80,  tail  5.40-5.50. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  parts  of  Texas  and  Lower  California, 
south  through  Mexico  and  Central  America. 

Nest. — A  platform  of  twigs,  in  thickets  or  groves  of  ash-trees.  Egg : 
white. 

The  red-billed  pigeon  was  found  by  Mr.  Sennett  in  the  timber  of 
the  lower  Rio  Grande.  He  says  it  is  a  secluded  bird,  and  that  its 
cooing  is  clear,  short,  and  rather  high-pitched. 

GENTJS  ECTOPISTES. 

315.  Ectopistes  migratorius  (Linn.).    PASSENGER  PIGEON. 
Tail  nearly  as  long  as  wing,  graduated,  the  feathers  narrow  and  pointed 

at  tips  ;  tarsus  short,  feathered  part  way  down  in  front ;  side  toes  unequal. 

Adult  male.  —  Head  and  neck  bluish  gray  ;  under  parts  deep  pinkish 
brown,  becoming  pinkish  on  sides  and  white  on  belly  ;  nape  and  sides  of 
head  glossed  with  metallic  reddish  purple  ;  wings  and  back  brown,  wings 
spotted  with  black ;  rump  bluish  gray,  tail  changing  from  blackish  on 
middle  feathers  to  white  on  outer  webs  of  outer  feathers  ;  inner  webs  with 
black  and  rufous  spots.  Adult  female :  similar  but  head  brownish,  pink 
of  under  parts  replaced  by  brown ;  metallic  gloss  less  distinct.  Young  : 
feathers  of  fore  parts  tipped  with  white,  giving  a  mottled  appearance, 
quills  edged  with  rusty.  Length:  15.00-17.25,  wing  8.00-8.50,  tail  8.20- 
8.75.  Female  somewhat  smaller. 

Distribution.  —  Formerly  eastern  North  America  from  Hudson  Bay 
southward,  and  west  to  the  plains  ;  accidental  in  Nevada  and  Washington. 
Now  nearly  extinct.  A  few  pairs  supposed  to  be  left  in  Canada,  Manitoba, 
Wisconsin,  and  Michigan. 

GENUS  ZENAIDUKA. 

316.  Zenaidura  macroura  (Linn.).    MOURNING  DOVE. 

Tail  of  fourteen  feathers,  graduated,  more  than  two  thirds  as  long  as 
wing ;  feathers  more  or  less  narrowed  at  tips ; 
wings  pointed  ;  tarsus  naked  ;  side  toes  of  unequal 
length,  the  outer  shortest ;  space  around  the  eye 
bare.  Adult  male :  tail  bordered  with  white  and 
with  subterminal  black  spots;  back  and  wings 
with  a  few  roundish  black  spots;  rest  of  upper 
p,.  208  parts  brown  ;  top  of  head  washed  with  bluish  gray, 

sides  of  head  with  blue-black  spot  and  pink 
iridescence ;  under  parts  brownish,  tinged  with  pink  on  breast.  Adult 
female:  similar  but  paler  throughout,  with  little  if  any  bluish  gray  on  head, 
black  ear  spot  smaller,  and  metallic  gloss  less  distinct.  Young:  duller 
than  female,  without  metallic  gloss  or  distinct  ear  spot;  feathers  of  upper 
parts  and  breast  with  grayish  tips.  Length:  11-13,  wing  5.70-6.10,  tail 
5.70-6.50,  bill  .50-.55. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones 


PIGEONS  141 

throughout  the  United  States,  and  southern  parts  of  Ontario,  Manitoba, 
and  British  Columbia,  migrating  to  Panama  and  the  West  Indies.  Migra- 
tory in  the  northern  part  of  its  range. 

Nest.  —  A  frail  platform  of  twigs  usually  on  a  flat  branch  10  to  20 
feet  from  the  ground,  but  also  on  the  ground,  on  cliffs,  in  cactus,  bushes, 
and  trees  as  high  as  50  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  :  usually  2,  white. 

Food.  —  Snails  and  other  mollusks,  millepeds,  cicadas  and  other  insects, 
grain,  weed  seeds,  acorns,  berries,  and  plant  tops. 

The  free,  swift  flight  of  the  mourning  dove  and  the  skill  with 
which  he  manages  his  airship  proclaim  him  a  traveler.  As  he 
shoots  by  overhead  he  cuts  the  air  with  the  hiss  of  a  bullet,  his 
plumage  almost  as  compact  and  smooth  as  the  nose  of  a  mauser, 
his  long  tail  narrowed  to  a  frictionless  knife-blade.  As  his  powerful 
wings  bear  him  swiftly  on,  their  least  turn  swerves  his  course,  but 
he  never  lessens  speed  till  the  goal  is  reached.  After  watching  him 
it  seems  small  wonder  that  he  should  be  a  cosmopolitan,  bound  to 
no  one  migration  route,  but  as  much  at  home  in  New  England  as 
Oregon,  in  Canada  as  southern  California. 

In  the  dry  part  of  Arizona  the  doves  often  nest  a  long  distance 
from  water,  but  fly  back  and  forth  to  it  in  pairs  or  small  companies 
twice  a  day.  The  old  mountaineers,  knowing  their  habits,  follow 
them  when  in  search  of  the  rare  water-holes. 

Although  the  doves  abound  in  remote  mountains  and  desert 
lands,  they  are  also  much  given  to  human  society,  and  often  nest 
around  barnyards  and  buildings,  where  they  pick  up  grain  that  has 
fallen  to  the  ground. 

As  many  of  the  doves  are  seen  in  pairs  during  the  winter,  Major 
Bendire  infers  that  a  number  remain  mated  throughout  the  year. 
He  renders  their  love-notes  as  c88,  c88,  r88;  m.88,  8a,  686,  888,  888. 

GENUS   LEPTOTILA. 

318.  Leptotilafulviventrisbrachyptera(Sa/ya(/.).  WHITE- 
FRONTED  DOVE. 

First  primary  abruptly  cut  out  near  end  ;  tail  much  shorter  than  wings, 
rounded,  feathers  twelve ;  tarsus  naked ;  side  toes  nearly  equal.  Adult 
male :  forehead  and  throat  whitish,  breast  pale  pinkish ;  rest  of  under 
parts  whitish  ;  back  of  head  and  fore  part  of  back  iridescent ;  rest  of 
upper  parts  dark  brown  ;  tail  becoming  blackish,  tipped  with  white  ; 
under  wing  coverts  and  axillars  deep  reddish  brown.  Adult  female  : 
similar  to  the  male  but  duller  colored,  and  metallic  gloss  less  distinct. 
Length:  11.50-12.50,  wings  6.00-6.50,  tail  4.25-4.50. 

Distribution.  —  Valley  of  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  in  Texas  and  south- 
ward to  Mexico  and  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  Rather  bulky  for  a  dove,  made  of  branches  and  straw,  and 
placed  usually  in  thorny  bushes.  Eggs  :  2,  cream  buff. 

Food.  —  Said  to  be  principally  fruit. 

The  white-fronted  dove  frequents  the  timber  of  the  lower  Rio 


142  PIGEONS 

Grande  valley,  where  it  may  be  found,  Mr.  Sennett  says,  by  the 
peculiar  note  which  distinguishes  it  from  all  other  pigeons. 

GENUS   MBLOPELIA. 

319.  Melopelia  leucoptera  (Linn.).    WHITE- WINGED  DOVE. 

Tail  rounded,  shorter  than  wing,  of  twelve  broad,  rounded  feathers ; 

wings  pointed  ;  bill  slender  and  length- 
ened, equaling-  tarsus ;  a  large  bare 
space  around  eye.  Adult  male  :  wing 
with  large  white  patch  on  coverts, 
conspicuous  against  black  quills  ;  tail 

bluish  gray,  broadly  tipped  with  white  preceded  by  black,  two  middle 
feathers  brown  ;  sides  of  head  with  bluish  black  spot  next  to  bronzy  iri- 
descent patch ;  top  of  head  and  neck  dull  pinkish ;  rest  of  upper  parts 
brownish,  except  for  bluish  gray  of  lower  back ;  under  parts  soft  fawn 
color,  fading  to  whitish.  Adult  female :  similar  but  smaller  and  duller. 
Young :  like  female  but  still  duller,  feathers  of  upper  parts  tipped  with 
paler  and  breast  with  rusty  tinge.  Length  :  11.00-12.25,  wing  6.30-6.80, 
tail  4.80-5.25. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  and  Tropical  zones  from 
Florida  and  Texas  to  Arizona,  and  south  through  Lower  California  and 
Mexico  to  Costa  Rica,  Cuba,  and  Jamaica.  Casual  in  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  A  frail  platform  of  interlaced  sticks,  lined  with  weeds,  dry 
grass,  and  often  mesquite  leaf  stems,  placed  in  mesquite,  walnut,  willow, 
or  cactus,  from  6  to  30  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  :  2,  white. 

Food.  —  Insects,  small  seeds,  grain,  berries,  mesquite  beans,  and  cactus 
fruit. 

As  the  jay  seems  a  part  of  the  mountain  forest,  the  horned  lark 
of  the  prairie,  and  the  sage  thrasher  inseparable  from  the  sagebrush 
plains,  so  the  white-winged  dove  belongs  to  the  hot  cactus  and 
mesquite  valleys  of  the  lower  Colorado,  Gila,  and  Rio  Grande. 
Though  often  seen  perching  on  a  giant  cactus,  its  life  is  largely 
spent  in  the  mesquite,  and  its  plump  form  is  so  constantly  seen 
through  the  thin  mesquite  foliage  that  it  comes  to  seem  almost  like 
a  fruit  of  the  tree.  Now  the  dove  is  only  perching  there,  beside  a 
water-pool,  now  on  a  branch  acting  as  sentinel  while  a  hungry  flock 
is  down  in  a  patch  of  wild  sunflower  or  the  wheatfield  of  the 
rancheria ;  but  in  the  nesting  season  it  has  taken  up  its  abode  in 
the  tree  and  is  building  its  nest  and  rearing  its  young  in  the  protec- 
tion of  the  thorny  branches. 

So  closely  is  it  associated  with  the  mesquite  country  that  even  its 
monotonous  whoo-hoo' -lioo-hoo  calls  up  pictures  of  desert  thorn-brush 
and  'dobe  walls,  over  which  the  large,  handsome  bird  is  flying  with 
white  bands  outspread  on  wings  and  tail.  Its  note  is  an  exaggerated 
form  of  the  coo  common  to  the  family.  To  make  it  the  dove  puffs 
out  his  throat  like  a  pouter  pigeon,  emitting  the  curious  hollow 
sound  which  is  more  suggestive  of  the  hooting  of  an  owl  than  the 
languid  cooing  of  a  dove.  VEKNON  BAILEY. 


PIGEONS  143 

GENUS   COLUMBIGALUNA. 

320a.  Columbigallina  passerina  pallescens  (Baird).   MEX- 
ICAN GROUND  DOVE. 

Wings  short  and  broad,  with  elongated  inner  secondaries  nearly  over- 
reaching primaries  in  the  folded  wing1 ;  tail  shorter  than  wing,,  nearly  even, 
of  twelve  broad  feathers ;  tarsus  as  long  as   middle  toe  without  claw. 
Adult  male:  back  of  head  and  neck  bluish,  feathers 
suggesting   scales ;    forehead,   sides   of   head,    and 
under  parts   pinkish  ;    breast  feathers   brown   cen- 
trally ;  upper  parts  grayish,  wings  with  inner  webs  Fig.  210. 
of  quills  bright  reddish  brown,  coverts  with  blue 

black  spots  ;  tail  nearly  even,  blackish,  except  for  middle  feathers  and 
white  corners.  Adult  female :  similar  but  much  duller,  pink  replaced  by 
pale  brownish,  blue  by  brownish  gray ;  spots  on  wing  coverts  brown. 
Young :  like  female  but  duller,  more  grayish  ;  feathers,  especially  on  upper 
parts,  tipped  with  whitish.  Wing :  3.30-3.60,  exposed  culmen  .42-.47. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  and  Tropical  zones  from  Texas 
to  Arizona  and  south  through  Lower  California  and  other  parts  of  Mexico 
to  Central  America. 

Nest.  —  Small  and  sometimes  compact,  of  twigs  or  plant  stalks,  some- 
times lined  with  a  few  straws,  placed  in  a  bush  or  tree  3  to  20  feet  from 
the  ground.  Eggs  :  2,  usually  white. 

Food.  —  Small  seeds,  grain,  and  berries. 

The  ground  dove  is  a  friendly  little  bird,  staying  wherever  it  can 
find  seeds  or  refuse  grain,  whether  it  be  in  town  streets,  horse  cor- 
rals, or  on  the  picket  line  of  an  army  post.  In  the  fall,  when  weed 
seeds  are  abundant,  Mr.  Herbert  Brown  has  seen  flocks  of  fifty  about 
Tucson,  Arizona,  but  ordinarily  they  are  in  pairs  or  small  flocks. 

GENUS    SCARDAFELLA. 

321.  Scardafella  inca  (Less.).    INCA  DOVE. 

Tail  double  rounded,  middle  and  outside  feathers  both  shorter  than 
those  between,  twelve  in  number,  all  narrow  and  tapering ;  tarsus  very 
short,  slightly  feathered  above.  Adults  :  whole 
body  apparently  scaled,-  upper  parts  brownish; 
inner  webs  of  wing  quills  mainly  reddish  brown  ; 
tail  brown  and  black,  two  outer  feathers  largely 
white  ;  under  parts  pale  grayish  pink,  changing  to  buff  on  belly ;  under 
wing  coverts  partly  black.  Young :  similar  but  duller,  and  upper  parts 
somewhat  mottled  by  occasional  whitish  tips  to  feathers.  Length :  8.00, 
wing  3.70-3.75,  tail  4.00-4.40. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  the  Rio  Grande 
valley  of  Texas  and  southern  Arizona ;  south  through  Lower  California 
and  other  parts  of  Mexico  to  Nicaragua. 

Nest.  —  In  cactus,  mesquite,  acacias,  or  small  oaks,  5  to  10  feet  from 
the  ground,  made  of  twigs  and  grasses.  Eggs  :  2,  white. 

These  dainty  little  doves  are  more  than  half  civilized.  You  find 
them  on  the  roads,  in  the  barnyard,  the  orchard,  and  the  village 
street  —  rarely  away  from  ground  trampled  by  man.  They  join 
the  poultry  at  breakfast,  and  pick  the  grain  that  is  scattered  along 


144  VULTURES 

the  roads,  gathering  the  weed  seeds  by  the  way.  From  their  quick 
motions  and  constant  haste  one  might  think  they  were  catching 
fleeing  grasshoppers  rather  than  stationary  seeds.  They  go  patter- 
ing about,  bobbing  their  heads  and  keeping  up  a  rapid,  hard  little 
cooing  that  has  scarcely  a  suggestion  of  the  soft  dove  tones.  In  the 
breeding  season  this  is  the  first  thing  heard  in  the  morning,  and  it 
is  kept  up  well  into  the  glowing  heat  of  the  day,  usually  given 
from  the  ground,  but  sometimes  from  the  branches  of  trees. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 


ORDER   RAPTORES:    BIRDS    OP   PREY. 
(FAMILIES  CATHARTIDJE,  FALCONID^E,  STRIGHXE, 

FAMILY   CATHARTHX5I :   VULTURES. 

KEY  TO  GENERA. 

1.  Wing  30  or  more Gymnogyps,  p.  144. 

1'.  Wing  less  than  25. 

2.  Head  red Cathartes,  p.  145. 

2'.  Head  black Catharista,  p.  146. 

GENUS  GYMBTOGYPS. 

324.  Gymnogyps  californianus  (Shaw).  CALIFORNIA  VUL- 
TURE: CONDOR. 

Wing  30  or  more  ;  head  and  entire  neck  bare,  skin  smooth  ;  plumage  of 
under  parts  lanceolate  or  pencillate  ;  head  much  elongated,  forehead  flat- 
tened ;  nostril  small,  its  anterior  end  acute  ;  bill  small,  mandibles  broader 
than  deep  ;  wings  folding  to  or  beyond  end  of  square  tail.  Adults  :  head 
and  ueck  bare,  yellow,  or  orange  in  life  ;  bill  whitish  or  pale  yellowish  ; 
plumage  sooty  blackish  ;  outer  webs  of  greater  wing  coverts  and  second- 
aries grayish,  wing  coverts  tipped  with  white  and  outer  secondaries  edged 
with  white ;  axillars  and  under  wing  coverts  pure  whif  Young :  like 
adults,  but  neck  more  or  less  covered  with  sooty  grayish  down,  bill  and 
naked  skin  blackish  ;  brown  edgings  of  feathers  of  upper  parts  producing 
a  scaled  effect ;  white  of  under  wings  and  gray  webbing  of  coverts  and 
secondaries  wanting.  Length  :  44-55,  extent  S£  to  nearly  11  feet ;  weight 
20-25  pounds,  wing  30-35,  tail  15-18,  bill  1.50. 

Remarks. — The  vulture  can  be  distinguished  in  the  field  by  its  great 
size  and  its  white  under  wing  coverts. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  ranges  of  southern  California  from  Monterey  Bay 
south  to  Lower  California,  and  east  to  Arizona. 

Nest .  —  A  cavity  or  recess  among  rocks,  or  hollow  in  a  stump,  log,  oi> 
tree  trunk.  Eggs :  1  or  2,  plain  grayish  green,  or  greenish  white. 

Food.  —  Carrion, 

To  come  upon  the  California  vulture  alive  and  free  is  like  sud- 
denly coming  to  a  giant  sequoia  towering  above  the  forest.  The 
sequoia  awes  you  with  the  feeling  of  immensity,  and  the  forest 


VULTURES  145 

trees  that  you  had  looked  up  to  as  very  large  are  suddenly  dwarfed. 
The  same  thrill  strikes  you  when  overhead  the  great  wings  of  the 
vulture  spread  out  and  with  mighty  strokes  carry  the  huge  bird  in 
wide  circles  up  through  the  sky;  and,  as  you  look  down,  the  turkey 
buzzards  sailing  below  seem  little  more  than  circling  swallows. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

The  sight  of  a  single  California  vulture  is  more  than  is  vouch- 
safed to  most  naturalists,  but  in  1894  Mr.  Stephens  actually  en- 
countered a  flock  of  twenty-six  of  these  magnificent  birds. 

The  condor  is  certainly  one  of  the  glories  of  the  splendid  state  of 
California,  and  every  patriotic  naturalist  should  do  his  part  to  enforce 
the  law  for  its  protection. 

GENUS  CATHARTES. 
325.-  Cathartes  aura  (Linn.).    TURKEY  VULTURE. 

Whole  head  and  upper  part  of  neck  naked,  the  skin  corrugated  and 
sparingly  bristled  ;  nostrils  large,  elliptical  ;  wings 
long,  pointed,  folding  to  or  beyond  the  short  round  tail. 
Adults  :  head  bare  and  crimson  in  life,  bill  white  ; 
lores  and  top  of  head  sometimes  with  wart-like  papil- 
lae ;  neck  and  under  parts  dull  black  ;  upper  parts 
blackish  glossed  with  green  and  purple,  feathers 
broadly  edged  with  grayish  brown,  secondaries  edged 
with  gray  ;  shafts  of  quills  and  tail  feathers  varying 
from  pale  brown  to  yellowish  white.  Young  :  like 
adults,  but  bill  and  naked  skin  blackish,  brownish  margins  to  wing  cov- 
erts less  distinct.  Length  :  26-32,  extent  about  6  feet,  wing  20-23,  tail 
11-12,  bill  1. 

Distribution.  —  '•  Breeds  throughout  most  of  temperate  and  tropical  Amer- 
ica, from  the  Saskatchewan  south  to  Patagonia. 

Eggs.  —  Laid  in  a  cavern,  a  cavity  between  rocks,  or  a  hollow  in  a  log, 
stump,  or  tree  trunk  ;  2,  white,  buffy,  or  greenish  white,  more  or  less 
spotted  or  blotched  with  rich  brown  and  purplish  gray. 

Food.  — 


One  of  the  most  familiar  sights  in  southern  and  western  skies  is 
the  dark  'form  of  the  turkey  buzzard  circling  and  soaring  on  out- 
spread wings,  its  black  body  figure,  as  seen  from  below,  set  in  a 
bordering  of  gray  wing.  As  the  birds  float  in  the  sky  apparently 
wafted  by  every  passing  breeze  they  are  keeping  a  sharp  lookout 
over  the  land  outspread  beneath  them,  and  so  quickly  discover  any 
carrion  that  the  ranchmen,  who  are  numbered  among  their  con- 
stituents, find  it  quite  unnecessary  to  bury  their  offal,  depending 
entirely  upon  the  good  offices  of  this  self-constituted  garbage  com- 
mittee of  Nature's  Board  of  Health.  Along  the  Columbia  River  the 
buzzards  dispose  of  the  dead  fish  on  the  shores. 

From  the  character  of  their  food  and  their  habit  of  eating  on  the 
ground  instead  of  carrying  their  quarry  to  a  tree,  the  bills  and  feet 


146  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

of  the  vultures  are  modified  from  the  hawk  types.  The  bill  is  less 
sharply  pointed  and  powerful,  while  the  feet  instead  of  having 
curved  talons  have  an  elongated  middle  toe  well  adapted  to  walking 
on  the  ground,  or  steadying  the  large  body  as  the  bird  suinds  on  the 
carrion  it  is  devouring. 

When  walking,  the  vultures  often  hold  their  wings  out  at  their 
sides,  harpy  fashion  ;  and  sometimes  as  they  rise  they  fly  so  low  over 
your  head  that  you  hear  a  loud  puff,  puff^  puff,  puff,  as  they  flap  past. 

While  usually  solitary  or  in  scattered  companies  they  gather 
quickly  at  a  carcass,  and  at  night  often  assemble  in  large  flocks  to 
roost  in  a  favorite  grove  of  cottonwoods.  Mr.  Evermann  reports  over 
a  hundred  roosting  in  a  eucalyptus  grove. 

GENUS   CATHARISTA. 

326.  Catharista  urubu  (VieUL).    BLACK  VULTURE. 

Head  naked,  but  feathers  of  neck  running  up  behind  to  a  point  on  the 
back  of  the  head  ;  nostrils  narrow  ;  wings  not  folding  to  the  end  of  the 
short,  even,  or  emarginate  tail.  Adults :  head  bare,  blackish,  bill  blackisb, 
with  yellowish  or  whitish  tip ;  whole  body  dull  black ;  wing  quills  with 
white  sbaf ts,  and  webbing  on  under  side  hoary  whitish.  Length :  23-27, 
extent  about  54,  wing  16.50-17.50,  tail  7.50-8.50,  bill  .90-.95. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  and  Tropical  zones  from  the 
Atlantic  to  western  Texas,  and  from  North  Carolina,  Indiana,  and  Kansas 
south  over  most  of  South  America.  Straggles  to  New  England  and  South 
Dakota. 

Eggs.  —  Laid  on  the  ground  under  bushes  or  logs,  or  on  rocks  ;  1  to  3, 
pale  grayish  green,  irregularly  marked  around  the  larger  end  with  brown 
and  sometimes  lavender. 

Food.  —  Carrion. 

Although  the  turkey  buzzard  and  black  vultures  resemble  each 
other  in  general,  you  can  recognize  the  black  vulture  in  the  sky  at 
a  glance  by  the  shortness  of  its  square  tail.  You  also  come  to  dis- 
tinguish its  flight,  for  while  a  turkey  buzzard  sails  around  smoothly 
on  a  level,  the  black  vulture's  short  wings  and  abbreviated  tail  often 
give  its  body  a  peculiar  tilt  and  a  bat-like  effect  of  climbing  up  the 
air.  In  flying  to  the  ground,  its  whitish  under  wing  tips  are  a 
striking  character. 

FAMILY   FALCONIDJE:   FALCONS,    HAWKS,   EAGLES, 

ETC. 

KEY   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Wing  17-21. 


2.  Claws  all  the  same  length,  rounded  on  under  side. 

Fandion,  p.  172 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


147 


2'.  Claws,  not  all  the  same  length,  grooved  on  under  side. 

3.  Tarsus  feathered  to  base  of  toes Aquila,  p.  163. 

3'.  Tarsus  not  feathered  to  base  of  toes  ....  Haliaeetus,  p.  165. 

2.  Wing  with  only  one  or  two  quills  cut  out  on     KjLvL-vOO^~i 
inner  webs.  Fig.  214. 

3.  Nostril  circular,  with  conspicuous  bony  tubercle. 
•  Falco,  p.  165. 

Fig.  215.      3'.  Nostrl  not  circular,  without  bony  tubercle. 


4.  Tail  deeply  forked. 

Elanoides,  p.  148. 


Fig.  216. 


4'.  Tail  not  deeply  forked. 
Fig.  217.  5.  Tarsus  minutely  scaled  in  front     .     .   Blanus,  p.  148. 

5'.  Tarsus  coarsely  scaled  in  front. 

Ictinia,  p.  149. 
2'.  Wing  with  three  to  five  quills  cut  out  on  inner 

webs. 
3.  Face  with  owl-like  ruff  of  stiff  feathers.  Fig.  218. 

Circus,  p.  150. 
3'.  Face  without  owl-like  ruff  of  stiff  feathers. 

4.  Legs  feathered  to  toes Archibuteo,  p.  162. 

4'.  Legs  not  feathered  to  toes. 


5.  Nostrils  oblique  and  linear,  slanting  forward  to  cut- 
ting edge  of  bill .    ...     .    .    Polyborus,  p.  171. 


5'.  Nostrils  not  oblique  or  linear. 

6.  Tail  decidedly  more  than  two  thirds   as  long  as 

wing. 

7.  Lores  nearly  naked   .     .     .  Parabuteo,  p.  154. 

7'.  Lores  densely  feathered     .    Accipiter,  p.  151. 

6'.  Tail  not  more  than  two  thirds  as  long  as  wing. 

7.  Primaries   exceeding    secondaries   by  less    than 

naked  front  of  tarsus    .    Urubitinga,  p.  160. 

7'.  Primaries  exceeding  secondaries  by  much  more 

than  naked  front  of  tarsus. 

8.  Adults  with  under  parts  barred  gray  and 
white  ;  wing  less  than  four  times  as  long  as 

tarsus Asturina,  p.  161. 

8'.  Adults  with  under  parts  not  barred  gray  and 
white  ;  wing  more  than  four  times  as  long  as 
tarsus Buteo,  p.  155. 


148 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


Biological  Survey,  f 
Agriculture. 


GENUS  ELANOIDES. 

327.  Elanoides  forficatus  (Linn.).    SWALLOW-TAILED  KITE. 
Wings  long-,  slender,  acute  ;  tail  forked,   and  nearly  as  long  as   wing  ; 

feet  short  but  stout;  tarsus  feathered 
about  half  way  down  in  front ;  bill  rather 
weak.  Adults  :  white  ;  back,  wings,  and 
tail  black,  bloomed  with  gray ;  lesser  wing 
coverts  bronzy  purple. .  Young  :  head 
and  neck  streaked,  back  brownish,  with 
greenish  instead  of  purple  gloss ;  wings 
and  tail  feathers  narrowly  tipped  with 
white.  Length  :  19.50-25.50,  wing  15.40- 
17-70,  outer  tail  feathers  12.50-14.50,  bill 
.70-.80. 

Distribution.  —  From  Assiniboia  south 
to  South  America,  and,  in  the  United 
States,  from  the  Carolinas  west  to  the 
Plains ;  casually  to  Colorado  and  south- 
ern New  England.  Breeds  irregularly 
throughout  its  United  States  range. 

Nest.  —  In  tops  of  tall  trees,  usually 
near  watercourses,  made  of  dry  twigs  and 
sometimes  of  gray  moss.  Eggs  :  1  to  4, 
white  or  buffy,  boldly  spotted  or  blotched, 
chiefly  around  larger  end,  with  browns. 
Fig.  220.  Food.  —  Mainly  reptiles  and  insects. 

The  swallow-tailed  kite  lives  mainly  on  the  wing  and  by  virtue  of 
its  long  tail  has  a  remarkably  graceful  flight.  When  hunting  it 
flies  close  to  the  ground  like  a  marsh  hawk,  but  at  other  times  sails 
above  the  treetops,  sometimes  so  far  above  that  it  takes  a  good  eye 
to  see  it.  The  kite  picks  up  both  food  and  nesting  materials  while 
on  the  wing,  carrying  its  food  in  its  talons  and  eating  as  it  goes. 
Its  call-notes  have  been  given  as  a  shrill,  keen  e-e-e  or  we-we-we,  uttered 
in  a  high  key  which  carries  a  long  distance. 

GENUS  ELANUS. 

328.  Elanus  leucurus  (Vieill).    WHITE-TAILED  KITE. 

Bill  rather  weak  and  compressed;  feet  very  small;  tarsus  feathered 
half  way  down  in  front,  and  below  covered  with  minute  roundish  scales ; 
claws  not  grooved  beneath  ;  hind  toe  very  short,  claws  all  small  and  little 
curved ;  wings  nearly  or  about  twice  as  long  as  tail,  pointed,  first  and 
second  quills  emarginate,  the  feathers  broad,  obtuse  at  tips.  Adults : 
under  parts  white,  upper  parts  plain  bluish  gray,  except  for  white  top  of 
head  and  tail,  and  black  patches  around  eye  and  on  shoulders.  Young:  re- 
sembling adults,  but  tinged  with  rusty,  extensively  on  under  parts  ;  upper 
parts  indistinctly  streaked ;  wing  feathers  tipped  with  white ;  tail  with  an 
indistinct  subterminal  dusky  band.  Length  :  15.15-16.75,  wing  11.50- 
13.30,  tail  5.90-7.40,  bill  .65-.80. 

Distribution.  —  Tropical  America,  except  the  West  Indies  ;  north  in  the 
United  States  to  about  the  latitude  of  San  Francisco  on  the  Pacific  coast, 
St.  Louis  in  the  interior,  and  South  Carolina  in  the  east. 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC.  149 

Nest .  —  Generally  in  live  oaks,  made  of  wigs,  lined  with  stubble  and 
grasses.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  ground  color  white,  heavily  marked  over  entire 
surface  with  blotches  of  red  and  brown. 

Food.  —  Small  snakes,  lizards,  frogs,  and  insects  such  as  grasshoppers 
and  beetles. 

The  white-tailed  kites  frequent  lowland  valleys,  breeding  when 
possible  near  streams  or  marshes,  where  they  hide  their  nests  in  the 
tops  of  oaks  or  willows. 

Their  flight,  Mr.  Chester  Barlow  says,  is  graceful  and  often  quite 
rapid,  though  it  lacks  the  dash  of  the  falcons.  When  hunting  early 
in  the  morning,  both  birds  often  go  together,  when  they  may  be 
seen  hovering  motionless  in  the  air  like  sparrow  hawks.  Their 
principal  call-note  Mr.  Barlow  gives  as  a  plaintive  musical  whistle. 

The  kites  are  resident  in  the  oak  groves  of  Santa  Clara  Valley,  and 
frequent  the  marshes  about  San  Francisco  Bay,  where  Mr.  W.  K. 
Fisher  has  found  them  catching  large  numbers  of  the  California 
meadow  mouse. 

GENUS  ICTIJSTIA. 

329.  Ictinia  mississippiensis  (Wils.).    MISSISSIPPI  KITE. 

Bill  small  but  robust,  cutting  edge  of  upper  mandible  scalloped ;  wings 
and  tail  moderate,  two  outer  primaries 
emarginate  on  inner  web,  and  next  two 
sinuate  ;  feet  short  and  stout ;  tarsus  scan- 
tily feathered  about  half  way  down  in 
front,  then  crossed  by  large  scales  ;  outer 
and  middle  toes  connected  by  web  for  whole 
length  of  basal  joint  of  middle  toe  ;  claws 
stout,  much  curved.  Adults :  head  and 
band  across  wing  grayish  white ;  under 
parts  dark  gray  ;  upper  parts  bluish  slate,  with 
black  tail  and  long  black  wing  quills  ;  quills 
with  dull  reddish  brown  webbing.  Young: 
head  streaked  black  and  white,  whiter 
on  throat ;  under  parts  whitish,  heavily 
streaked  with  dark  brown  and  buffy  ;  upper 
parts  blackish,  feathers  with  convex  edges 
brown,  gray,  or  white ;  tail  and  wing  quills 
black  tipped  with  white,  and  without  rufous 
webbing.  Length :  13.00-15.50,  wing  10.60- 
12.30,  tail  6-7. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  chiefly  in  Lower  From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept. 
Sonoran  zone   of  the  southeastern  United  o?  Agriculture. 

States,  westward  to  western  Texas,  south 

to  Guatemala ;  casually  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  to  Pennsylvania,  Wiscon- 
sin, and  Dakota. 

Nest.  —  Usually  an  old  one  of  its  own  or  some  other  bird,  in  a  high  tree- 
top;  remodeled  by  patching  up  the  sides  with  a  few  sticks  and  lining 
with  Spanish  moss  or  green  leaves.  Eggs:  2  or  3,  pale  bluish  green, 
unspotted. 

Food.  —  Lizards,  small  snakes,  and  frogs,  together  with  insects,  such  as 
the  larger  beetles,  grasshoppers,  and  locusts. 


350  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

This  sturdy  little  kite,  with  its  quick  flight  and  graceful  form  and 
motions,  has  much  the  appearance  of  a  falcon,  but  its  weak  bill  and 
talons  give  it  an  un-falcon-like  character  and  mode  of  life.  Its  prey, 
instead  of  being  birds  and  mammals,  is  mainly  of  such  low  order  as 
insects,  snakes,  and  frogs,  and  its  hunting  consequently  lacks  the 
excitement  of  the  chase.  It  is  seen  flying  low  over  the  prairies 
among  the  brush  patches,  or  going  from  tree  to  tree  along  the 
streams.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS   CIRCUS. 

331.  Circus  hudsonius  (Linn.).    MARSH  HAWK. 

Bill  with  conspicuous  bristles  ;  face  encircled  by  an  owl-like  ruff  of  short 
feathers ;  tarsus  slender,  much  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw ;  a  basal 
web  between  middle  and  outer  toes ;  claws  large  and  sharp,  much  curved  ; 
four  outer  primaries  cut  out  on  inner  webs,  second  to  fifth  on  outer  webs. 
Adult  male :  body  bluish  slate,  streaked  with  white  and  becoming  pure 
white  on  rump  and  belly ;  under  parts  lightly  specked  with  reddish  brown  ; 
tail  with  6  or  8  bands,  one  nearest  end  widest  and  blackest ;  tips  of  wing 
black.  Adult  female  and  young :  brown  or  rusty,  more  or  less  streaked. 
Length:  19.50-24.00,  wing  12.90-16.00,  tail 8.80-10.50. 

Remarks.  —  The  facial  ruff  and  large  white  rump  patch  are  enough  to 
distinguish  the  marsh  hawk  in  any  plumage. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Alaska  and  Hudson  Bay  to  the  southern 
border  of  the  United  States  and  winters  from  about  latitude  40°  southward 
to  Panama  and  Cuba. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  a  marsh  or  prairie  on  the  ground  among  rushes,  grass, 
or  bushes,  made  of  dry  grass  strengthened  with  sticks  and  lined  sparsely 
with  feathers.  Eggs :  generally  4  to  6,  pale  greenish  or  bluish  white,  plain, 
or  blotched  and  spotted  with  pale  buff  and  brownish. 

Food.  —  Largely  meadow  mice,  young  squirrels,  rabbits,  and  ground 
squirrels ;  also  lizards,  frogs,  snakes,  birds,  and  insects. 

Marsh  hawk  and  mouse  hawk  are  both  appropriate  names  for  these 
soft-winged  still-hunters.  Fields,  marshes,  and  prairies  are  their 
hunting  grounds,  and  you  may  see  them  sailing  slowly  and  smoothly 
just  above  the  surface  of  the  grass  tops,  with  round  owl-like  face 
and  large  eyes  turned  to  the  ground  beneath,  and  wings  ready  for  a 
quick  dive.  Woe  to  the  mouse  or  gopher  that  moves  in  the  grass 
under  those  eyes  !  Birds  are  not  such  easy  prey,  and  few  are  cap- 
tured except  wounded  game  birds.  Broken-winged  quail,  grouse, 
or  ducks  are  not  left  to  suffer  long.  They  are  quickly  discovered 
and  eaten. 

The  intelligent  farmer  usually  recognizes  the  value  of  this  hawk 
and  the  fact  that  it  almost  never  touches  his  poultry.  He  sees  it 
skimming  over  his  meadows  and  diving  into  the  grass  for  mice,  and 
wisely  lets  it  live ;  but  nevertheless  he  would  be  surprised  if  he 
could  figure  out  how  many  dollars  it  saves  him  during  the  year. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 


MARSH   HAWK 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


151 


GENUS  ACCIPITER. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  small,  wings  short,  tail  and  legs  long ;  three 
to  five  outer  primaries  cut  out  on  inner  webs;  tail  square  or  rounded, 
about  equal  to  length  of  wing. 

KEY   TO  ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Under  parts  gray,  finely  barred  with  zigzag  lines. 

2.  Upper  parts  clear  bluish  gray atricapillus,  p.  152. 

2'.  Upper  parts  slaty  blue  inclining  to  sooty  .  .  .  striatulus,  p.  153. 
1'.  Under  parts  white,  coarsely  barred  with  reddish  brown. 

2.  Tail  rounded cooperii,  p.  152. 

2'.  Tail  even  or  emarginate velox,  p.  151. 

Subgenus  Accipiter. 
Length  20  or  less ;  tarsus  feathered  for  one  third  or  less  of  its  length. 

332.  Accipiter  velox  ( Wils.).    SHARP-SHINNED  HAWK. 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  white,  heavily  barred  and  spotted  with  reddish 
brown ;  upper  parts  nearly  uniform  bluish  gray ;  tail  even  or  slightly  notched, 
with  three  or  four  narrow  blackish  bands, 
and  narrow  white  tip.  Adult  female :  similar, 
but  duller,  less  blue  above,  less  reddish  below. 
Young :  upper  parts  dark  brown,  edged  with 
rusty  and  with  hints  of  white  spotting ;  under 
parts  white,  often  tinged  with  buffy,  streaked 
vertically  with  brown  ;  sides  and  flanks  barred 
with  reddish  brown.  Male:  length  10.00-11.50, 
wing  6.10-7.10,  tail  5.80-6.10.  Female:  length 
12.50-14.00,  wing  7.80-8.80,  tail  6.60-8.20. 

Remarks.  —  The  young  are  decidedly  larger 
than  the  adults,  and  the  breast  markings  are 
vertical  instead  of  horizontal. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  throughout  the  United 
States,  and  in  the  British  provinces  as  far  north 
as  the  Arctic  circle ;  winters  from  40°  north  ; 
southward  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  A  remodeled  one  of  crow,  magpie, 
or  squirrel,  or  if  new,  made  of  dry  sticks  sparsely 
lined  with  inner  bark  or  green  leaves ;  placed 
usually  in  a  dense  conifer,  about  twenty  feet 
from  the  ground.  Eggs :  4  or  5,  pale  bluish  or  greenish  white,  fading  to 
dull  grayish  white,  most  irregularly  and  heavily  blotched,  spotted,  and 
marbled  with  brown ;  in  some  specimens  ground  color  almost  hidden  by 
confluent  brown  markings. 

Food.  —  Chiefly  birds  and  young  poultry,  with  a  few  mice,  reptiles, 
batrachians,  and  insects. 

Among  the  hawks  the  sharp-shinned  is  a  veritable  bushwhacker. 
His  light  body,  short  wings,  and  long  tail  enable  him  to  double  and 
turn  among  the  brush  and  branches,  and  in  a  noiseless,  fox-like  way 
pounce  over  a  hedgerow  or  brush  heap  into  the  midst  of  a  flock  of 
sparrows,  swoop  under  the  low  branches  and  pick  his  bird  from  the 
ground,  or  dart  through  the  treetops  and  snatch  one  in  mid  air  from 
the  midst  of  a  startled  flock. 


n  Biological  Survey,  U.  S. 
Dept.  of  Agriculture. 
Fig.  222. 


152 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


His  small  size  is  so  much  more  than  compensated  by  his  audacity 
that  one  bird  often  becomes  the  terror  of  a  poultry  yard,  taking  the 
small  and  half-grown  chickens  regularly  and  sometimes  killing  and 
eating  a  full-grown  hen  of  many  times  its  own  weight. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

333.  Accipiter  cooperii  (Bonap.).    COOPER  HAWK. 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  white,  heavily  spotted  and  barred  with  red- 
dish brown;  top  of  head  black  contrasted  with 
bluish  gray  of  back  ;  tail  rounded,  with  3  or  4 
black  bands  and  narrow  white  tip.  A.dult 
female :  upper  parts  duller  and  less  bluish 
than  in  male  ;  top  of  head  more  brown- 
ish black ;  hind  neck  and  sides  of  head 
washed  with  dull  rusty.  Young :  upper 
parts  dark  brown,  with  rusty  edgings  and 
suggestion  of  white  spotting ;  under  parts 
streaked  vertically.  Male  :  length  14-17, 
wing  8.85-9.40,  tail  7.80-8.30.  Female: 
length  18-20,  wing  10.10-11.00,  tail  9.00- 
10.50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds    throughout    the 
United   States   and  southern  British   Pro- 


From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  l>pt 
ot  Agriculture. 

Fig.  223. 


vinces,  wintering  regularly  from  about  lati- 
tude -40°  southward  to  southern  Mexico, 
though  occasionally  staying  in  southern 
Canada. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  20  to  50  feet  from  the 
ground,  often  a  remodeled  one  of  other 
hawks,  crows,  or  squirrels,  bulky,  made  of 
large  sticks  and  lined  with  rough  outer 
bark.  Eggs :  usually  4  or  5,  pale  bluish 

white  to  greenish   white,  unspotted  or  faintly  and  irregularly  scrawled 

with  brown  or  pale  buffy. 

Food.  —  Almost  entirely  wild  birds  and  poultry,  but  occasionally  small 

mammals,  reptiles,  batrachians,  and  insects. 

1 '  Cooper's  hawk,  which  resembles  the  sharp-shinned  hawk  closely  in 
everything  except  size,  is  less  northern  in  its  distribution.  .  .  .  The 
food  of  this  hawk,  like  that  of  its  smaller  congener,  consists  almost 
entirely  of  wild  birds  and  poultry,  though  from  its  superior  size  and 
strength  it  is  able  to  cope  successfully  with  much  larger  birds,  and 
hence  is  much  more  to  be  dreaded.  .  .  .  The  flight  of  this  species 
is  very  rapid,  irregular,  and  usually  is  carried  at  no  great  height 
from  the  ground,  in  all  these  particulars  closely  resembling  that  of 
the  sharp-shinned  hawk."  (Fisher.) 

Subgenus  Astur. 
Length  over  20  ;  tarsus  feathered  for  about  one  half  its  length. 

334.  Accipiter  atricapillus  (Wils.).    AMERICAN  GOSHAWK. 

Bare  portion  of  leg  in  front  shorter  than  middle  toe  ;  wing  more  than 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


153 


From   Biological    Su 


Agriculture. 
Fig.  224.     Goshawk. 


U.  S.  Dept.  of 


12  inches.  Adults :  under  parts  with 
whitish  ground  uniformly  covered  with 
finely  penciled  gray  zigzags,  touched  up 
with  dark  shaft  streaks;  upper  parts 
dark  bluish  gray,  with  black  shaft  streaks, 
and  becoming  black  on  head  ;  tail  bluish 
gray,  more  or  less  tipped  with  white  and 
crossed  by  about  four  dusky  bands, 
sometimes  obsolete  on  the  upper  sur- 
face. Young :  upper  parts  dull  brown, 
head  and  neck  streaked  with  buffy  sal- 
mon, and  rest  of  upper  parts  spotted  and 
edged  with  pale  buffy  and  whitish ; 
under  parts  bright  buffy,  broadly 
streaked  with  dark  brown.  Male  : 
length  22.00,  wing  12.00-13.25,  tail  9.50- 
10.50.  Female  :  length  24.50,  wing  13.50- 
14.25,  tail  11.50-12.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  northern  and 
eastern  North  America,  chiefly  north  of 
the  United  States  but  west  to  eastern 
parts  of  Washington  and  Oregon,  and 
south  in  the  Rocky  Mountains  as  far  as 
central  New  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Placed  high  up  in  a  large 
tree,  generally  an  evergreen,  a  bulky  compact  mass  of  twigs,  lined  with 
soft  inner  bark,  weed  stalks,  or  leaves,  surrounded  by  loosely  arranged 
sticks.  Eggs  :  2  to  5,  pale  bluish  white,  unspotted. 

Food.  —  Rabbits  and  other  rodents,  but  mainly  poultry,  ducks,  grouse, 
and  smaller  birds. 

As  the  goshawk  breeds  in  the  mountains  or  in  the  far  north  it  is 
little  in  evidence  except  in  winter,  but  then  it  comes  down  into  the 
valleys  and  even  out  over  the  deep  snow  of  the  middle  prairies. 

Game  birds  and  poultry  suffer  more  from  it  than  from  any  hawk, 
and  its  rapid  flight,  size,  strength,  and  daring  combine  to  make  it 
the  most  destructive  of  the  American  birds  of  prey. 

334a.  A.  a.  striatulus  Bidgw.    WESTERN  GOSHAWK. 

Like  A.  atricapillus  but  darker  ;  upper  parts  from  dark  bluish  gray  to 
sooty  black ;  under  parts  dark  gray,  more  heavily  mottled,  and  marked 
with  dark  shaft  streaks ;  belly  and  thighs  barred.  Young  :  upper  parts 
brownish  black,  with  buffy  and  rusty  streakings  and  edgings ;  stripes  on 
lower  parts  broader  than  in  A.  atricapillus,  and  deep  black ;  tail  with  four 
blackish  bands. 

Distribution.  —  From  Sitka  south  to  California  and  Idaho,  and  east  to 
Colorado. 

Nest.  —  In  tall  trees,  made  of  sticks  lined  with  juniper  or  other  bark, 
grass,  tree  moss,  weed  stalks,  and  pine  needles.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  indistin- 
guishable from  those  of  A.  atricapillus. 

Food.  —  Especially  game  birds,  such  as  sooty,  ruffed,  and  sharp-tailed 
grouse. 

"  According  to  my  observations,  the  general  habits  of  the  western 


154  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

goshawk  are  very  similar  to  those  of  its  eastern  relative.  It  is 
equally  destructive  to  small  game  of  all  kinds  ...  as  well  as  to 
the  fowls  of  the  poultry  yard.  While  nowhere  abundant,  it  seems 
to  be  pretty  generally  distributed  throughout  the  Blue  Mountain 
region  of  Oregon  and  Washington,  and  breeds  in  suitable  localities 
where  food  is  plenty.  During  spring  and  summer  it  is  seldom  seen 
in  the  more  open  districts,  though  it  is  abundant  enough  later  on, 
when  the  heavy  snows  drive  the  game  into  the  foothills  and  lower 
valleys.  .  .  .  Besides  a  shrill  scream  of  anger,  they  have  a  call-note 
resembling  the  word  '  keeah,  keeah,'  or  '  kree-ali,'  frequently  re- 
peated, this  note  being  often  uttered  in  the  early  spring."  (Bendire.) 

GENUS  PARABUTEO. 

335.  Parabuteo  unicinctus  harrisi  (And.}.    HARRIS  HAWK. 

Lores  nearly  naked  and  bristled  ;  middle  toe  much  shorter  than  naked 
front  of  tarsus ;  inner  webs  of  five  outer  quills  cut  out.  Adults :  upper 
parts  dark  brown,  reddish  brown  on  shoulders,  under  wing  coverts  and 
thighs  ;  tail  black  with  white  base,  white  coverts,  and  broad  white  band  at 
tip.  Young :  under  parts  broadly  streaked  witb  dark  brown  on  buffy  and 
whitish  ground ;  upper  parts  dark  brown,  streaked  on  head  and  neck  with 
yellowish  brown  ;  back  marked  with  rufous,  scapulars  deep  rufous ;  rump 
white ;  tail  like  adult,  but  with  white  terminal  band  narrower,  and  inner 
webs  of  feathers  barred.  Male:  length  17.50-21.00,  wing  12.35-13.75, 
tail  9.80-10.20,  bill  .90-.95.  Female:  length  21-24,  wing  14.25-14.50,  tail 
10.80-11.00,  bill  1.08-1.10. 

Distribution.  —  From  Mississippi  to  southern  California,  and  south 
through  Lower  California  and  other  parts  of  Mexico  to  Panama. 

Nest.  —  A  platform  of  sticks,  lined  with  grass,  bark,  moss,  and  roots 
placed  in  cactus,  Spanish  bayonet,  mesquite,  or  other  trees.  Eggs  :  2  to  4, 
soiled  white,  occasionally  greenish,  unmarked,  or  spotted  lightly  with  pale 
brown  or  lavender. 

Food.  —  Largely  offal,  mammals,  small  reptiles,  and  occasionally  birds. 

In  southern  Texas  the  rich  rufous  marks  and  swift,  clear-cut  flight 
of  the  Harris  hawk  soon  become  pleasantly  familiar,  for  he  is  one  of 
the  hawks  that  are  both  common  and  tame  on  the  coast  prairies.  He 
is,  so  tame  that  as  you  drive  by  a  telegraph  pole  on  which  he  is  perch- 
ing he  will  sometimes  stand  calmly  on  one  foot  looking  down  upon 
you  with  statue-like  indifference.  In  the  mesquite  thickets  you 
may  meet  one  at  close  quarters  as  he  dashes  under  the  thorny  bushes 
in  quest  of  wood  rats,  ground  squirrels,  and  the  small  game  that 
abounds  in  these  dwarf  forests  ;  and  sometimes,  as  happened  one 
day  when  we  drove  along  the  Nueces  River,  you  will  see  him  sit- 
ting on  a  low  branch  feasting  on  a  wood  rat  captured  at  the  door  of 
its  stick  house  close  by.  If  you  chance  near  the  hawks'  nest  a  long 
harsh  Buteo-like  scream  may  make  you  look  up  to  find  one  or  both 
anxious  birds  circling  overhead.  A  nest  that  was  pointed  out  to 
me  by  the  owners  in  Texas  was  in  the  top  of  a  moss-hung  hack- 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


155 


berry,  and  on  climbing  the  tree  I  found  a  heavy  platform  of  sticks 
three  feet  wide  lined  with  Spanish  moss.  The  young  blundered  out 
on  my  approach,  showing  the  nest  to  be  fairly  covered  with  bones 
of  wood  rats.  There  were  a  dozen  skulls,  and  bones,  legs,  skin, 
and  fur  were  strewn  over  the  nest.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS  BTJTEO. 

General  Characters.  —  Size  medium  and  large,  form  heavy  ;  wings  longer 
than  tail ;  emarginate  primaries  3  or  4 ;  sexes  alike  or  similar ;  female 
larger  than  male  ;  melanism  frequent. 

KEY   TO   ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Three  outer  primaries  with  inner 
webs  distinctly  cut  out. 

2.  Primaries  exceeding  secondaries 
by  nearly  length  of  tail. 

sennetti,  p.  158. 
2'.  Primaries  exceeding  secondaries  by  much  less  than  length  of  tail. 

3.  Wing  over  14    .     .     . swains oni,  p.  159. 

3'.  Wing  under  11.50 platypterua,  p.  160. 

1'.  Four  outer  primaries  with  inner  webs  cut  out. 

2.  Outer  webs  of  primaries  spotted  with  white,  buffy, 

or  brownish elegans,  p.  157. 

2'.  Outer  webs  of  primaries  without  white,  buffy,  or 
brownish  spots,  but  with  quadrate  bands. 

3.  Tail  black  or  blackish,  crossed  by  white  zones. 

abbreviates,  p.  157. 


Fig.  225. 


From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept.  of 
Agriculture. 

Fig.  228. 


3  .  Tail  with  more  or  less 

of  reddish  brown. 
4.  Upper  parts  strikingly  marked  and 
spotted  with  white. 

kriderii,  p.  156. 
4'.  Upper  parts  not  strikingly  spotted 

with  white. 
5.  Tail  dark  rufous. 

bore  alls,  p.  155. 
5'.  Tail  pale  rufous,  calurus,  p.  156. 

337.    Buteo     borealis     (GmeL). 

RED-TAILED  HAWK. 
Adults.  —  Upper  parts  blackish  brown, 
with  white  and  gray  markings ;  tail  red- 
dish brown,  usually  with  black  subter- 
minal  band ;  under  parts  white  to  black- 
ish, with  or  without  rusty  on  breast. 
Young:  tail  gray,  crossed  by  6  to  10 
dark  bands ;  belly  crossed  by  blackish 
zone.  Male:  length  19.00-22.50,  wing 
13.50-16.50,  tail  8.50-10.00,  bill  ,95- 


156  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

1.08.  Female:  length  23-25,  wing  15.25-17.75,  tail  9.50-10.50,  bin  1.00- 
1.15. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  Black  Hills  and 
Colorado,  and  south  to  northeastern  Mexico.  Breeds  nearly  throughout 
its  range. 

Nest .  —  Usually  in  tall  trees.  Eggs :  2  to  4,  white  or  bluish  white, 
more  or  less  spotted  or  blotched  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Mainly  mice,  ground  squirrels,  and  other  injurious  mammals. 

The  eastern  red-tail  goes  as  far  west  as  Colorado. 
33 7a.  B.  b.  kriderii  Hoopes.    KKIDEB  HAWK. 

Adults.  —  Under  parts  entirely  white  or  pale  huffy ;  upper  parts  brown, 
largely  marked  with  white  ;  tail  pale  rufous,  usually  without  subterminal 
band.  Young :  similar,  but  tail  tipped  with  white  and  with  about  ten 
dark  brown  bands,  feathers  more  or  less  tinged  with  reddish  brown  and 
with  inner  webs  largely  white  between  bands.  Size  of  B.  borealis. 

Distribution.  —  Great  Plains,  from  Minnesota  to  Texas,  and  from  Wyo- 
ming east  casually  to  Illinois. 

Nest  and  eggs  similar  to  those  of  the  red-tail. 

33 7b.  B.  b-  calurus  (Cass.).    WESTERN  RED-TAIL. 

Adults.  —  Varying  greatly  in  plumage  —  Light  extreme  :  under  parts 
white  or  buffy,  with  broad  reddish  brown  streakings  on  throat,  belly,  and 
sides ;  tail  bright  reddish  brown,  with  one  or  more  subterminal  blackish 
bars ;  rest  of  upper  parts  dark  brown,  more  or  less  marked  with  yellowish 
brown  and  whitish.  Dark  extreme :  uniform  dark  sooty  brown  except  for 
rufous  tail.  Intermediates  :  reddish  brown  underneath,  and  with  more  or  less 
reddish  brown  wash  on  upper  parts.  There  are  also  all  grades  of  plumage 
in  this  form  between  the  light  and  dark  extremes.  Young :  tail  grayish 
brown  varying  to  dull  yellowish  brown,  crossed  by  9  to  10  blackish  bands ; 
rest  of  plumage  dark  brown  heavily  spotted  beneath,  sometimes  wholly 
dusky.  Male  :  length  19.00-22.50,  extent  of  wings  49-53,  wing  13.50-16.50, 
tail  8.50-10.00,  bill  .95-1.08.  Female:  length  23-25,  extent  54.00-57.50, 
wing  15.25-17.75,  tail  9.50-10.50,  bill  1.00-1.15. 

Distribution.  —  Western  North  America,  from  the  Mississippi  valley, 
casually  east  to  Illinois,  west  to  the  Pacific,  and  south  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  Sometimes  used  a  number  of  years,  made  of  sticks  and  lined 
with  roots  or  inner  bark,  placed  usually  30  to  50  feet  from  the  ground, 
generally  in  deciduous  trees,  but  also  in  evergreens  and  giant  cactus,  and 
occasionally  on  cliffs.  Eggs :  usually  2  or  3,  creamy  white  or  bluish 
white,  unspotted  or  irregularly  blotched  with  yellowish  and  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Rabbits,  ground  squirrels,  chipmunks,  mice,  snakes,  lizards, 
frogs,  grasshoppers,  and  other  insects. 

"The  western  red-tail,  though  nowhere  very  abundant,  is  pretty 
generally  distributed  over  western  North  America  at  large,  and  is, 
next  to  Swainson's  hawk,  the  commonest  of 'the  larger  raptores  found 
in  these  regions.  ...  It  is  fond  of  the  tall  timber  bordering  the  banks 
of  streams,  and  is  as  often  found  far  in  the  mountain  passes  and 
deep  canyons  as  in  the  more  open  country  in  the  foothills  and  the 
adjacent  plains,  but  seems  to  shun  the  dense  and  extensive  forests, 
and  is  rarely  seen  except  on  the  borders  of  these.  In  some  of  the 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC.  157 

desert  regions  of  western  Texas,  southern  New  Mexico,  and  Arizona, 
it  is  not  infrequently  met  with  at  long  distances  from  water,  and 
has  even  been  found  breeding  in  such  localities.  .  .  .  It  is  one  of  the 
earliest  migrants  to  return  to  its  breeding  grounds,  arriving  about 
the  latter  part  of  February  or  the  first  week  in  March,  and  is  readily 
noticed  then,  both  on  account  of  its  size  and  its  shrill  squeals, 
uttered  during  the  greater  part  of  the  day  while  circling  high  in  the 
air,  in  proximity  to  its  future  summer  home.  They  appear  to  be 
very  much  attached  to  certain  localities  and  return  to  them  from 
year  to  year.  .  .  .  In  Washington,  Idaho,. Oregon,  and  California  it 
lives  principally  on  the  different  species  of  ground  squirrels  so  com- 
mon and  destructive  in  these  states."  (Bendire.) 

Mr.  Grinnell  says  that  this  hawk,  in  common  with  other  species,  is 
popularly  known  as  henhawk  or  chickenhawk  and  is  relentlessly 
killed  wherever  chance  is  offered,  and  he  adds  that  he  attributes  the 
great  local  increase  in  ground  squirrels  in  part  at  least  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  hawks  and  owls. 

339b.  Buteo  lineatus  elegans  (Cass.).    RED-BELLIED  HAWK. 

Adults.  —  Under  parts  bright  reddish  brown,  usually  plain  across  breast, 
lightly  barred  with  white  below  ;  upper  parts  dark  brown,  streaked  with 
white  or  rusty  yellowish  brown ;  shoulders  reddish  brown ;  wings  and  tail 
banded  with  white.  Young  :  spots  of  buffy  or  yellowish  brown  on  outer 
webs  of  wing  quills.  Male  :  wing  12.00-12.50,  tail  8-9,  bill  .78.  Female  : 
wing  13,  tail  9.50,  bill  .90. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia  south  to  Lower  California  and 
northern  Mexico  ;  and  from  western  Texas  to  the  Pacific. 

Nest.  —  Of  twigs  or  sagebrush  lined  with  leaves,  pine  needles,  inner 
bark,  and  feathers  ;  placed  in  trees  and  giant  cactus.  Eggs  :  2  to  5,  white, 
marked  lightly  with  lavender  and  brown. 

Food.  —  Lizards,  frogs,  grubs,  and  insects;  and  sometimes  small  birds. 

The  red-bellied  hawk  usually  makes  its  home  in  trees  along  river 
banks,  especially  in  oak  and  willow  regions,  where  it  may  be  seen 
moving  with  a  heavy  flight  suggestive  of  the  owls. 

In  speaking  of  its  food  habits,  Mr.  Lyman  Belding  says  that  he 
once  shot  one  of  a  pair  that  had  for  three  years  nested  less  than  two 
hundred  yards  from  a  poultry  yard,  and  on  examination  of  its 
stomach  found  only  small  lizards,  tree-frogs,  grubs,  and  insects. 

When  disturbed  at  its  nest,  Major  Bendire  says,  the  red-bellied 
gives  a  shrill  yee-ak,  yee-ak,  repeated  rapidly  in  a  high  key. 

340.  Buteo  abbreviatus  Cab.    ZONE-TAILED  HAWK. 

Adults.  —  Whole  bird  uniform  black  or  blackish  brown,  feathers  pure 
white  at  bases ;  tail  crossed  by  three  broad  lighter  zones,  which  are  gray  on 
outer  and  white  on  inner  webs  of  feathers.  Young:  tail  dark  grayish 
brown  instead  of  black,  inner  webs  sometimes  entirely  white  ;  crossed  by 
numerous  black  narrow  oblique  lines.  Male :  length  18.50-19.60,  extent 
49.50,  wing  15.00-15.60,  tail  8.50-9.15.  Female  :  length  20.85-21.50,  extent 
58.10,  wing  16.50-17.40,  tail  9.00-10.75,  bill  .90-1.00. 


158  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

Distribution.  —  From  Southern  California  to  Texas, 
and  south  to  northern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  On  rock  cliffs  or  in  cottonwoods  near 
streams,  made  of  twigs  lined  with  Spanish  moss, 
green  leaves,  or  inner  bark  of  the  cottonwood.  Eggs : 
1  to  3,  pale  bluish  white,  mostly  unspotted. 

Food.  —  Small  mammals,  lizards,  frogs,  and  fishes. 

Major  Bendire  states  that  one  or  two  pairs  of 
the  zone-tailed  hawks  may  usually  be  found  liv- 
Fig.  229.  Tail  of  Zone-  jng  jn  each  of  the  larger  cottonwood  groves  of 
Arizona,  but  that  few  are  ever  found  far  from  the 
banks  of  streams.  In  southern  Texas  and  New  Mexico  the  hawks 
frequent  canyons,  where  they  circle  about  scouring  the  cliffs,  or, 
mounting  high  in  the  air,  dive  screaming  almost  to  the  water  in  the 
bottom.  Their  cry,  which  is  loud  and  piercing,  is  said  to  resound 
commandingly  through  the  canyons. 

Fifty  miles  south  of  the  Arizona  line  Mr.  Price  encountered  a  fire 
in  the  marsh-lands  and  canebrakes  which  brought  hundreds  of  the 
zone-tails  to  feed  on  the  cotton  rats  and  other  rodents  driven  out  by 
the  heat.  Some  of  the  hawks  circled  high  in  the  air  over  the  flames, 
while  others  wheeled  and  plunged  into  the  dense  black  smoke  for 
their  prey. 

Subgenus  Tachytriorchis. 
Three  outer  primaries  cut  out. 

341.  Buteo  albicaudatus  sennetti  Allen.  SENNETT  WHITE- 
TAILED  HAWK. 

Adult  male.  —  Pure  ivhite  on  under  parts,  rump,  and  tail,  except  for  black 
subterminal  tail  band,  the  white  in  places  lightly  scored  with  narrow  dusky 
bars  ;  upper  parts  dull  bluish  gray,  wing  coverts  marked  with  rufous,  quills 
blackish  ;  three  outer  quills  cut  out  on  inner  web.  Adult  female :  similar, 
but  rufous  patch  on  wing  coverts  more  extended,  and  colors  generally 
darker.  Young :  brownish  black,  shoulders  marked  with  reddish  brown ; 
under  parts  marked  with  whitish  huffy  and  yellowish  brown  ;  thighs  buffy 
brown ;  tail  gray,  darkening  toward  end,  and  becoming  rusty  at  tip, 
scored  faintly  with  narrow  dusky  bars,  becoming  obsolete  toward  base  of 
tail.  Male:  wing  14.50-16.75,  tail  7.50-9.00.  Female:  wing  17.00-17.75, 
tail  8.25-10.30,  bill  .95-1.05. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Texas  and  Arizona  south  to  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  platform  of  twigs  almost  without  lining ;  placed  in  yucca 
tops,  chaparral,  or  small  trees  on  the  prairie.  Eggs  :  2  or  3,  dingy  white, 
lightly  marked  with  spots  of  pale  brown. 

In  driving  over  the  treeless  prairie  of  southern  Texas  day  after 
day,  one  of  your  keenest  pleasures  is  to  sight,  across  a  long  level 
foreground,  the  shining  white  breast  of  a  stately  white-tailed  hawk. 
He  stands  on  the  ground,  p'erches  on  a  low  bush,  or  perhaps  on  a 
fence  post,  if  anything  so  high  offers.  Strikingly  handsome  in  re- 
pose, when  he  flies  up  as  you  drive  near,  his  white  tail  with  its  black 
terminal  band  adds  unique  distinction  to  his  appearance. 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


159 


342.  Buteo  swainsoni  Bonap.    SWAINSON  HAWK. 

Adult  male  in  normal  plumage :  throat  and  belly  white,  white  of  throat 

sharply  contrasted  with  reddish  brown  chest  band ;  upper  parts  nearly  uni- 
form dark  grayish  brown  ;  tail  crossed  by 
about  9  or  10  narrow  blackish  bands.  Adult 
female  in  normal  plumage:  like  male,  but 
chest  patch  grayish  brown  instead  of  rufous. 
Melanistic  phase,  both  sexes :  whole  plumage 
uniform  sooty  brown,  under  tail  coverts  some- 
times spotted  or  barred  with  rusty  or  whitish. 
Every  possible  gradation  is  shown  by  different 
individuals  between  this  black  phase  and  the 
light  colored  normal  plumage.  Young :  upper 

!}arts  blackish  brown  varied  with  buffy  or  yel- 
owish  brown;  head,  neck,  and  under  parts 
buffy  brown,  head  and  neck  streaked  with 
blackish ;  under  parts  usually  more  or  less 
blotched  with  blackish.  Male :  length  19.50- 
20.00,  extent  48.00-50.50,  wing  14.40-16.00, 
tail  8-9,  bill  .80-.90.  Female :  length  21-22, 
extent  50.50-56.00,  wing  14.75-17.25,  tail  9-10, 
bill  .80-.95. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  arctic  regions 
south  to  Argentina;  in  the  United  States 
from  the  Pacific  to  Wisconsin,  Illinois,  and 


\ 


From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S. 
pt.  of  Agriculture. 


Dept. 


Fig.  230. 


Arkansas ;  casually  to  Massachusetts.  Migratory  north  of  South  Dakota 
and  Nebraska. 

Nest.  —  In  cottonwoods  and  other  trees,  and  also  in  bushes  and  on  rocks, 
made  of  sagebrush,  willow,  or  other  sticks,  lined  largely  with  green  leaves 
and  bark.  Eggs :  1  to  4,  greenish  white,  fading  to  yellowish,  spotted  in- 
conspicuously with  different  shades  of  brown. 

Food.  —  Almost  entirely  small  rodents,  principally  striped  gophers  and 
mice,  together  with  grasshoppers  and  crickets. 

"  On  the  arid  wastes  and  tablelands  of  southern  Arizona,  as  well 
as  in  the  sage  and  bunch  grass  districts  of  Nevada,  Oregon,  Washing- 
ton, and  Idaho,  Swainson's  hawk  is  especially  abundant,  outnumber- 
ing, perhaps,  all  the  other  Raptores  of  these  regions  combined.  It  is 
eminently  a  prairie  bird,  shunning  the  densely  timbered  mountain 
regions,  and  being  more  at  home  in  the  sparingly  wooded  localities 
usually  found  along  the  watercourses  of  the  lowlands. 

"Compared  with  the  majority  of  our  hawks  it  is  gentle  and  un- 
suspicious in  disposition,  living  in  perfect  harmony  with  its  smaller 
neighbors.  It  is  no  unusual  sight  to  find  other  birds,  .  .  .  nesting 
in  the  same  tree  ;  and  the  Arkansas  kingbird  goes  even  farther  than 
this,  sometimes  constructing  its  home  .  .  .  under  the  nest  of  these 
hawks  or  in  the  sides  of  it.  ... 

"The  food  of  Swainson's  hawk  consists  almost  entirely  of  the 
smaller  rodents,  principally  striped  gophers  and  mice,  as  well  as  grass- 
hoppers and  the  large  black  cricket,  which  is  very  common  as  well  as 
destructive  in  certain  seasons,  and  the  bane  of  the  farmers  in  eastern 


160  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

Oregon,  Washington,  Idaho,  Nevada,  and  other  localities  in  the  Great 
Basin,  destroying  and  eating  up  every  green  thing  as  they  move 
along.  .  .  . 

"  I  cannot  recall  a  single  instance  where  one  of  these  birds  visited 
a  poultry  yard.  .  .  .  From  an  economic  point  of  view  I  consider  it 
by  far  the  most  useful  and  beneficial  of  all  our  hawks."  (Bendire.) 

During  the  migrations  flocks  of  one  or  two  hundred  Swainson 
hawks  are  sometimes  seen  on  the  ground  catching  grasshoppers  or 
sitting  along  the  barbed-wire  fences  looking  for  small  rodents. 

343.  Buteo  platypterus  (Vieill.).    BROAD-WINGED  HAWK. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  dark  brown,  wing  quills  and  tail  blackish,  tail 
narrowly  tipped  with  white,  and  with  2  to  4  broad  grayish  bands ;  under 
parts  from  dark  brown  to  rusty  or  rufous.  Young :  tail  narrowly  tipped 
with  white  and  crossed  by  5  to  7  blackish  bands ;  sides  of  head  and  under 
parts  dull  white  or  buffy,  marked  with  long  dark  streaks,  cordate  spots  on 
sides,  and  barring  on  thighs.  Male :  length  13.25-15.00,  wing  9.85-10.70, 
tail  6.50-7.00,  bill  .70.  Female  :  length  16-18,  wing  11.00-11.40,  tail  7-8, 
bill  .70-.80. 

Remarks.  —  In  normal  plumage  the  broad- winged  and  the  Swainson  sug- 
gest each  other,  but  differ  in  the  much  smaller  size  of  the  broad-wing,  as 
well  as  the  white  belly  and  thighs,  and  9  or  10  tail  bands  of  the  Swainson. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  eastern  North  America  from  New  Brunswick 
and  Saskatchewan  south  —  mainly  east  of  the  Mississippi  —  to  Mexico ; 
migrating  through  Central  America  and  the  West  Indies  to  northern  South 
America.  Recorded  from  101°  in  Texas. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  generally  not  more  than  25  feet  from  the  ground ;  of 
sticks,  lined  largely  with  strips  of  bark  or  leaves.  Eggs :  usually  2  or  3, 
grayish  or  pale  greenish,  marked  irregularly  with  lavender,  pearl  gray, 
and  sometimes  brown. 

Food.  —  Ground  squirrels,  wood  mice,  field  mice,  shrews,  moths,  grass- 
hoppers, crickets,  and  beetles. 

The  eastern  broad-wing  has  been  found  along  wooded  rivers  in 
western  Texas. 

GENUS   URUBITINGA. 
345.  Urubitinga  anthracina  (Licht.).    MEXICAN  BLACK  HAWK. 

Tail  about  two  thirds  as  long  as  wing,  emarginate  or  nearly  even ;  4 
outer  primaries  sinuate  on  inner  webs ;  primaries  exceeding  secondaries  by 
less  than  length  of  naked  front  of  tarsus ;  tarsus  much  longer  than  mid- 
dle toe  and  claw,  only  feathered  for  a  short  distance. 

Adults.  —  Whole  bird  black  except  for  tail,  which  has  a  white  base,  tip, 
and  medium  cross  band.  Young :  under  parts  buffy,  streaked  with  black- 
ish ;  thighs  heavily  barred  with  blackish ;  upper  parts  blackish,  streaked 
with  whitish,  buffy,  and  rufous;  tail  banded  obliquely  with  black  and 
white.  Male :  length  21.50,  wing  13.15-14.90,  tail  7.90-9.75,  bill  1.00-1.05. 
Female:  length  20.00-22.50,  wing  14.25-16.00,  tail  9.25-11.00,  bill  1.05- 
1.10. 

Distribution.  —  From  Arizona  and  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in 
Texas  south  to  northern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  Bulky,  of  sticks  and  herbage,  lined  with  dry  leaves,  and  placed 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC.  161 

in  a  large  tree  near  the  border  of  a  stream.    Eggs  :  usually  2,  white,  irregu- 
larly blotched  with  brown,  chiefly  around  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Small  mammals,  reptiles,  Crustacea,  insects,  and  rarely  birds. 

In  Arizona  Dr.  Mearns  usually  found  the  anthracite  or  Mexican 
black  hawk  hidden  in  the  foliage  near  water.     Occasionally  he  saw 
one  eating  fish  on  the  sandy  margin  of  a  river.     They  are  very  shy 
he  says,  and  their  flight  is  swift  and  powerful. 

GENUS   ASTUBINA. 
346.  Asturina  plagiata  Scklegel.    MEXICAN  GOSHAWK. 

Proportions  of  Buteo  but  coloration  of  Astur ;  wings  less  than  4  times 
as  long  as  tarsus ;  four  outer  primaries  cut  out  on  inner  webs,  second  to 
fifth  cut  out  on  outer  webs ;  tail  even,  long ;  about  three  fourths  wing ; 
legs  long,  as  in  Accipiter  ;  feet  stout. 

Adults.  —  Under  parts,  except  for  white  under  tail  coverts,  everywhere 
barred  gray  and  white ;  upper  parts  plain  ash  gray  or  very  faintly  barred  ; 
top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  with  fine  blackish  shaft  streaks  ;  wing  quills 
and  upper  tail  coverts  white,  tail  blackish,  tipped  with  white,  and  crossed 
by  2  or  3  white  bands.  Young :  under  parts  white,  broadly  streaked  ex- 
cept on  throat,  and  tinged  with  pinkish  buff  on  sides  and  under  wings ; 
upper  parts  sooty  brown,  head  and  neck  streaked,  and  wings  spotted  with 
buffy ;  upper  tail  coverts  white ;  tail  grayish  brown,  tipped  with  whitish, 
and  crossed  by  6  or  7  black  bands.  Length:  16-18,  wing  9.50-11.70,  tail 
6.70-8.20,  bill  .75-1.00. 

Distribution.  —  From  southwestern  border  of  United  States  to  Panama. 

Nest.  —  Of  fresh  cottonwood  twigs  with  leaves  attached,  lined  with 
dry  leaves  and  strips  of  bark.  Eggs:  usually  2,  pale  bluish  white, 
unspotted. 

Food.  —  Ground  squirrels,  mice,  birds,  small  reptiles,  and  insects. 

The  Mexican  goshawk  frequents  open  groves  and  the  edges  of 
timber,  especially  near  watercourses. 

Near  Tucson,  Arizona,  Major  Bendire  had  a  good  opportunity  to 
study  its  habits.  From  the  middle  of  April,  he  says,  "not  a  day 
passed  without  my  seeing  two  or  three  pairs  of  these  handsome  lit- 
tle goshawks  (which  were  readily  recognized  by  their  light  color) 
engaged  in  sailing  gracefully  over  the  treetops,  now  sportively  chas- 
ing each  other,  or  again  circling  around,  the  female  closely  followed 
by  the  male,  uttering  at  the  same  time  a  very  peculiar  piping  note, 
which  reminded  me  of  that  given  by  the  long-billed  curlew  in  the 
early  spring  (while  hovering  in  the  air  in  the  manner  of  a  sparrow 
hawk),  rather  than  the  shrill  cries  or  screams  usually  uttered  by  birds 
of  prey.  To  my  ear,  there  was  something  decidedly  flute-like  about 
these  notes.  .  .  .  When  in  search  of  food,  their  flight  is  powerful, 
active,  and  easily  controlled.  I  have  seen  one  of  them  dart  to  the 
ground  with  arrow -like  swiftness  to  pick  up  some  bird,  lizard,  or 
rodent,  continuing  its  flight  without  any  stop  whatever." 


162 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


Beetles  and  grasshoppers  are  caught  by  them  on  the  wing,  and 
twigs  for  their  nests  are  broken  off  as  they  fly  rapidly  by. 

GENUS  ARCHIBUTEO. 

General  Characters.  —  Like  Buteo,  but  tarsus  feathered  in  front  and  on 
sides  down  to  base  of  toes  ;  wings  long-,  four  or  five  quills  emarginate  on 
inner  webs. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Bill  small  and  weak,  gape  across  corners  of  bill  only  1.35-1.45. 

sancti-johannis,  p.  162. 
1'.  Bill  larger  and  stronger,  gape  across  corners  of  bill  1.70-1.90. 

ferrugineus,  p.  163. 

347a.  Archibuteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis  (GmeL).  ROUGH- 
LEGGED  HAWK. 

Adults,  normal  phase.  —  Under  parts  varying  from  whitish  to  yellowish 
brown,  more  or  less  spotted  with  blackish,  most  heavily  on  breast  ;  upper 
parts  grayish  brown  or  dark  brown,  streaked 
with  white  and  reddish  brown  ;  tail  with  base 
and  upper  coverts  white  and  end  with  subter- 
minal  dusky  band  ;  wing  quills  with  outer  webs 
silvery  gray.  Young,  normal  plumage  :  similar 
to  adults,  but  end  of  tail  plain  grayish  brown, 
the  basal  part  plain  whitish  ;  under  parts  whit- 
ish or  buffy,  crossed  on  belly  by  a  broad  belt 
of  uniform  dark  brown.  Melanistic  phase  in 
both  young  and  old  —  connected  with  normal 
plumage  by  every  variety  of  intermediate  char- 
acter —  entirely  deep  black  except  for  white 
forehead,  white  on  inner  webs  of  quills  above 
eniargination,  and  narrow  broken  bands  across 
base  of  tail.  Male:  length  19.50-22.00,  wing 
J  15.75-16.80,  tail  9-10.  Female  :  length  21.50- 
_  '^  £  23.50,  wing  16.15-18.00,  tail  9-11. 

From  Biological  Survey,  u.S.Dept.       Remarks.  —  The    white   upper  tail   coverts 
of  Agriculture.  an(j  jarge  sjze  are  g.OO(j  fi^  characters. 

Fig.  231.  Distribution.  —  Whole    of    North   America 

north  of  Mexico,  but  breeding  almost  wholly  north  of  the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  Made  of  large  sticks  lined  with  grass,  leaves,  or  feathers,  in  trees 
or  on  cliffs.     Eggs  :  2  to  5,  greenish  white,  fading  to  dingy  white,  irregu- 
larly marked  with  blotches  of  brown  and  sometimes  lavender. 
Food.  —  Principally  small  rodents,  such  as  mice  and  lemmings. 

The  rough-legged  hawk  is  known  mainly  as  a  winter  bird  in  the 
United  States,  coming  down  with  the  fall  migrants  and  spreading 
over  the  country  where  he  can  find  food  to  suit  his  taste,  often 
remaining  all  winter  in  the  northern  states  where  the  deep  snow  and 
intense  cold  drive  less  hardy  species  away.  Where  trappers  are  at 
work  he  finds  plenty  of  food  in  the  freshly  skinned  or  frozen  bodies 
of  muskrats  and  other  fur  mammals  left  lying  by  the  streams  and 
lakes  ;  but  he  is  not  dependent  upon  such  supplies.  He  keeps 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


163 


mainly  within  the  country  inhabited  by  meadow  mice,  and  at  the 
season  when  they  are  at  their  worst  eating  the  roots  of  the  crops 
and  gnawing  the  bark  of  fruit-trees  under  the  snow  he  devotes 
himself  to  their  destruction. 

Dr.  Fisher  says  that  the  rough-leg  is  one  of  the  most  nocturnal  of 
our  hawks,  and  that  it  "may  be  seen  in  the  fading  twilight  watch- 
ing from  some  low  perch,  or  beating  with  measured,  noiseless  flight, 
over  its  hunting  ground." 


Subgenus  Brewsteria. 


FERRUGINOUS  ROUGH- 


348.  Archibuteo  ferrugineus  (Licht.). 
LEG  :  SQUIRREL,  HAWK. 

Adults,  normal  phase  :  under  parts  white,  sometimes  slightly  streaked 
with  brown ;  upper  parts  and  flanks  reddish 
brown  ;  tail  white,  more  or  less  stained  with 
reddish  brown,  and  sometimes  marked  with 
a  subterminal  band.  Adults,  melanistic  phase  : 
tail  normal ;  upper  parts  chocolate  brown, 
marked  with  rusty ;  under  parts  rusty  and 
chocolate.  Young :  upper  parts  grayish 
brown,  feathers  edged  with  rusty  or  yellow- 
ish brown  ;  flanks  white,  more  or  less  spotted 
with  dusky ;  tail  whitish  for  basal  third,  the 
rest  brownish  gray,  usually  with  several 
more  or  less  distinct  dark  bands.  Male : 
length  22.50,  wing  15.90-17.00,  tail  9.50- 
10.50.  Female :  length  24,  wing  17.00-18.80, 
tail  10.50-11.00. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  eastern  Dakotas 
and  Texas  to  the  Pacific,  and  from  the  Sas- 
katchewan to  northern  Mexico ;  casually  to 
Illinois. 

Nest.  —  Of  sticks  and  herbage,  lined  with 
softer  materials.  Eggs:  2  to  5,  creamy  or 
pale  greenish,  irregularly  blotched  with  dif- 
ferent shades  of  brown  and  lavender. 

Food.  —  Almost  exclusively  small  mam- 
mals and  reptiles,  but  also  crickets. 

"The  squirrel  hawk  is  preeminently  a  bird  of  the  prairie,  and, 
unlike  the  common  rough-leg,  shows  little  partiality  to  the  vicinity 
of  water,  though  in  other  respects  it  closely  resembles  the  latter 
bird  in  habits.  When  this  hawk  is  hunting  its  flight  appears  la- 
bored and  heavy,  but  when  circling  high  in  the  air  its  flight  is 
graceful,  and  resembles  closely  that  of  the  golden  eagle.  In  fact,  in 
parts  of  the  west  it  is  known  by  the  name  eagle."  (Fisher.) 

GENUS   AQUILA. 

349.  Aquila  chrysa'etos  (Linn.}.    GOLDEN  EAGLE. 

A  bird  of  great  size,  robust  form,  and  powerful  physique.    Tarsus  closely 


Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept. 
of  Agriculture. 

Fig.  232. 


164  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

feathered  all  around  to  the  toes,  outer  and  middle  toes  webbed  at  base ; 
bill  large,  long ;  wings  long,  pointed ;  tail  mod- 
erate, rounded,  or  graduated  ;  feathers  of  occiput 
and  nape  lanceolate.  Sexes  alike.  Adults  :  whole 
bird  dark  brown,  lanceolate  feathers  of  hind 
neck  and  those  on  legs  lighter  brown;  wing 
quills  black ;  tail  blackish,  more  or  less  clouded 
or  irregularly  banded  with  grayish.  Young :  like 
adult,  but  basal  part  of  tail  plain  white,  under 
parts  white  beneath  the  surface.  Male :  length 
30-35,  extent  about  6£  to  7  feet,  wing  23.00-24.70, 
taU  14-15,  bill  1.50-1.62.  Female :  length  35-40, 
extent  about  7  to  7i  feet,  wing  25-27,  tail  15-16, 
bill  1.68-1.85. 

Distribution.  —  Northern   portion  of   northern 
hemisphere,  chiefly  in  mountainous  regions ;  south 
in  North  America   to  central  Mexico.      Breeds 
From  Biological  SurTey,  U.  S.     throughout  its  range. 

Dept.  of  Agriculture.  jyest .  _  A  platform  of  sticks  lined  with  straw, 

Fig.  233.  Golden  Eagle.  &ragS)  mosS)  ieaves?  f ur>  or  fathers,  placed  in 
high  trees  or  on  a  ledge  of  a  cliff.  Eggs:  usually  2,  white,  irregularly 
marked,  some  almost  immaculate,  others  thickly  blotched  with  brown. 

Pood,  —  Mainly  mammals  and  birds,  including  squirrels,  prairie  dogs, 
spermophiles,  rabbits,  fawns,  lambs,  turkeys,  grouse,  and  waterfowl. 

In  his  mountain  home  the  golden  eagle  scours  the  ridges  and  sides 
of  precipices  for  grouse  and  marmots,  and  when  these  become  scarce 
or  too  wary  from  long  acquaintance  with  his  raids,  he  descends  like 
a  meteor  on  half  folded  wings  to  the  valley,  where  he  beats  the 
sagebrush  for  jack  rabbits,  sage  grouse,  or  any  game  worthy  of  his 
royal  quest. 

The  eagles  are  often  seen  hunting  in  pairs,  and  doubtless  find 
mutual  advantage  other  than  companionship  in  the  method.  In 
Salt  Lake  Valley,  at  the  foot  of  the  Wasatch  Mountains,  a  pair 
were  once  found  eating  a  full  grown  gray  fox  they  had  just  killed, 
which  it  is  doubtful  if  either  could  have  caught  or  overpowered 
alone.  Under  stress  of  hunger  or  when  game  is  scarce,  the  birds  are 
said  to  take  young  lambs  or  kids,  and  even  to  eat  animals  found 
dead  on  the  prairie,  in  this  way  getting  the  poison  put  out  for 
coyotes.  But  only  extreme  necessity  could  make  them  stoop  to 
such  ignominious  quarry,  as  nothing  short  of  the  extermination  of 
the  buffalo  and  other  legitimate  game  could  have  brought  the 
haughty  chiefs  adorned  with  their  regal  feathers  to  beg  alms. 

The  eagles  sweep  over  the  plains  and  valleys,  but  the  mountains 
are  their  natural  homes.  On  San  Francisco  Mountain  in  Arizona  I 
found  a  pair  coming  every  morning  to  drink  and  bathe  in  a  pool  of 
clear  snow  water  above  the  timber  at  11,000  feet. 

VEBNON  BAILEY. 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


165 


GENUS    HALI^ETUS. 

352.  Haliseetus  leucocephalus  (Linn.).    BALD  EAGLE. 

Tarsus  feathered  only  half  way  down,  middle  and  outer  toes  without 
web  ;  wing  pointed,  secondaries  much  shorter 
than  primaries ;  tail  less  than  two  thirds  as 
long  as  wing,  rounded.  Adults.  —  Head, 
neck,  tail,  and  tail  coverts  snowy  white  ;  rest 
of  plumage  blackish  or  dark  brownish, 
feathers  edged  with  brown.  Young:  first 
year  wholly  black  except  for  white  bases  of 
feathers  showing  through ;  second  or  third 
year  under  parts  mixed  black  and  white  ; 
head  and  neck  black,  rest  of  upper  parts 
mixed  gray,  brown,  black,  and  white.  Male  : 
length  30-85,  extent  about  7  feet,  wing 
20.00-25.90,  tail  11.00-15.25,  bill  1.85-2.25. 
Female :  length  34-43,  extent  about  7-8  feet, 
wing  23.50-28.00,  tail  12.50-16.00,  bill  1.90- 
2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Nearly  the  whole  of  North 
America,  from  northern  Mexico  to  Alaska. 
Breeds  in  suitable  localities  throughout  its 
range. 

Nest.  —  A  bulky  mass  of  sticks,  seaweed,  From  Biol«f i|n0.1rfcuurS  U>  S>  Dept 
rushes,  turf,  vines,  or  plant  stalks,  on  cliffs  j^  234. 

or  in  tall  trees.     Eggs  :  usually  2,  white. 

Food.  —  Mainly  fish,  but  also  squirrels,  rabbits,  prairie  dogs,  lambs, 
carrion,  and  waterfowl. 

The  bald  eagle  was  unfortunately  selected  as  our  national  emblem 
instead  of  the  nobler  golden  eagle,  as  it  is  at  times  both  a  scavenger 
and  a  robber.  It  lives  largely  on  fish,  diving  for  them  and  taking 
them  itself,  stealing  them  from  a  fish  hawk,  or,  in  company  with 
ravens  and  vultures,  feeding  on  dead  fish  cast  up  by  the  waves  along 
river  banks. 

It  must  be  acknowledged,  however,  that  the  eagles  show  great 
skill  in  their  piratical  exploits  and  courage  in  defense  of  their  nests, 
and  that  they  have  a  noble,  commanding  bearing  which  is  not  alto- 
gether belied  by  their  daily  deeds. 

GENUS   FALCO. 

General  Characters.  —  Cutting  edge  of  upper  mandible  with  a  tooth-like 
projection  separated  by  notch  from  hooked  tip  ;  nostril  small,  circular, 
with  a  conspicuous  bony  tubercle  ;  wings  long  and  pointed. 

KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.  One  primary  with  inner  web  cut  out. 

2.  Back  of  tarsus  almost  covered  by  feathers  from  sides. 

rusticolua,  p.  166. 
2'.  Back  of  tarsus  broadly  bare. 
3.  Grayish  brown  above mexicanus,  p.  166. 


166  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

3.  Slaty  bluish  above. 

4.  Top  of  head  darker  than  back anatum,  p.  167. 

4'.  Top  of  head  and  back  uniform pealei,  p.  168. 

1'.  Two  primaries  with  inner  webs  cut  out. 

2.  Tarsus  not  decidedly  longer  than  middle  toe. 

3.  Middle  tail  feathers  crossed  by  not  more  than  four  blackish  or  five 

light  bands. 
4.  Inner  webs  of  quills  distinctly  barred  or  spotted. 

columbarius,  p.  168. 
4'.  Inner  webs  of  quills  not  distinctly  barred  or  spotted. 

suckleyi,  p.  169. 
3'.  Middle  tail  feathers  crossed  by  5  darker  and  6  lighter  bands. 

richardsonii,  p.  169. 

2'.  Tarsus  decidedly  longer  than  middle  toe. 
3.  Side  of  head  with  one  horizontal  stripe. 

fusco-ccerulescens,  p.  170. 
3'.  Side  of  head  with  two  black  vertical  stripes. 

4.  Darker.     Eastern  United  States  ....     sparverius,  p.  170. 
4'.  Paler.    Western  United  States    ....  deserticola,  p.  171. 

Subgenus  Hierofalco. 

Tarsus  feathered  two  thirds  of  the  way  down  in  front  and  on  sides,  the 
edges  of  the  feathering  meeting  on  the  posterior  side. 

854.  Falco  rusticolus  Linn.    GRAY  GYRFALCON. 

Adults.  —  Top  of  head  largely  streaked  with  white  ;  anterior  upper  parts 
barred  with  grayish  or  whitish  and  darker ;  tail  strongly  banded  ;  flanks 
and  thighs  more  or  less  marked  with  slaty.  Young :  upper  parts  much 
spotted  with  white  or  buffy ;  under  parts  with  dark  stripes  usually  nar- 
rower than  white  interspaces.  Male:  length  20-21,  wing  14.10,  tail  8.51, 
bill  .90,  tarsus  2.40.  Female :  length  22.00-24.50,  wing  15.76,  tail  9.72, 
bill  1.01,  tarsus  2.46. 

Distribution.  —  Extreme  northern  portions  of  Europe  (except  Scandi- 
navia), Asia,  and  North  America,  including  Iceland  and  southern  Green- 
land ;  south  in  winter  to  northern  border  of  United  States. 

The  gyrfalcons  are  so  rare  in  the  United  States  that,  as  Dr.  Fisher 
says,  a  man  may  consider  himself  fortunate  if  he  sees  one  in  a  life- 
time. 

355.  Palco  mexicanus  Schlegel.    PRAIRIE  FALCON. 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  and  nuchal  collar  white,  sides  of  head  with 
dark  patches ;  median  under  parts  lightly  streaked  or  spotted,  and  flanks 
heavily  spotted  or  blotched  with  dusky ;  upper  parts  pale  clay  brown, 
usually  tinged  with  rusty  and  indistinctly  but  broadly  barred  with  pale 
clay  color  or  dull  buffy  anteriorly,  and  with  pale  bluish  gray  posteriorly. 
Adult  female :  upper  parts  dull  clay  brown,  feathers  edged  with  rusty 
brown  or  dull  whitish,  paler  toward  tail ;  tail  tipped  with  whitish  and 
lighter  on  outer  edges  of  feathers.  Young :  upper  parts  grayish  brown, 
feathers  edged  with  light  rusty ;  under  parts  buffy  with  broader  dusky 
streaks  ;  dark  flank  patch  larger  and  more  uniform  than  in  the  adult,  and 
axillars  unbroken  dusky.  Male :  length  17-18,'  wing  11.60-12.50,  tail 
3.40-7.50,  bill  .70-75.  Female:  length  18.50-20.00,  wing  13.25-14.30, 
tail  8-9,  bill  .85-.90. 

Distribution.  —  United  States,  from  the  eastern  border  of  the  Plains  to 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


167 


the  Pacific,  and  from  the  Dakotas  south  to  Mexico ;  casually  to  Illinois. 
Breeds  throughout  its  United  States  range. 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  ledges  of  rocky  cliffs.  Eggs  :  3  to  5,  usually  creamy 
white,  blotched  and  spotted  with  reddish  brown,  spots  sometimes  covering 
whole  surface. 

Food.  —  Birds,  mammals,  reptiles,  and  the  larger  insects. 

Over  the  western  plains  and  sagebrush  desert  country  one  often 
sees  a  small,  trimly -built,  sharp-winged  hawk  dashing  about  in  the 
air,  and  on  scanning  the  rugged  cliffs  discerns  a  white  streak  high 
on  the  rock  wall  and  with  a  field  glass  a  niche  above  in  which  per- 
haps the  edge  of  a  nest  or  the  heads  of  young  may  be  seen.  Some- 
times you  will  hear  the  high-pitched  call,  kee,  kee,  kee,  as  the  old 
birds  circle  around  above  their  aerie.  As  they  hover  about  the  cliffs 
their  neat  forms  and  quick,  hard  wing  beats  are  so  characteristic 
that  they  could  be  mistaken  for  no  other  bird,  unless  perhaps  the 
duck  hawk.  Their  nests  are  usually  placed  in  the  most  inaccessible 
parts  of  high  cliffs,  and  the  birds  are  closely  associated  with  many  of 
the  grandest  western  landscapes. 

The  falcons  are  bold  freebooters  when  a  farmyard  happens  to  lie 
in  the  valley  below  and  their  hungry  young  are  calling,  but  ordi- 
narily ground  squirrels  and  other  small  rodents  supply  most  of  their 
food.  The  few  birds  they  get  are  mostly  caught  on  the  wing.  One 
that  shot  past  me  in  pursuit  of  a  flock  of  Gambel  quails  in  southern 
Utah  struck  a  quail  from  the  flock  with  such  force  as  to  knock  it 
to  the  ground  amid  a  cloud  of  feathers,  but  fortunately  for  the 
quail  it  landed  in  the  brush,  where  it  escaped.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

Submenus  Bhynchodon. 

Tarsus  only  slightly  feathered  in  front, 
broadly  bare  behind;  not  longer  than 
middle  toe  without  claw. 

356.   Falco  peregrinus  anatum 

(Bonap.}.  DUCK  HAWK. 
Adults.  —  Sides  of  head  and  neck  black, 
in  striking  contrast  to  white  or  buffy  of 
throat  and  breast;  rest  of  under  parts 
deeper  colored  and  spotted  or  barred 
with  blackish  ;  top  of  head  sooty  black, 
rest  of  upper  parts  slaty  blue,  lighter  on 
rump,  indistinctly  barred  with  dusky ; 
wing  quills  blackish,  inner  webs  of  quills 
spotted  regularly  with  buffy  or  yellow- 
ish brown ;  tail  blackish,  crossed  by  8  to 
10  light  grayish  bars,  and  with  narrow 
white  tip.  Young :  under  parts  yellowish 
brown  or  reddish  brown,  heavily  streaked  rrom  m^^J^  u.  s.  Dept.  of 
with  dark  brown  ;  upper  parts  blackish,  Agriculture. 

feathers  edged  with  rusty ;  tail  spotted  Fig.  235. 


168  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

with  reddish  brown  and  conspicuously  tipped  with  buffy.  Male :  length 
15.50-18.00,  wing  11.30-13.00,  tail  6.00-7.50,  bill  .75-.80.  Female :  length 
18-20,  wing  13.00-14.75,  tail  6.90-9.00,  bill  .85-1.00. 

Distribution.  —  America,  north  of  Chili ;  migratory  in  the  northern  part 
of  its  range  ;  breeding  locally  throughout  most  of  its  United  States  range. 

Eggs.  —  Usually  laid  on  bare  ground  or  rock,  on  a  ledge  or  crag,  or 
sometimes  in  hollows  in  trees  or  old  nests  of  other  hawks,  generally  4, 
creamy  or  yellowish  white,  overlaid  with  brown  or  brick  red. 

Food.  —  Almost  exclusively  water  birds. 

As  the  duck  hawk  lives  mainly  on  waterfowl  and  shore  birds  it 
follows  them  from  the  north  on  their  migrations.  Its  flight  is  so 
rapid  that  it  easily  overtakes  the  swift-winged  ducks,  and  it  is  so 
bold  as  to  attack  and  kill  birds  twice  its  weight.  It  ranks  next  to 
the  goshawk  as  a  fierce  bird  of  prey. 

356a.  Falco  peregrinus  pealei  Ridgw.    PEALE  FALCON. 

Adults.  —  Like  F.  p.  anatum,  but  head  and  upper  parts  uniform  dark 
slate  blue ;  barred  on  back  of  wings  and  tail ;  chest  marked  with  tear- 
shaped  blackish  spots,  and  rest  of  under  parts  broadly  barred  with  black- 
ish. Young :  under  parts  sooty  black,  streaked  with  buffy  or  buffy  white  ; 
upper  parts  with  only  faint  traces  of  rusty  feather  margins.  Male  :  wing 
12.95,  tail  6.75,  bill  .84.  Female :  wing  14.66,  tail  7.84,  bill  .96. 

Remarks.  —  The  adult  Peale  falcon  can  be  distinguished  from  the  duck 
hawk  by  the  uniform  coloration  of  head  and  back,  and  the  young  by  the 
black  under  parts. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  region  of  North  America  from  Oregon 
north  to  the  Aleutian  and  west  to  the  Commander  Islands,  breeding 
throughout  its  range. 

Nest.  —  On  ledges  of  high  cliffs. 

The  Peale  falcon  is  said  to  live  largely  on  auklets  and  murrelets  in 

Alaska. 

Subgenus  JE  salon. 

Tarsus  scarcely  feathered  above,  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw. 
357.  Palco  columbarius  Linn.    PIGEON  HAWK. 

Middle  tail  feathers  crossed  by  not  more  than  four  blackish  or  five 
lighter  bands.  Adult  male :  under  parts  heavily 
striped  on  whitish,  buffy,  or  rusty  ground,  strip- 
ing lightest  or  wanting  on  throat ;  upper  parts 
bluish  gray,  with  black  shaft  streaks,  hind  neck 
mixed  with  whitish,  buffy,  or  yellowish  brown  ; 
wing  quills  blackish,  inner  webs  distinctly  barred 
or  spotted.  Adult  female  :  upper  parts  brownish, 
top  and  sides  of  head  streaked  with  blackish ; 
under  parts  whitish  or  buffy,  without  rusty  tinge. 
Young :  like  female  but  darker,  or  tinged  with 
rusty  or  yellowish  brown  above,  and  whitish  or 
buffy  below.  Male:  length  10-11,  wing  7.40-7.80, 
tail  4.65-5.20,  bill  .48-.50.  Female  :  length  12.50- 
13.25, wing  8.35-8.60,  tail  5.30-5.50,  bill  .55-60. 
^H|  Remarks.  —  In  the  field  the  pigeon  hawk  might 

From  Biological  Survey,  U.     be  ""S^6"   for.  the   young   sharp-shinned,   but 

S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture.         can  readily  be  distinguished  by  the  tail,  that  of 
Fig.  236.  the  sharp-shin  being  grayish  brown,  with  half  inch 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC.  169 

black  bands,  that  of  the  pigeon  hawk  being  brown,  with  quarter  inch 
whitish  bands. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  from  the  Arctic  Ocean  south  in  winter  to 
the  West  Indies,  and  from  the  southern  states  to  northern  South  America ; 
breeding  mainly  north  of  parallel  43°,  except  in  the  mountains,  where  it 
extends  farther  south. 

Nest.  —  On  ledges  of  cliffs  and  sometimes  in  trees  or  hollows  of  trees. 
The  cliff  nests  have  little  material,  the  tree  nests  are  bulky,  made  of 
sticks,  grass,  or  moss,  and  lined  with  feathers,  inner  bark,  and  other  soft 
material.  Eggs  :  4  or  5,  ground  color  white,  usually  hidden  by  blotched 
reddish  brown  suffusion. 

Food.  —  Mainly  birds  and  insects ;  occasionally  small  mammals. 

"  This  spirited  little  hawk  is  one  of  the  most  common  birds  of  prey 
within  its  northern  range.  It  feeds  chiefly  upon  small  birds,  but 
often  attacks  birds  much  larger  than  itself.  ...  It  seldom  watches 
from  a  perch,  or  hovers  in  the  air  as  it  sights  its  prey,  but  as  a  rule 
darts  rapidly  through  the  thickets  and  over  the  open  grounds,  giving 
chase  to  the  birds  startled  in  its  course.  ...  In  flight,  like  others 
of  the  falcon  family,  it  strikes  rapidly  with  its  wings,  never  sailing 
except  for  a  short  distance."  (Goss.) 

357a.  F.  c.  SUCkleyi  Ridgw.    BLACK  MERLIN. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  blackish  brown,  wing  coverts  and  tertials 
slaty,  tail  coverts  bluish  slate ;  tail  black,  with  three  slaty  whitish  bars, 
and  tip  marked  with  whitish ;  throat  white  streaked  with  black ;  rest  of 
under  parts  blackish  brown  with  whitish  and  tawny  markings.  Adult 
female  and  young  :  under  parts  heavily  marked  with  dusky ;  upper  parts 
blackish  brown,  wing  coverts  and  tertials  slaty  ;  tail  coverts  bluish  slate  ; 
inner  webs  of  quills  not  distinctly  spotted  or  barred  ;  tail  bands,  except 
for  whitish  tip,  indistinct  or  obsolete.  Male :  wing  8,  tail  4.90,  tarsua 
1.40,  bill  .70.  Female :  wing  8.25-8.50,  tail  5.70-5.80,  bill  .55-60. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast  from  northern  California  to  Sitka. 

Singularly  enough  the  adult  male  black  merlin  had  never  been 
described  till  Mrs.  Fannie  Hardy  Eckstorm  published  a  description 
in  The  Auk,  October,  1902,  from  a  bird  given  Mr.  Manly  Hardy  by 
Major  Bendire,  who  shot  it  at  Fort  Klamath,  Oregon. 

The  hawk  is  by  no  means  as  rare  as  this  oversight  would  indicate. 
Mr.  Rathbun  has  even  seen  one  in  Seattle,  near  the  business  part  of 
the  city,  and  noted  the  bird  a  number  of  times  along  Lake  Washington. 

358.  Falco  richardsonii  Ridgw.    RICHARDSON  MERLIN. 

Coloration  much  like  that  of  the  pigeon  hawk,  but  averaging  lighter ; 
middle  tail  feathers  crossed  by  5  dark  and  6  light  bands. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  and  western  plains  of  North  America,  from  the 
Mississippi  to  the  Pacific  ;  breeding  from  Saskatchewan  south  to  Colorado ; 
wintering  in  Texas.  Arizona,  and  probably  Mexico. 

Nest,  eggs,  and  food  as  in  F.  columbarius.  p.  168. 

Male :  wing  7.70-8.05,  tail  4.90-5.30,  bill  .50-.60.  Female :  length 
12.00-13.50,  wing  8.80-9.10,  tail  5.70-6.30,  bill  .55-.60, 

The  habits  of  the  Richardson  merlin  so  far  as  known  are  the  same 
as  those  of  the  pigeon  hawk. 


170 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 


Subgenus  Rhynchofalco. 

Tarsus  scarcely  feathered  above,  little  longer  than  middle  toe  without 
claw. 

359.  Falco  fusco-ccerulescens  Vieill.    APLOMADO  FALCON. 
Adults.  —  Sides  of  head  black,  with  white   central  blotch ;   throat  and 

chest  white ;  sides  and  flanks  slaty  blackish,  narrowly  barred  with  white  ; 
upper  parts  plain  bluish  gray ;  wide  stripe  from  eye  becoming  yellowish 
brown  in  encircling  back  of  head  ;  wing  more  than  9  inches,  with  one  white 
bar ;  tail  tipped  with  white  and  crossed  by  about  eight  narrow  white 
bands.  Young :  similar  to  adult  but  colors  duller,  the  upper  parts  less 
bluish,  white  of  breast  buffy,  more  or  less  marked  with  dusky,  belly  and 
thighs  paler.  Male :  length  15,  wing  9.20-10.70,  tail  6.30-8.00,  bill  .60- 
.68.  Female  :  length  17-18,  wing  11.00-11.60,  tail  7.80-8.80,  bill  .71-.80. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Texas,  New  Mexico,  and  Arizona,  south 
to  Patagonia. 

Nest.  —  A  platform  of  twigs  and  plant  stalks,  generally  lined  with  grass ; 
placed  in  mesquite,  yucca,  or  cactus.  Eggs :  usually  3,  yellowish  white, 
almost  obscured  by  varying  shades  of  brown. 

Food.  —  Probably  largely  small  mammals,  birds,  and  insects. 

The  Aplomado  falcon  is  a  bird  of  the  mesquite,  cactus,  and  yucca 
plains,  where  it  finds  a  goodly  supply  of  its  favorite  foods.  When 
hunting  it  often  hovers  in  the  air  like  a  sparrow  hawk,  but  unlike 
most  hawks  rests  mainly  on  the  ground.  For  a  falcon  it  is  said  to 
be  rather  a  quiet,  spiritless  bird. 

Subgenus  Tinnunculus. 
Tarsus  scarcely  feathered  above,  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw. 

360.  Palco  sparverius  Linn.    SPARROW  HAWK. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head  bluish  or 
slaty,  with  or  without  rufous  crown 
patch ;  cheeks  with  two  black  stripes ; 
back  rufous,  with  or  without  black 
bars  or  spots  ;  wings  bluish  gray  ;  tail 
rufous,  with  black  subterminal  band  ; 
under  parts  varying  from  white  to 
rufous,  with  or  without  black  spots. 
Adult  female :  similar,  but  back, 
wings,  and  tail  barred  with  dusky. 
Young:  similar  to  adults,  but  colors 
more  blended  and  —  in  male  —  feath- 
ers of  upper  parts  edged  with  whitish. 
Male:  length  8.75-10.60,  wing  7.16, 
tail  4.73,  bill  .50.  Female:  length 
9.50-12.00,  wing  7.57,  tail  5.14,  bill 
.50-.55. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  from 
Great  Slave  Lake  south,  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  to  northern  South 
America. 

Nest.  —  In  holes,  usually  in  dead 
Fig.  237.  trees.  Eggs :  2  to  5,  varying  from 


From  Biological  Survey,  U.  b.  I>t-pt.  ot 
Agriculture. 


AUDUBON  CARACARA 


FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC.  171 

pure  white  with  few  markings  to  deep  cinnamon  buff,  more  or  less  sprin- 
kled or  blotched  with  darker  brown. 

Food.  —  Mainly  grasshoppers  and  crickets ;  also  other  insects,  snails, 
small  injurious  mammals,  and  sometimes  birds. 

The  habits  of  the.  eastern  sparrow  hawk  are  the  same  as  those  of 
the  western. 

360a.  F.   s.  deserticola  Mearns.     DESERT  SPARROW  HAWK. 

Similar  to  F.  sparverius  but  larger,  with  relatively  longer  tail  and  paler, 
more  rufous  coloration. 

Distribution.  —  Western  United  States  and  British  Columbia ;  south  to 
Guatemala. 

Food.  —  Small  mammals  such  as  mice  and  gophers,  with  grasshoppers 
and  other  insects. 

The  marsh  hawk  and  the  sparrow  hawk  are  the  two  most  familiar 
members  of  the  hawk  family.  Instead  of  spending  their  time  soaring 
high  in  the  sky  or  darting  back  and  forth  through  the  treetops, 
Circus  beats  slowly  low  over  our  meadows  for  mice,  while  the  spar- 
row hawk  builds  his  nest  in  a  knot-hole  of  a  tree  by  the  roadside 
and  sits  on  a  fence  post  when  not  hovering  over  the  meadow  looking 
for  grasshoppers.  His  handsome,  trim  little  person  is  familiar  to 
passers  by,  while  his  shrill  kilty-kilty -kitty,  given  as  he  hovers,  is  one 
of  the  pleasant  well-known  sounds  of  the  open  country. 

In  the  mountains  the  sparrow  hawks  often  affect  the  high  places. 
On  Mount  Shasta  they  have  been  seen  at  about  13,000  feet.  On  Las- 
sen  Peak.  Mr.  W.  K.  Fisher  saw  one  in  such  hot  pursuit  of  a  Clarke 
crow  that  it  took  refuge  in  a  clump  of  hemlocks.  In  the  Wind 
River  Mountains  they  have  been  seen  hovering  over  large  tracts  of 
slide  rock  as  if  in  search  of  conies  and  chipmunks. 

GENUS    POLYBORUS. 

362.  Polyborus  cheriway  (Jacq.).    AUDUBON  CARACARA. 

Bill  long,  compressed,  only  slightly  hooked;  nostrils  linear,  oblique, 
slanting  down  toward  cutting  edge  of  bill ;  upper  mandible  scalloped  on 
cutting  edge ;  tarsus  nearly  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe  without  claw, 
almost  wholly  naked. 

Adults.  —  Skin  of  face  nearly  bare  ;  horizontal  crest  and  body  blackish 
brown  except  for  white  collar  and  white  on  wings  and  tail,  the  white  col- 
lar widening  to  a  cape  on  back,  grading  from  pure  white  through  spotted 
and  barred  black  and  white  to  black ;  wings  with  white  shaft  streaks  and 
grayish  white  patch  on  quills  ;  tail  white,  with  broad  black  terminal  band 
and  about  13  or  14  narrow  dusky  bars.  Young  :  black  of  adults  replaced  by 
brown,  mixed  black  and  white  cape  of  adult  dingy  whitish,  striped  with 
dark  brown.  Length:  20.50-25.00,  wing  14.60-16.50,  tail  8.80-10.00,  bill 
1.20-1.48. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  along  the  southern  border  of  the  United  States 
(Florida,  Texas,  and  Arizona)  and  Lower  California ;  extending  south  to 
South  America,  Ecuador,  and  Guiana. 


172  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

Nest.  —  A  bulky  mass  of  twigs,  flags,  weeds,  coarse  grass,  leaves,  cot- 
ton, or  Spanish  moss ;  placed  according  to  the  locality  in  low  bushes  or  in 
high  trees.  Eggs  :  2  or  3,  ground  color  brown  or  white,  generally  entirely 
hidden  by  spots  of  darker  brown. 

Food.  —  Carrion,  mice,  rabbits,  fish,  and  snakes. 

The  caracara  or  Mexican  buzzard  is  the  oddest  looking  bird  found 
in  that  most  interesting  belt  of  strange  Mexican  types,  the  southern 
border  line  of  the  United  States.  In  flight  it  has  a  wooden  look, 
given  probably  by  its  curious  color  pattern  and  long  neck.  Head 
and  neck  appear  like  one  stiff  round-headed  stick.  Its  wings  look 
stiff  and  angular  too,  and  as  it  flaps  along  their  white  tips  add  to 
the  singular  effect.  On  your  first  view  of  the  bird  you  exclaim  in- 
voluntarily, "What  a  queer  looking  creature  !" 

In  driving  from  Corpus  Christi  to  Brownsville,  while  we  found  the 
Swainson,  Harris,  and  white-tailed  hawks  common  on  the  open 
prairie,  we  saw  caracaras  only  on  the  mesquite  or  shin  oak  prairie. 
In  the  mesquite  one  day  we  came  to  two  of  the  birds  standing  in  the 
road  beside  a  dead .  snake.  As  they  stood  with  heads  raised,  they 
had  a  proud,  hawk-like  bearing. 

South  of  San  Ignatius,  in  driving  through  the  low  shin  oak,  we 
found  two  caracaras  perched  on  an  isolated  little  round-topped  oak. 
They  were  so  big  and  the  tree  was  so  small  that  they  more  than 
filled  it,  looking  like  huge  stuffed  birds  on  meagre  standards.  They 
were  so  evidently  at  home,  sitting  pluming  themselves  calmly 
while  we  stared,  that  we  looked  about  for  a  nest  and  soon  discov- 
ered it,  a  mass  of  sticks,  holding  a  fuzzy-headed  nestling,  on  the  top 
of  another  small  round  oak. 

On  the  coast  of  southern  Texas,  Colonel  Goss  found  the  caracara 
playing  the  part  the  eagles  do  with  fish  hawks.  When  the  brown 
pelicans  were  coming  to  shore  with  their  pouches  full  of  fish,  the 
caracaras  would  dart  down  screaming  and  strike  at  them  with  their 
talons  till  the  pelicans  disgorged  their  fish,  when  the  robbers  would 
calmly  take  possession  of  the  quarry. 

GENUS    PANDION. 

364.  Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis  (Gmel.).    FISH  HAWK. 

Plumage  close,  firm,  imbricated,  oily;  feet  large  and  strong,  roughly 
granular ;  toes  all  free  to  the  base,  outer  toe  reversible ;  claws  all  the 
same  length ;  wings  long,  pointed ;  tail  short.  Adult  male :  Head,  neck 
and  under  parts  white,  head  more  or  less  streaked  with  blackish,  broad 
dark  streak  on  side  of  head ;  breast  sometimes  slightly  blotched  with 
brown;  tail  narrowly  tipped  with  white  and  crossed  by  6  or  7  narrow 
blackish  bands.  Adult  female:  similar,  but  chest  heavily  spotted  with 
brown.  Young :  sexes  similar  to  adults,  but  upper  parts  blackish  brown, 
feathers  tipped  with  white  or  buffy.  Length :  20.75-25.00,  extent  about 
65,  wing  17-21,  tail  7-10,  bill  1.20-1.45. 


BARN  OWLS 


173 


Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Hudson 
Bay  and  Alaska  south  throughout  the 
United  States  and  Mexico  ;  migrates  to 
the  West  Indies  and  northern  South 
America. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  in  trees,  on 
telegraph  poles,  cliffs,  or  deserted  build- 
ings, made  of  large  sticks,  brush,  and 
rubbish,  such  as  weeds  and  cornstalks, 
lined  with  softer  materials  like  seaweed, 
cedar  bark,  and  corn  leaves.  Eggs :  usu- 
ally 3,  varying  greatly  in  size,  color,  and 
markings.  Ground  color  generally  white, 
sometimes  so  evenly  overlaid  as  to  ap- 
pear buffy  or  vinaceous,  and  usually  heav- 
ily blotched  with  brown  and  wine  red. 

'Food.  —  Fish. 


4 


From  Biological  Sur  ey,  IT.  S.  Dept. 
of  Agriculture. 

Fig.  238.     Fish  Hawk. 


With  almost  gull-like  persistency 
the  fish  hawk  follows  the  rivers  and 
lakes,  circling  on  crooked  wings  above 
the  surface  of  the  water  or  perching 
near  the  shore  on  the  top  of  some  old 
dead  tree  overlooking  the  rippling 
surface.  When  a  fish  is  sighted  below  the  long  wings  are  folded 
and  with  a  meteor-like  plunge  the  bird  sinks  into  the  water,  imbed- 
ding the  long  hooked  talons  in  the  back  of  the  fish.  With  a  few 
powerful  strokes  of  the  wings  it  is  up  again,  carrying  the  fish  with 
talons  planted  one  ahead  of  the  other  in  its  back,  to  make  it  go  head 
first  instead  of  side  wise,  so  that  it  will  cut  the  air.  With  its  prey 
the  osprey  makes  for  its  nest,  or  if  it  has  no  nest  flies  to  a  branch 
where  it  can  devour  its  quarry  at  leisure. 

Every  spring  the  fish  hawks  add  a  new  layer  to  the  old  nest,  and 
if  undisturbed  will  use  the  same  structure  as  long  as  the  sticks  hold 
together.  The  nests  are  generally  scattered  and  by  no  means  com- 
mon, but  in  places  where  suckers  and  other  fish  are  abundant  and 
easily  caught,  the  ospreys  sometimes  live  in  large  colonies,  coming 
back  year  after  year  to  the  same  nests.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

FAMILY   STRIGIDJE     BARN   OWLS. 

GENUS    STRIX. 
365.  Strix  pratincola  Bonap.    BARN  OWL. 

Wings  long,  pointed,  folding  beyond  tail ;  tail  short,  about  half  as  long1 
as  wing  ;  tarsus  nearly  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe 
without  claw,  closely  feathered  above,  slightly  feath- 
ered and  bristly  below,  as  on  toes  ;  feathers  of  back  of 
tarsus  pointing  upward ;  inner  toe  as  long  as  middle 
toe  ;  inner  edge  of  middle  claw  pectinated. 

Facial  disk  pure  white  to  tawny ;  under  parts  pure  Fig.  239. 


174 


BARN  OWLS 


white  to  yellowish  brown,  dotted  with  triangular  brown  or  blackish  spots ; 

upper  parts  yellowish  brown,  more  or 
less  overlaid  with  mottled  gray,  finely 
streaked  with  black  and  white  ;  wings 
and  tail  with  a  few  dusky  bands.  Length : 
14.75-18.00,  wing  12.50-14.00,  tail  5.50- 
7.50,  bill  .90-1 .00. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and 
Lower  Sonoran  zones  of  the  United 
States,  from  about  latitude  41°  (Ne- 
braska), and  southward  through  Mexico. 
Migrates  more  or  less  in  the  northern 
part  of  its  range. 

Nest.  —  In  hollow  trees,  holes  in  cliffs, 
barns,  old  houses,  and  bell  towers. 

Food.  —  In  California,  principally  go- 
phers and  ground  squirrels,  together 
with  rabbits,  birds,  and  insects. 

The  barn  owl,  or  more  appropri- 
ately golden  owl,  spends  its  days  in 

From  Biolo?ical  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept.          ^    dafk    Cr6ViCe    that   !t    findS    COn' 

of  Agriculture.  venient,  f  rom  the  hollow  branch  of  a 

Fig.  240.     Barn  Owl.  trce    to    bam    loftSj     garrets>     wells> 

windmill  tanks,  and  mining  shafts.  When  driven  out  of  its  hiding 
place  in  the  daytime,  an  old  owl  will  draw  itself  up,  snap  its  bill, 
and  hiss  at  one  in  a  way  that  might  well  terrify  a  nervous  enemy. 
At  twilight  it  leaves  its  cover  and  with  noiseless  flight  hurries  to 
some  low  meadow  or  marsh  to  hunt. 

In  California  it  preys  mainly  on  gophers  and  ground  squirrels, 
both  of  which  rank  among  the  worst  pests  in  the  country.  The 
ejected  pellets  found  around  the  owls'  nests  often  contain  nothing 
but  gopher  hair  and  bones,  and  in  a  number  of  instances  Mr.  Clark 
P.  Streator  has  found  an  accumulation  of  two  or  three  cubic  feet  of 
pellets  in  the  trees  in  which  the  owls  lived.  Wherever  the  owls  are 
found  they  rank  among  the  most  beneficial  of  rapacious  birds,  for 
they  not  only  live  on  gophers  and  ground  squirrels  in  the  west,  but 
cotton  rats  in  the  south,  and  rats  and  mice  in  the  north. 

When  hunting,  the  owl's  '  peevish  scream '  may  often  be  heard, 
and  sometimes  also  a  note  that  Major  Bendire  compares  to  the  call 
of  the  nighthawk.  But  the  hungry  young  make  the  most  noise. 
When  camped  beside  an  oak  containing  a  family,  Dr.  Palmer  found 
them  a  great  nuisance  from  the  hissing  and  shrieking  which  they 
kept  up  all  night. 

In  California  in  winter  Mr.  Evermann  has  found  as  many  as  fifty 
barn  owls  together  in  the  oaks. 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC.  175 

FAMILY  BUBONnXSJ:   HORNED   OWLS,    ETC. 

KEY   TO    GENERA. 

1.  Small,  wing  3.40-7.50. 

2.  With  ear  tufts  (inconspicuous  in  young)     .     .     Megascops,  p.  181. 
2'.  Without  ear  tufts. 

3.  Tarsus  more  than  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe.    Speotyto,  p.  189. 
3'.  Tarsus  less  than  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe. 


4.  Tarsus  scantily  haired      ......     Micropallas,  p.  191. 

4'.  Tarsus  densely  feathered. 


5.  Ear  openings  very  large,  the  two  unlike. 

Nyctala,  p.  179. 

Fig.  241. 

5'.  Ear  openings  small,  the  two  alike. 

Glaucidium,  p.  190. 
1'.  Large,  wing  11.50-19.00. 


2.  With  ear  tufts. 


3.  Ear  openings  small Bubo,  p.  185. 

Fig  242  3'.  Ear  openings  large,  reaching  almost  to  top  of  skull. 

Asio,  p.  175. 
2'.  Without  ear  tufts. 

3.  Wing  9  inches Surnia,  p.  188- 

3'.  Wing  12  to  19. 

4.  Ear  openings  small,  the  two  ears  not  distinctly  dif- 
ferent   Nyctea,  p.  187. 

4'.  Ear  openings   very   large,   the    two   strikingly    dif- 
ferent. 

5.  Toes  feathered  to  claws.   .     Scotiaptex,  p.  179. 
5'.  Tips  of  toes  exposed     .    .     .    Syrnium,  p.  177. 

GENUS   ASIO. 

General  Characters.  —  Ear  openings  immense,  almost  equal  to  height  of 
skull ;  ear  tufts  more  or  less  developed ;  wings  about  twice  as  long  as  tail ; 
feet  closely  feathered  to  ends  of  toes. 

KEY  TO  ADULTS. 

1.  Ear  tufts  short accipitrinus,  p.  177. 

1'.  Ear  tufts  long wilsonianus,  p.  175. 

366.  Asio  Wilsonianus  (Less.).    LONG-EARED  OWL. 

Ear  tufts  dark  brown,  conspicuous;  face  mainly  yellowish  brown ;  under 
parts  whitish  and  yellowish,  with  dark  brown  shaft  streaks  and  hori- 
zontal bars  on  belly;  flanks  yellowish  brown,  unspotted;  upper  parts 


176 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC. 


From  Biological  Survey,  U 
Dept.  of  Agriculture. 


mottled  gray,  tawny,  and  blackish  ;  wings  and  tail  barred.  Length  : 
13-16,  wing  11.50-12.00,  tail  6.00-6.20,  bill 
.65. 

Distribution.  —  Temperate  North  America, 
straggling  south  to  Mexico  in  winter.  Breeds 
throughout  its  range. 

Nest .  —  Usually  an  old  crow's  nest  built  up 
on  the  sides  and  lined  with  grass,  dead  leaves, 
and  feathers ;  generally  10  to  30  feet  from  the 
ground,  in  bushes  or  trees  in  swamps  or  on  bor- 
ders of  streams.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  white. 

Food.  —  Injurious  rodents,  which  it  destroys 
in  vast  numbers. 

The  long-eared  owl  spends  its  days  mostly 
in  the  thickest  cover  it  can  find,  but  when 
this  is  not  dense  enough  to  prevent  discov- 
ery it  protects  itself  by  many  curious  de- 
vices. It  affords  one  of  the  interesting 
cases  where  '  unconscious  protective  color- 
Fig.  243.  Long-eared  Owl.  ation  ig  combine(i  with  conscious  protec- 
tive attitudes.'  When  frightened,  Dr.  Fisher  says,  it  rises  up, 
'draws  the  feathers  close  to  the  body  and  erects  the  ear  tufts, 
resembling  in  appearance  a  piece  of  weatherbeaten  bark  more  than 
a  bird.' 

Major  Bendire  surprised  one  while  she  was  killing  a  ground 
squirrel.  To  his  astonishment,  as  he  says  :  "All  at  once  she  seemed 
to  expand  to  several  times  her  normal  size,  every  feather  raised  and 
standing  at  a  right  angle  from  the  body  ;  the  wings  were  fully 
spread,  thrown  up  and  obliquely  backward,  their  outer  edges  touch- 
ing each  other  over  and  behind  the  head,  which  likewise  looked 
abnormally  large."  This  remarkable  performance  was  accompanied 
by  a  loud  hissing. 

The  owls,  though  sometimes  seen  abroad  on  cloudy  days,  usually 
hunt  at  night.  When  in  Sierra  Valley,  California,  Mr.  Walter  K. 
Fisher  encountered  them  as  rival  mammalogists.  Rewrites:  "I 
was  out  one  bright  moonlight  night  in  the  sage  brush  looking  for 
Perodipus  and  observed  about  six  of  these  owls  flying  swiftly  and 
noiselessly  over  the  plain,  evidently  hunting  mice.  They  were  very 
tame,  and  flew  close  about  me,  taking  no  notice  of  my  presence. 
They  made  no  sound  whatever." 

They  are  generally  rather  quiet  birds,  Major  Bendire  says,  with 
low  toned  pleasing  notes,  one  of  which  he  describes  as  a  low  twit- 
tered whistle.  In  the  breeding  season,  however,  they  hoot  some- 
what like  screech  owls. 

In  summing  up  its  food  habits,  Dr.  Fisher  declares  it  one  of  the 
most  beneficial  species,  as  it  destroys  'vast  numbers  of  injurious 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC.  177 

rodents  and  seldom  touches  insectivorous  birds.'  As  it  is  easily 
destroyed,  he  says  it  is  the  owl  that  suffers  most  when  short-sighted 
legislators  enact  laws  for  the  destruction  of  birds  of  prey. 

367.  Asio  accipitrinus  (Pall.).    SHORT-EARED  OWL. 

Adults.  —  Ear  tufts  inconspicuous ;  eyes  with  black  ring  and  white  eye- 
brows ;  body  varying  from  yellowish  brown 
to  buffy  white,  conspicuously  streaked  with 
dark  brown ;  wings  and  tail  irregularly 
banded  with  dark  brown  and  buffy  or  yel- 
lowish brown.  Young :  face  brownish 
black,  under  parts  plain  dull  buffy,  tinged 
with  gray  in  front ;  upper  parts  dark 
brown,  the  feathers  tipped  with  yellowish 
brown.  Length:  13.80-16.75,  wing  11.80- 
13.00,  tail  5.80-6.10,  bill  .60-.65. 

Distribution.  —  Entire  western  hemi- 
sphere except  Galapagos  Islands  and  part 
of  the  West  Indies ;  also  nearly  throughout 
the  eastern  hemisphere,  excepting  Austra- 
lia. Breeds  in  the  United  States  irregu- 
larly and  locally  from  about  latitude  39°  T 

/,  ,  J  From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept. 

northward.  6of  Agriculture. 

Nest.  —  Of  coarse  grass  and  sticks,  loosely  Fig.  244. 

put  together,  and  sparsely  lined  with  fine 
material  and  feathers  of  the  bird.     Eggs :  4  to  7,  white. 

Food.  —  Largely  mice ;  also  gophers,  shrews,  rabbits,  grasshoppers, 
crickets,  and  beetles. 

The  habits  of  the  short-eared  owl  are  quite  unique.  While  most 
owls  live  in  trees  and  woods  this  bird  rarely  lights  in  a  tree,  making 
its  home  in  the  open  country,  coast  marshes,  and  islands  covered 
with  bushes  and  high  grass.  It  hides  in  the  grass  on  bright  days, 
but  in  cloudy  weather  often  hunts  in  the  morning  and  evening  or 
even  the  middle  of  the  day,  flying  low  over  the  ground  in  its  search 
for  gophers,  mice,  and  grasshoppers,  when  its  long  wings  make  it 
seem  very  large.  On  the  salt  marshes  of  Gray's  Harbor,  where  Mr. 
Lawrence  found  the  owls  flying  about  commonly  in  misty  weather, 
he  says  they  looked  '  as  big  as  eagles.'  There,  he  says,  they  sat 
on  the  edges  of  the  sloughs  watching  for  rats.  When  flying  high, 
sporting,  or  chasing  some  large  bird,  he  heard  them  give  a  shrill 
barking  call  like  the  Td-yi  of  a  small  dog. 

GENUS    SYRNIUM. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  12-15,  rounded ;  no  ear  tufts  ;  ear  opening 
large  and  with  a  distinct  anterior  flap,  the  two  ears  conspicuously  differ- 
ent ;  tip  of  toe  exposed. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Head  and  neck  barred. 

2.  Upper  parts  dark  brown nebulosum,  p.  178. 

9'.  Upper  parts  pale  yellowish  brown     ....     helveolum,  p.  178. 


178 


HORNED  OWLS,  ETC. 


1'.  Head  and  neck  spotted. 

2.  Wing  broadly  tipped  with  whitish     . 
2'.  Wing  with  white  tips  almost  obsolete 


.  occidentale,  p.  178. 
.    .  caurinum,  p.  179. 


LTOIII  Biological  Survey,  U. 
S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 

Fig.  245. 


368.  Syrnium  nebulosum  (Forst.).    BARRED  OWL. 

Adults.  —  Head,  neck,  and  breast  widely  barred  with  dark  brown  and 
white  or  buffy,  belly  streaked  with  dark  brown  on 
whitish  or  buffy  ground ;  upper  parts  mixed  dark 
brown,  irregularly  barred  and  spotted  with  buffy, 
whitish,  and  yellowish  brown ;  wings  and  tail 
banded.  Young:  entire  plumage  barred  except 
tail  and  wing  quills,  which  are  as  in  adult ;  back 
and  wing  coverts  broadly  barred,  the  end  of  each 
feather  white,  giving  a  spotted  effect.  Length  : 
19.75-24.00,  wing  about  13-14,  tail  about  9. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper 
Sonoran  zones  from  Nova  Scotia  south  to  Georgia 
and  northern  Texas,  and  west  to  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  In  hollows  of  trees,  or  that  of  hawk  or 
crow.  Eggs :  2  to  4,  white. 

Food.  —  Mainly  mice  and  other  small  mam- 
mals ;  also  crawfish  and  insects. 

' '  In  the  central  and  southern  parts  of  its 
range  it  is  quite  common,  frequenting  mostly 
the  heavy  timbered  and,  preferably,  swampy 
tracts  near  watercourses,  and  spending  the  days  generally  in  natural 
hollows  of  trees  or  in  dense  shrubbery.  Like  most  of  the  birds  of 
this  family,  it  is  nocturnal  in  its  habits,  but  nevertheless  sees  well 
enough,  and  even  occasionally  hunts  in  the  daytime,  especially 
during  cloudy  weather.  .  .  . 

' '  The  flight  of  the  barred  owl  ...  is  easy,  and  though  quite 
swift  at  times,  it  is  perfectly  noiseless.  A  rapidly  passing  shadow 
distinctly  cast  on  the  snow-covered  ground  is  often  the  sole  cause 
of  its  presence  being  betrayed  as  it  glides  silently  by  the  hunter's 
camp-fire  in  the  still  hours  of  a  moonlight  night.  Far  oftener, 
however,  it  announces  itself  by  the  unearthly  weird  call-notes 
peculiar  to  this  species,  which  surpass  in  startling  effect  those  of 
all  other  owls  with  which  I  am  familiar."  (Bendire.) 

368b.  S.  n.  helveolum  Bangs.    TEXAS  BARRED  OWL. 

Pallid,  back,  wings,  and  tail  pale  yellowish  brown  or  cinnamon,  light 
bars  and  spots  on  wings  large  and  white ;  light  bars  on  tail  wider  and 
paler  than  in  S.  nebulosum  ;  under  parts  paler,  dark  striping  and  barring 
browner,  ground  color  whiter ;  feathers  of  tarsus  buffy,  without  dusky 
markings.  Type:  female:  wing  13,  tail  8.32.  Topotype :  male  adult: 
wing  13.64,  tail  8.40. 

Distribution.  — Southern  Texas  (and  northern  Tamaulipas,  Mexico  ?). 

369.  Syrnium  occidentale  Xantus.    SPOTTED  OWL. 

Upper  parts  brown,  head  and  neck  coarsely  spotted  (instead  of  barred) 
with  round  white  spots ;  wing  quills  spotted  with  pale  brown  and  whitish, 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC.  179 

and  broadly  tipped  with  whitish  ;  tail  banded ;  under  parts  whitish,  barred  and 
spotted  with  brown.     Length:  19,  wing-  12.00-13.50,  tail  8.50-9.00,  bill  .90. 
Distribution.  —  From  southern  Colorado  and  New  Mexico  to  California 
and  south  to  Lower  California  and  northwestern  Mexico. 

The  spotted  owl  is  the  western  representative  of  the  barred  owl, 
and  is  so  closely  confined  to  the  thinly  settled  mountain  regions  of 
the  west  that  little  is  known  of  its  habits.  Mr.  Lyman  Belding 
compares  its  call  to  the  barking  of  a  dog. 

369a.  S.  O.  caurinum  Merriam.    NORTHERN  SPOTTED  OWL. 

Similar  to  the  spotted  owl,  but  darker,  with  white  spots  and  markings 
restricted,  especially  on  head  and  back ;  wing1  quills  darker,  the  broad 
white  tip  almost  obsolete.  Wing :  12.10 ;  tail  (middle  feathers)  8.06. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  region  of  Washington  and  British  Columbia. 

GENUS    SCOTIAPTEX. 

370.  Scotiaptex  cinerea  (GmeL).    GREAT  GRAY  OWL. 

Ear  tufts  wanting ;  ear  openings  large,  with  conspicuous  anterior  flap, 
the  two  ears  strikingly  different ;  bill  and  feet  small,  bill  inconspicuous 
among  facial  feathers  ;  toes  entirely  covered  with  feathers ;  eyes  yel- 
low, eye  ring  black  ;  face  with  concentric  rings  of  gray  and  dark  brown  ; 
upper  parts  sooty,  mottled  with  gray  and  blackish  ;  wing  quills  and  tail 
banded ;  under  parts  mixed  sooty  and  whitish,  with  irregular  sooty  streak- 
ing ;  flanks  and  legs  barred.  Length :  25-30,  extent  54-60,  wing  about 
16-18,  tail  11.00-12.50. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America,  south  in  winter  to  the  northern 
border  of  the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  In  evergreens,  made  of  sticks,  feathers,  and  sometimes  mosses. 
Eggs :  2  to  4,  white. 

Food.  —  Mainly  rabbits,  mice,  and  other  small  mammals,  together  with 
birds. 

"  Its  great  predilection  for  thick  woods,  in  which  it  dwells  doubt- 
less to  the  rery  limit  of  trees,  prevents  it  from  being  an  inhabitant 
of  the  barren  grounds  or  other  open  country  in  the  north.  It  is 
crepuscular  or  slightly  nocturnal  in  the  southern  parts  of  its  range, 
but  in  the  high  north  it  pursues  its  prey  in  the  daytime.  In  the 
latter  region,  where  the  sun  never  passes  below  the  horizon  in  sum- 
mer, it  is  undoubtedly  necessity  and  not  choice  that  prompts  it  to  be 
abroad  in  the  daylight.  .  .  .  The  note  of  this  owl  is  said  to  be  a 
tremulous,  vibrating  sound,  somewhat  resembling  that  of  the  screech 
owl."  (Fisher.) 

GENUS   NYCTALA. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  5.25-7.40;  ear  tufts  wanting  ;  ear  openings 
nearly  equal  to  height  of  skull,  with  anterior  flap,  the  two  ears  conspic- 
uously different ;  feet  thickly  feathered  to  claws. 

KEY  TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Wing  6.50  or  more richardsoni,  p.  180, 

1'.  Wing  less  than  6. 


180  HORNED   OWLS,  ETC. 

2.  Lighter acadica,  p.  180. 

2'.  Darker scoteea,  p.  181. 

371.  Nyctala  tengmalmi  richardsoni  (Bonap.).    RICHAKD- 

SON  OWL. 

Adults.  —  Eye  ring  black,  face  whitish ;  under  parts  gray,  heavily 
blotched  with  dark  brown  across  breast  and  streaked  with  dark  brown  on 
belly ;  upper  parts  dark  brown,  spotted  with  white  ;  flanks  and  feet 
usually  huffy,  more  or  less  spotted  with  brown ;  under  tail  coverts  striped 
with  brown.  Young :  face  blackish,  eyebrows  and  malar  streak  white  in 
sharp  contrast ;  wings  and  tail  like  adult ;  body  plain  seal  brown  except 
for  yellowish  brown  on  belly  and  flanks  ;  flanks  more  or  less  spotted  with 
brown.  Length :  9-12,  wing  6.60-7.40,  tail  4.10-4.70. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America  from  the  limit  of  trees  south 
in  winter  to  Oregon  and  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  Probably  in  holes  in  trees  and,  in  absence  of  trees,  in  bushes. 
Eggs:  probably  3  to  7,  white. 

Food.  —  Mice,  small  birds,  and  insects. 

"  Richardson's  owl  is  a  boreal  species  inhabiting  North  America 
from  the  limit  of  trees  south  to  the  northern  tier  of  states.  ...  It  is 
common  throughout  northern  Alaska,  wherever  trees  or  large  bushes 
occur  to  afford  it  shelter.  ...  It  is  nocturnal  in  its  habits,  remain- 
ing quiet  during  the  day  in  the  thick  foliage  of  the  trees  or  bushes. 
In  fact,  its  vision  is  apparently  so  affected  by  bright  light  that  many 
specimens  have  been  captured  alive  by  persons  walking  up  and 
taking  them  in  their  hands.  On  this  account  the  Eskimo  in  Alaska 
have  given  it  the  name  of  'blind  one/"  (Fisher.) 

372.  Nyctala  acadica  (GmeL).    SAW-WHET  OWL. 

Adults.  —  Eye  ring  whitish,  face  streaked  with  dark  brown  ;  under  parts 

white,  streaked  vertically  with  reddish 
brown,  most  thickly  on  breast ;  upper 
parts  olive  brown,  marked  with  white, 
finely  streaked  on  head,  and  coarsely 
streaked  or  spotted  on  back,  wings,  and 
tail ;  feet  plain  white  or  buffy.  Young : 
face  blackish,  in  sharp  contrast  to 
white  eyebrows  and  white  malar 
streak  ;  upper  parts  and  breast  plain 
dark  seal  brown  ;  wings  and  tail  as  in 
adult ;  belly  yellowish  brown.  Length  : 
7.25-8.50,  wing  5.25-5.90,  tail  2.80- 
3.25. 

Distribution.  —  From  about  latitude 
50°  to  southern  United  States,  breed- 
ing south  to  Pennsylvania,  New  Mex- 
ico, and  California. 
Nest.  —  A  deserted  woodpecker  hole,  hollow  of  a  tree,  or  old  squirrel's 
nest.     Eggs  :  3  to  7,  white. 

Food.  —  Almost  wholly  mice,  but  also  other  small  mammals  and  insects. 

The  deeper  and  darker  the  forest  the  better  it  suits  this  little 


HORNED  OWLS,  ETC.  181 

gray-coated  night  woodsman.  In  the  daytime  he  snuggles  up  to 
some  gray  trunk  under  the  thick  branches  of  a  dark  spruce,  or  hides 
in  the  leafy  canopy  of  a  forest  tree.  At  night  he  floats  on  noiseless 
wings  along  the  edges  of  the  open  parks  and  meadows,  passing 
from  tree  to  tree  and  bush  to  bush,  dropping  on  unsuspecting  mice 
that  rustle  the  grass  or  venture  into  the  open  spaces  under  the  trees, 
finding  an  abundance  of  food  even  when  the  snow  is  deep  and  the 
nights  crisp  and  cold. 

With  the  first  thaws  of  early  spring  his  love-song  is  heard,  — a 
soft  scraping  note  repeated  monotonously  in  quick  succession  for 
half  an*  hour  at  a  time.  It  usually  comes  first  from  the  woodpecker 
hole  where  he  has  been  spending  the  day,  but  later  in  the  evening 
is  repeated  from  the  branches  in  different  parts  of  the  woods.  Before 
the  snow  has  all  gone  the  eggs  are  laid,  sometimes  in  the  woodpecker 
hole  where  his  voice  was  first  heard,  sometimes  in  another  near  by. 
By  the  time  the  first  really  warm  spring  weather  has  come  the  young 
have  hatched.  Then  the  old  birds  are  too  busy  catching  mice  for 
their  large  family  to  give  much  time  to  music,  and  they  are  not 
heard  again  regularly  until  the  next  spring.  But  they  have  many 
soft  little  talking  notes  that  you  can  hear  by  sleeping  in  their  woods 
on  still  summer  nights.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

372a.  N.  a.  SCOtsea  Osgood.    NORTHWEST  SAW-WHET  OWL. 

Similar  to  N.  acadica,  but  darker,  dark  marking's  everywhere  heavier  ; 
flanks,  leg's,  and  feet  more  rufescent.  Wing  :  3.33,  tail  2.66,  tarsus  1.03. 

Distribution.  —  Puget  Sound  region,  north  to  Queen  Charlotte  Islands, 
B.  C. 

GENUS   MEGASCOPS. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing :  5.40-7.80 ;  ear  tufts  more  or  less  con- 
spicuous ;  ear  openings  small,  the  two  ears  alike  ;  wings  rounded,  about 
twice  the  length  of  the  short  rounded  tail ;  tarsus  feathered. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Toes  feathered  or  bristly. 

2.  Size  larg-e,  wing-  averaging-  about  7  or  more. 
3.  Plumage  dark  and  heavily  mottled. 

4.  Dichromatic ;  brown  form  with  back  deep  sooty  brown.     Oregon 

to  Sitka kennicottii,  p.  183. 

4'.  Monochromatic  ;  back  grayish  brown.    East  of  Cascades. 

macfarlanei,  p.  184. 
3'.  Plumage  pale  ashy  gray,  lightly  streaked.     Rocky  Mountains. 

maxwelliae,  p.  183. 
2'.  Size  smaller,  wing  averaging  6.60  or  less. 

3.  Wing  averaging  less  than  6  ;  plumage  dichromatic. 

4.  Throat  without  fulvous  collar.     Southwestern  Texas  and  Mexico. 

mccalli,  p.  183. 

4'.  Throat  with  partial,  collar   of  mottled  fulvous  in  gray  phase. 
Mexico  and  southern  Arizona     ....  tricliopsis,  p.  184. 


182 


HORNED  OWLS,  ETC. 


3'.  Wing  averaging  over  6.40. 

4.  Dichromatic,  red  or  brownish  gray.     Eastern  United  States. 

asio,  p.  182. 
4'.  Not  dichromatic,  always  gray. 

5.  Back  brownish  gray.    Coast  region  of  California. 

bendirei,  p.  183. 
5'.  Back  clearer  gray. 


Plumage  light  gray,  narrowly  and  sharply  streaked  below 
with  black.  Mexi< 

cineraceus,  p.  j 
6'.  Plumage  dark  gray,  heavily  streaked  with  black.     South- 


[exico  to  southern  Arizona  and  New  Mexico, 
cineraceus,  p.  183. 


em  Colorado,  northern  Arizona,  and  New  Mexico. 

aikeni,  p.  184. 
1'.  Toes  entirely  naked  to  base. 

2.  Throat  with  conspicuous  band  of   ochraceous,   lower    parts   lightly 

mottled idahoeusis,  p.  185. 

2'.  Throat  without  distinct  band  of  ochraceous,  lower  parts  more  heavily 
mottled flammeola,  p.  184. 

373.   Megascops  asio  (Linn.).    SCREECH  OWL. 

Dichromatic ;  gray  or  reddish  brown,  without  regard  to  age,  sex,  or 
season  ;  ear  tufts  conspicuous  ;  toes  thinly 
feathered  or  bristly  on  top.  Adults:  gray 
phase :  upper  parts  dull  brownish  gray,  with 
shaft  streaks  and  fine  mottlings  of  dusky  ; 
edge  of  scapulars  and  row  of  spots  on  edge 
of  wing  white  or  creamy  ;  lower  parts  gray- 
ish white,  with  heavy  shaft  streaks  and 
light  cross  -  lines  of  black.  Red  phase  : 
upper  parts  clear  rich  rufous,  with  a  trace 
of  black  shaft  lines  and  with  white  scap- 
ular streaks  and  spots  on  edge  of  wing  ; 
lower  parts  streaked  and  mottled  with  ru- 
fous and  white,  and  with  faint  black  shaft 
streaks.  Young :  plumage  barred  or  banded 
with  grayish  or  whitish,  without  longitu- 
dinal markings.  Length  :  7.50—10.00,  wing 
6.00-7.10,  tail  3.05-3.50. 

Distribution.  —  Temperate  eastern  North 
America,  south  to  Georgia ;  west  to  about 
the  100°  meridian. 

Nest.  —  A  hollow  in  a  tree  or  old  wood- 


n  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept.  of 
Agriculture. 


Fig.  247. 


pecker  hole,  3  to  40  feet  from  the  ground. 
Eggs  :  usually  4  or  5,  white. 
Food.  —  Mammals,   birds,  reptiles,  batrachians,  fish,   crustaceans,   and 
insects. 

"The  common  screech  owl  is  distributed  throughout  the  whole  of 
the  United  States  and  the  southern  portions  of  the  British  Provinces. 
It  is  separable  into  several  geographic  races  as  is  usual  in  species 
having  such  an  extensive  distribution.  .  .  .  Their  food  consists  of 
a  great  variety  of  animal  life.  ...  At  nightfall  they  begin  their 
rounds,  inspecting  the  vicinity  of  farmhouses,  barns,  and  corncribs, 
making  trips  through  the  orchards  and  nurseries,  gliding  silently 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC.  183 

across  the  meadows,  or  encircling  the  stacks  of  grain  in  search  of 
mice  and  insects.  Thousands  upon  thousands  of  mice  of  different 
kinds  thus  fall  victims  to  their  industry.  Their  economic  relations, 
therefore,  are  of  the  greatest  importance,  particularly  on  account  of 
the  abundance  of  the  species  in  many  farming  districts  ;  and  who- 
ever destroys  them  through  ignorance  or  prejudice  should  be  se- 
verely condemned."  (Fisher.) 

373b.  M.  a.  mccalli  (Cass.).     TEXAS  SCREECH  OWL. 

Dichromatic  ;  pay  or  rufous.  Gray  phase :  smaller  and  darker  than  asio, 
with  more  conspicuous  dusky  shaft  streaks  above  and  heavier  shaft  streaks 
and  cross-lines  of  black  below.  Rufous  phase :  much  as  in  asio,  the  rufous 
predominating  on  lower  parts.  Young :  whole  plumage,  except  wing 
quills  and  tail  feathers,  barred  or  banded  with  grayish  or  whitish  ;  the 
black  streaks  wholly  wanting.  Length:  6.50-9.00,  wing  5.60-6.30,  tail 

Distribution.  —  From  western  and  southern  Texas  across  eastern  border 
of  tablelands  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  cavities  of  trees.     Eggs  :  2  to  5. 

373c.  M.  a.  bendirei  (Brewst.).    CALIFORNIA  SCREECH  OWL. 

Not  dichromatic  ;  gray  only.  Slightly  larger  than  asio,  with  heavier, 
more  marked  shaft  streaks  of  black  both  above  and  below,  and  less  con- 
spicuous cross-lining  below.  Smaller  and  lighter  than  kennicottii  to  the 
north. 

Distribution.  —  California. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  oaks  or  cottonwoods. 

373d.  M.  a.  kennicottii  (Elliot).    KENNICOTT  SCREECH  OWL. 

Conspicuously  larger  and  darker  colored  than  asio  or  bendirei ;  upper 
parts  dark  sooty  brown,  mottled  and  streaked  with  black ;  scapular 
streaks  and  spots  on  edge  of  wings  rich  buff  ;  lower  parts  heavily  mottled, 
lined,  and  cross-lined  with  black ;  legs  and  feet  rich  buffy  brown,  finely 
mottled  with  buffy.  Specimens  from  the  southern  and  eastern  part  of  the 
range  lighter  and  grayer. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast  region  from  Oregon  to  Sitka. 

373e.  M.  a.  maxwelliae  (Eidgw.).  ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  SCREECH 
OWL. 

Large  and  very  pale  ;  white  predominating  on  lower  parts  ;  upper  parts 
light  ashy  or  buffy  gray,  with  narrow  streaks  and  faint  mottlings  of  black- 
ish ;  white  streaks  on  scapulars  and  on  edge  of  wings,  large ;  lower  parts 
white,  with  narrow  shaft  streaks  of  black,  and  fine  cross-lines  of  brown. 

Distribution.  —  Foothills  and  adjacent  plains  of  the  eastern  Rocky 
Mountains  from  Colorado  north  to  Montana. 

373f.  M.  a.  cineraceus  Eidgw.    MEXICAN  SCREECH  OWL. 

Small  and  very  gray ;  upper  parts  clear  ashy  gray,  with  numerous 
blackish  shaft  streaks  ;  lower  parts  with  narrow  black  shaft  streaks  and 
fine  vermiculations  and  cross-lines  of  black,  without  clear  white  inter- 
spaces ;  feet  and  legs  finely  and  thickly  mottled  with  dusky ;  little  trace 
of  brown  anywhere  in  plumage.  Length:  6.50-8.00,  wing  6.10-7.00,  tail 
3.44. 


184  HORNED   OWLS,  ETC. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Transition  zone  of  New  Mexico,  Arizona, 
Lower  California,  and  northwestern  Mexico. 

373g.  M.  a.  aikeni  Brewst.     AIKEN  SCREECH  OWL. 

About  the  size  of  the  California  screech  owl  but  more  ashy,  the  dark 
markings  coarser  and  more  numerous  both  above  and  below.  Wing :  6.56, 
tail  3.80,  bill  from  nostril  .47. 

Distribution.  —  Colorado  and  southwesterly  to  central  New  Mexico  and 
northeastern  Arizona. 

373tl.  M.  a.  macfarlanei  Brewst.    MACFARLANE  SCREECH  OWL. 

Size  large  and  colors  dark,  but  lighter  than  kennicottii ;  upper  parts 
brownish  or  sooty  gray  with  black  shaft  streaks  and  creamy  stripes  on 
scapulars  and  edge  of  wing ;  lower  parts  with  heavy  shaft  streaks  and 
numerous  fine  cross-lines  of  black ;  legs  and  feet  buffy,  slightly  mottled 
with  dusky.  Male :  wing  6.96,  tail  3.80,  bill  from  nostril  .53.  Female  : 
wing  7.23,  tail  3.85,  bill  from  nostril  .57. 

Remarks.  —  Macfarlanei  is  the  size  of  kennicottii  but  with  color  ana 
markings  more  as  in  bendirei. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  Washington  and  Oregon  to  western  Montana, 
and  probably  intermediate  region,  and  north  to  the  interior  of  British 
Columbia. 

373.1.  M.   trichopsis  (Wagl).    SPOTTED  SCREECH  OWL. 

A  small  dichromatic  species.  Gray  phase  :  upper  parts  brownish  gray, 
heavily  lined  with  dusky  ;  lower  parts  grayish  white,  with  broad  shaft 
streaks  and  cross-lines  of  blackish  ;  a  partial  collar  of  mottled  fulvous 
across  throat  and  sides  of  neck.  Red  phase  :  mainly  light  rufous,  obscurely 
streaked  and  barred  with  dusky.  Length:  7.50,  wing  5.66,  tail  2.89, 
tarsus  1.17. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  to  Guatemala. 

374.  Megascops  flammeola  (Kaup).  FLAMMULATED  SCREECH 
ONVL. 

Adults.  —  Toes  entirely  naked  to  extreme  base ;  ear  tufts  small ;  upper  parts 
grayish,  finely  mottled  and  marked  with  blackish  ;  stripes  on  sides  of  back 
yellowish  brown  or  orange,  white  beneath  the  surface  ;  under  parts  whitish, 
marked  with  broad  mesial  streaks  and  narrow  cross-bars  ;  face,  throat, 
and  upper  parts  sometimes  washed  with  orange  brown.  Young :  upper 
parts  mottled  transversely  with  gray  and  white,  but  without  black  streak- 
ing ;  under  parts  similarly  but  coarsely  and  regularly  barred.  Wing : 
5.10-5.60,  tail  2.60-3.00. 

Distribution.  —  From  northern  California  and  Colorado  south  to  the  high- 
lands of  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  old  woodpecker  holes.     Eggs  :  3  or  4,  white. 

Food.  —  Small  mammals,  scorpions,  and  beetles,  and  other  insects. 

"  From  what  we  know  of  the  habits  of  the  flammulated  owl  they 
seem  to  vary  but  little  from  the  other  races  of  the  screech,  owl  fam- 
ily. They  are  apparently  strictly  nocturnal,  and  their  food  consists 
of  the  smaller  mammals,  as  well  as  beetles  and  other  insects."  (Ben- 
dire.) 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC. 


185 


374a.  M.  f.  idahoensis  Merriam.  DWARF 
SCREECH  OWL. 

Similar  to  the  flammulated  but  smaller  and 
paler,  especially  on  under  parts  in  which  the 
ground  is  white,  and  the  marking's  restricted  ; 
facial  ring  bright  tawny  brown.  Wing :  4.86, 
tail  2.42. 

Distribution.  —  Idaho  and  eastern  Washing- 
ton. 

GENUS   BUBO. 

General  Characters.  —  Length  :  18-23  ;  ear 
tufts  conspicuous  ;  ear  openings  small,  without 
anterior  flap,  the  two  ears  not  distinctly  differ- 
ent ;  wing  with  2  or  3  quills  cut  out ;  toes  cov- 
ered with  short  but  dense  feathers;  claws 
wholly  exposed. 

TJ-WV   TV*    «T>wr>TW«  From  Biological  Survey.  U.  S. 

O    SPECIES.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 

1.  Upper  parts  dark  colored.  mS-  248.    Dwarf  Screech  Owl. 

2.  Feet  barred  with  black  and  buffy pacificus,  p.  186. 

2'.  Feet  barred  with  black  and  rusty  brown  .  .  .  saturatus,  p.  186. 
1'.  Upper  parts  light  colored. 

2.  Upper  parts  largely  gray  and  buffy    ....      pallescens,  p.  185. 

2'.  Upper  parts  largely  white arcticus,  p.  186. 

375a.  Bubo  virginianus  pallescens  Stone.  WESTERN  HORNED 
OWL. 

Adults.  —  Ear  tufts  blackish  ;  iris  bright  yellow  ;  ring  around  face  black ; 
throat  white  ;  rest  of  under  parts  white  or  buffy,  mottled  and  barred  with 
brownish  ;  flanks  buffy ;  upper  parts  mottled  dark  brown,  light  grayish, 
and  buffy,  lighter  colors  prevailing  ;  wing  quills  and  tail  banded  with  dull 
brown ;  whole  plumage  irregularly  varied  with  buffy,  tawny,  whitish,  and 
dusky.  Young :  wing  quills  and  tail  feathers  as  in  adult,  rest  of  plumage 
dull  buffy  or  ochraceous,  everywhere  barred  with  dusky.  Male:  length 
18-23,  extent  about  49-52,  wing  about  14.50-15.25,  tail  8.25.  Female : 
length  22-25,  extent  about  57,  wing  16,  tail  9. 

Distribution.  —  Western  United  States,  east  through  the  Plains,  casually 
to  Wisconsin  and  Illinois ;  and  from  British  Columbia  and  Manitoba  south 
over  the  Mexican  tablelands. 

Nest.  —  A  hole  in  a  hollow  tree,  cliff,  bank,  or  cave,  or  an  old  nest  of  a 
crow  or  hawk.  Eggs :  usually  2  or  3,  white. 

Food.  —  Largely  mammals  such  as  rabbits,  prairie  dogs,  ground  squir- 
rels, skunks,  and  wood  rats,  game  birds,  waterfowl,  smaller  land  birds, 
and,  in  settled  regions,  poultry. 

The  eyesight  of  the  horned  owls  seems  to  be  better  than  that  of 
most  owls,  and  Dr.  Fisher  thinks  that  in  the  breeding  season  they 
hunt  indifferently  night  or  day.  In  disposition,  he  says,  they  are 
"fierce  and  untamable,  and  in  point  of  strength  and  courage  infe- 
rior to  none  of  our  rapacious  birds."  Speaking  of  their  food  habits, 
the  doctor  says  that  "a  bird  so  powerful  and  voracious  may  at  times 
be  a  source  of  great  benefit,  while  at  other  times  it  may  be  the  cause 


186 


HORNED  OWLS,  ETC. 


Fig.  249.     Western  Homed  Owl. 


^fck  °f  great  damage.   Now, 

^•Hft  (tik.  tiie   ser*ous  Broads    it 

.  y  ^•bi        makes  on   the  tenants 

JH  Ir       of  the  poultry  yard,  as 

•<ter        BML  J5  well  as  the  destruction 

BB88^_— — ^S  of  many  game  and  song 

birds,  would  seem  to 
call  for  the  total  sup- 
pression of  the  species. 
Again,  when  engaged 
chiefly  in  the  capture  of 
injurious  rodents,  which 
threaten  the  very  exist- 
ence of  the  crops,  it  is 
the  farmer's  most  valu- 
able ally,  and  conse- 
quently should  be  most 
carefully  protected." 

The  horned  owl  is  one 
of  the  earliest  breeders 
of  the  birds  of  prey. 
In  the  southern  part  of 
its  range,  eggs  are  laid 
in  December  and  January,  and  in  Alaska  they  have  been  found  in 
April  when  it  was  so  cold  that  they  froze  on  being  taken  from  the 
nest. 

375b.  B.  V.  arcticus    (Swains.).    ARCTIC  HORNED  OWL. 

Similar  to  the  western  horned  owl,  but  ground  color  white  and  dark 
markings  usually  much  restricted  ;  under  parts  pure  white,  or  only  slightly 
barred. 

Distribution.  —  Arctic  America,  south  in  winter  to  Nebraska,  and  from 
Dakota  to  Idaho. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  often  a  deserted  hawk's  or  crow's  nest.  Eggs  :  2  or  3, 
white. 

Food.  —  Largely  waterfowl,  ptarmigan,  and  arctic  hares. 

375c.  B.  V.   saturatus   Eidgw.     DUSKY  HORNED  OWL. 

Like  13.  v.  pallescens,  but  plumage  extremely  dark,  face  generally  sooty 
brownish  mixed  with  grayish  white  ;  plumage  usually  without  excess  of 
yellowish  brown,  sometimes  with  none. 

Distribution.  —  West  coast  region  from  Monterey  County,  California,  to 
Alaska,  and  eastward  to  northern  Rocky  Mountains. 

Nest.  — As  described  by  Kennicott,  in  the  top  of  a  spruce,  made  of  dry 
branches,  lined  with  feathers.  Eggs :  probably  2  to  4,  white. 

375d.  B.  V.  pacificus  Cassin.     PACIFIC  HORNED  OWL. 

Small,  strongly  mottled,  upper  parts  grayish,  with  more  or  less  buffy 
admixture  ;  dark  markings  of  under  parts  distinct ;  tarsus  strongly  mottled. 
Wing:  13. 


HORNED  OWLS,  ETC. 


187 


Distribution.  —  Valleys  and  southern  coast  of  California,  and  east  to  San 
Francisco  Mountain,  Arizona. 
Eggs.  —  Usually  3. 

GENUS  NYCTEA. 

376.  Nyctea  nyctea  (Linn.).    SNOWY  OWL. 

Ear  tufts  rudimentary ;  ear  openings  small,  without  anterior  flap,  the 
two  ears  not  distinctly  different ;  tail  not  reaching-  beyond  tips  of  longest 
under  coverts ;  four  outer  quills  emarginate ;  toes  covered  with  long 


From  The  Osprcy. 
Fig.  250. 

hair  -  like  feathers,  partly  or  wholly  concealing  the  claws  ;  bill  nearly 
concealed  by  loral  feathers.  Adult  male  :  body  pure  white,  sometimes 
almost  unspotted,  but  usually  marked  more  or  less  with  transverse  spots 
or  bars  of  slaty  brown.  Adult  female, :  much  darker,  pure  white  only  on 
face,  throat,  middle  of  breast  and  feet,  the  head  spotted,  and  the  rest 
of  the  body  barred  with  dark  brown.  Male  :  length  20-23,  wing  15.50- 
17.30,  tail  9.00-9.70,  bill  1.  Female :  length  23-27,  wing  17.30-18.70,  tail 
9.70-10.30,  bill  1.10. 


188  HORNED  OWLS,  ETC. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  arctic  portions  of  the  northern  hemisphere, 
migrating  south  in  North  America  almost  across  the  United  States  and 
even  reaching,  accidentally,  the  Bermudas. 

Nest.  —  In  a  slight  depression  of  the  ground,  on  a  knoll,  made  of  a  few 
feathers,  lichens,  or  moss.  Eggs :  usually  5  to  7,  white. 

Food.  —  In  summer,  lemmings  and  meadow  mice  ;  in  winter,  fish,  hares, 
muskrats,  squirrels,  rats,  ptarmigans,  ducks,  and  even  offal. 

The  snowy  owl  is  a  circumpolar  species,  breeding  in  the  arctic 
parts  of  the  northern  hemisphere  and  coming  south  in  winter. 

Mr.  Nelson,  while  traveling  south  of  the  Yukon  in  December,  shot 
an  owl  whose  nearly  immaculate  milky  white  plumage  was  suffused 
with  '  a  rich  and  extremely  beautiful  shade  of  clear  lemon  yellow, 
exactly  as  the  rose  blush  clothes  the  entire  plumage  of  some  gulls  in 
spring.  The  morning  after  the  bird  was  killed  the  color  was  gone, 
the  plumage  being  dead  white.' 

GENUS    SURNIA. 

377a.  Surnia  ulula  caparoch  (Mull.).   AMERICAN  HAWK  OWL. 

Head  without  ear  tufts;  ear  openings  small  like  Bubo  and  Nyctea;  tail  long, 
more  than  two  thirds  length  of  wing,  graduated;  tarsus  scarcely  or  not  longer 

than  middle  toe ;  feet  thickly 
feathered  to  claws.  Adults :  face 
grayish  white,  encircled  by  heavy 
black  ring ;  patches  on  throat, 
sides  of  head,  and  back  of  neck 
black;  chest  band  whitish;  rest 

of  under  parts  closely  and  regularly  barred  with  brown  and  white ;  top 
of  head  and  hind  neck  blackish  or  brownish,  dotted  with  white ;  rest  of 
upper  parts  dark  brown,  mainly  spotted  or  barred  with  white.  Young : 
upper  parts  dark  brown,  feathers  of  top  of  head  and  hind  neck  tipped 
with  grayish  buff,  those  of  back  with  indistinctly  lighter  tips ;  lores  and 
ear  coverts  brownish  black  ;  rest  of  face  whitish ;  under  parts  whitish, 
washed  with  sooty  on  chest,  barred  below.  Length:  14.75-17.50,  wing 
about  9,  tail  6.80-7.00. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America,  south  in  winter  to  the  north- 
ern United  States,  casually  to  Massachusetts,  and  rarely  to  the  British  Isles. 
Recorded  from  northern  Montana  and  Newfoundland  in  the  breeding  season. 
Nest.  —  Old  woodpecker  holes,  natural  cavities  in  trees,  and  old  nests  of 
other  species  relined  with  moss  and  feathers.     Eggs :  3  to  7,  white. 

Food.  —  Small  mammals,  such  as  mice,  lemmings,  and  ground  squirrels ; 
also  ptarmigans  and  insects. 

"The  hawk  owl  is  strictly  diurnal,  as  much  so  as  any  of  the  hawks, 
and  like  some  of  them  often  selects  a  tall  stub  or  dead-topped  tree  in 
a  comparatively  open  place  for  a  perch,  where  it  sits  in  the  bright 
sunlight  watching  for  its  prey.  Although  the  flight  is  swift  and 
hawk-like,  it  has  nevertheless  the  soft,  noiseless  character  common 
to  the  other  owls.  When  starting  from  any  high  place,  such  as  the 
top  of  a  tree,  it  usually  pitches  down  nearly  to  the  ground,  and  flies 
off  rapidly  above  the  tops  of  the  bushes  or  high  grass,  abruptly  ris- 


HORNED  OWLS,  ETC.  189 

ing  again  as  it  seeks  another  perch.     The  note  is  a  shrill  cry  which 
is  uttered  generally  while  the  bird  is  on  the  wing."    (Fisher.) 

GENUS   SPEOTYTO. 

378.  Speotyto  cunicularia  hypogaea  (Bonap.).    BURROWING 

Tail  only  about  half  as  long-  as  wing ;  tarsus  more  than  twice  as  long  as 
middle  toe,  scantily  feathered  in  front,  bare 
behind ;  toes  bristly. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  dull  earth  brown, 
spotted  and  barred  with  white  and  buffy ; 
under  parts  mainly  buffy  barred  with  brown. 
Young :  under  parts  mainly  buffy,  unmarked  ; 
upper  parts  plain  brown  except  wings  and 
tail,  which  are  as  in  adults.  Length:  9-11, 
wing-  5.80-7.20,  tail  3.15-3.50,  bill  .55-60. 

Distribution.  —  Plains  region  from  the 
Pacific  east  to  Dakota  and  Texas,  and  from 
British  Columbia  and  eastern  slope  of  Rocky 
Mountains  south  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  At  the  end  of  an  old  burrow  of 
prairie  dog1,  badger,  or  ground  squirrel,  or  in 
a  similar  cavity.  Eggs :  6  to  11,  white.  From  Biological  Survey,  u.  S.  Dept. 

Food.  —  Ground   squirrels,   young   prairie  j^Sa 

dogs,  mice,  gophers,  small  birds,  frogs,  liz- 
ards,  horned  toads,  and  even  fish,  together  with  crickets,  grasshoppers, 
beetles,  scorpions,  and  centipeds. 

When  you  are  living  in  the  owls'  country,  they,  like  the  ground 
squirrels  and  prairie  dogs,  coine  to  seem  a  part  of  the  landscape,  and 
as  you  ride  over  the  great  brown  stretches  you  find  yourself  looking 
for  the  quaint  little  '  Billy  owls '  for  life  and  interest  on  the  mono- 
tonous way.  In  a  region  where  there  are  only  scattered  holes  suit- 
able for  their  nests,  solitary  owls  or  families  are  most  often  seen,  and 
sometimes  there  will  be  as  many  as  nine  around  one  burrow.  But 
where  a  ground  squirrel  colony  or  prairie  dog  town  offers  good  nest 
holes  the  little  owls  gather  in  companies. 

In  dog  towns  they  often  find  spacious  old  badger  holes  to  occupy. 
As  you  walk  about  one  of  the  towns  and  the  dogs  lope  off  to  their 
holes  shaking  their  little  yellow  tails  as  they  disappear,  the  owls 
stand  statue-like  around  their  burrows  with  their  eyes  upon  you.  If 
you  are  bent  on  getting  within  good  photographing  range  the  young 
ones  will  go  backing  down  their  holes,  their  solemn  round  yellow 
eyes  fixed  on  yours  till  they  drop  below  the  earth  line.  Their  elders 
will  probably  fly  before  you  get  your  focus,  though  it  is  only  a  low 
short  flight  to  a  neighboring  mound.  It  rarely  seems  to  occur  to 
them  to  leave  the  town. 

The  association  of  owls,  dogs,  badgers,  and  rattlesnakes  is  far  from 
being  that  of  the  happy  family  circle  it  was  formerly  supposed.  The 


190  HORNED  OWLS,  ETC. 

rattlesnakes  are  evidently  attracted  to  the  towns  by  the  supply  of 
tender  spring  dogs,  and  it  has  been  suspected  that  the  badgers  relish 
a  young  owl  for  breakfast.  The  owls  have  been  accused  of  joining 
in  the  neighborly  round-robin  feast  and  partaking  of  the  young 
dogs,  but,  although  they  eat  squirrels  and  mice  in  spring  and  fall, 
they  live  for  the  most  part  on  grasshoppers  and  crickets.  They 
hunt  mainly  in  the  evening  and  at  night,  but  are  often  seen  catching 
grasshoppers  in  the  daytime. 

GENUS    GLAUCIDIUM. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  3.50-4.40 ;  head  without  ear  tufts ;  ear 
opening's  small,  without  anterior  flap,  the  two  ears  alike ;  nostril  small,  cir- 
cular, opening  near  the  middle  of  the  inflated  cere  ;  tarsus  not  longer  than 
middle  toe,  densely  feathered  ;  tail  more  than  half  as  long  as  wing, 
rounded. 

KEY  TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Sides  plain  brown,  unspotted phalaenoides,  p.  191. 

1'.  Sides  more  or  less  spotted. 

2.  Back  grayer gnoma,  p.  190. 

2'.  Back  browner calif ornicum,  p.  191. 

379.  Glaucidium  gnoma  Wagl    PYGMY  OWL. 

Adults.  —  Very  small,  under  parts  white,  thickly  streaked  with  dark 
brown  ;  sides  brownish,  indistinctly  spotted  with  lighter  ;  upper  parts  dark 
slaty  gray,  olive  brown,  or  dark  rusty  brown  ; 
head   specked    with   white ;   tail  blackish   or 
brownish,  barred  with  white.    Young:  like  adult, 

but  top  of  head  plain  gray.    Length  :  6.50-7.50, 

F.    ^  wing  3.40-4.00,  tail  2.40-2.80. 

Distribution.  —  Timbered  mountain  regions 

of  western  North  America  from  British  Columbia  south  through  Sierra 
Madre  of  Mexico,  except  along  the  humid  Pacific  coast  region. 

Nest.  —  As  far  as  known,  in  old  woodpecker  holes  and  hollow  stubs  from 
8  to  20  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs :  usually  4,  white. 

Food.  —  Mainly  insects,  especially  grasshoppers ;  but  also  mice  and 
lizards. 

"This  little  owl  is  diurnal  in  its  habits,  feeding  and  flying  about 
in  the  bright  sunshine,  though  it  is  more  common  in  the  early  dusk 
and  morning.  Mr.  Henshaw  says  it  is  fond  of  taking  its  station 
early  in  the  morning  on  the  top  of  an  old  stub,  that  it  may  enjoy 
the  warmth  of  the  sun's  rays.  In  most  places  it  is  more  or  less  soli- 
tary, though  in  New  Mexico  Mr.  Henshaw  found  it  extremely  socia- 
ble, and  in  the  fall  it  was  usually  met  with  in  companies. 
'  "  It  is  tame  and  unsuspicious  and  may  be  decoyed  from  a  consid- 
erable distance  by  imitating  its  call-note,  to  which  it  responds  at 
once.  It  is  confined  mostly  to  wooded  districts,  though  occasion- 
ally it  is  found  some  distance  from  timber.  It  hides  in  the  pines  or 


HORNED   OWLS,  ETC.  191 

other  thick  foliage,  where  it  sits  upright  near  the  trunk  and  is  prac- 
tically invisible  to  the  observer. 

' '  The  flight  is  not  very  much  like  that  of  other  owls,  but  resem- 
bles that  of  the  sparrow  hawk  to  some  extent,  and  is  not  altogether 
noiseless.  The  love-notes,  according  to  Captain  Bendire,  are  some- 
what musical,  although  they  resemble  to  some  extent  those  of  the 
mourning  dove."  (Fisher.) 

379a.  G.  g.  calif orni cum  (Sd.).    CALIFORNIA  PYGMY  OWL. 

Similar  to  G.  gnoma  but  browner,  chest  heavily  washed  with  reddish 
brown.  Young :  much  paler,  ash  gray  on  head  and  grayish  brown  on  back, 
unspotted. 

Distribution.  —  Humid  coast  region  from  southern  British  Columbia 
south  to  northern  California. 

Nest.  —  In  deserted  woodpecker  holes.     Eggs :  usually  4,  white. 

Food.  —  Largely  mammals  and  small  birds. 

380.  Glaucidium  phal36noid.es  (Daud.).    FERRUGINOUS  PYGMY 

OWL. 

Adults.  —  Similar  to  the  pygmy  owl,  but  sides  of  breast  plain  brown  or 
rufous,  upper  parts  varying  from  grayish  brown  to  bright  rufous;  head 
finely  streaked  with  whitish  ;  tail  banded,  bars  varying  from  white  to  ru- 
fous and  interspaces  from  grayish  brown  to  blackish.  Young :  top  of  head 
plain.  Length  :  6.50-7.00,  wing  3.50-4.60,  tail  2.20-3.50. 

Distribution.  —  From  Texas,  New  Mexico,  and  Arizona,  south  to  south- 
ern Brazil. 

Nest.  —  As  far  as  known,  in  hollow  trees,  or  woodpecker  holes.  Eggs : 
—  taken  by  Sennett  —  4,  white. 

The  little  ferruginous  owl  is  diurnal  like  the  other  pygmies,  flying 
about  hunting  in  bright  sunlight.  His  note,  as  given  by  Mr.  F. 
Stephens,  is  a  "loud  cuck  repeated  several  times,  as  rapidly  as  twice 
each  second,"  given  with  a  jerk  of  the  tail  and  a  toss  of  the  head. 

GENUS   MICKOPALLAS. 

381.  Micropallas  whitneyi  (Cooper}.    ELF  OWL. 

Head  without  ear  tufts ;  ear  openings  small ;  nostril  small,  circular,  open- 
ing near  the  middle  of  the  inflated  cere ;  tarsus 
longer  than  middle  toe,  scantily  haired  ;  claws  small 
and  weak  ;  tail  even,  less  than  one  half  as  long  as 
wing;  smallest  United  States  owl.  Adults:  face  with 
white  eyebrows  ;  lores  and  throat  band  white,  encir-  Fi£-  254> 

cled  by  brownish  ring ;  under  parts  whitish,  with  vertical  blotches  of  dark 
brown  and  rusty,  finely  mottled  with  darker ;  upper  parts  grayish  or  gray- 
ish brown,  finely  mottled  with  darker  and  rusty,  and  indistinctly  specked 
with  rusty  ;  tail  brownish,  crossed  by  5  or  6  narrow  pale  brownish  or  rusty 
bands,  usually  interrupted  on  middle  feathers.  Length :  5.50-6.25,  wing 
4.00-4.40,  tail  1.90-2.30. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Texas  to  southern  California,  and  south 
through  Lower  California  and  tablelands  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  old  woodpecker  holes  in  giant  cacti  or  hollow  trees.  Eggs :  2 
to  5,  white. 

Food.  —  As  far  as  known,  small  mammals,  grasshoppers,  and  beetles. 


192  PARROTS   AND   PAROQUETS 

Unlike  the  pygmy  owls  the  elf  owls  are  nocturnal,  spending  the 
day  either  in  thickets  or  old  woodpecker  holes.  Major  Bendire  says 
they  become  active  soon  after  sundown.  He  has  had  them  come  to 
his  camp,  attracted  probably  by  the  insects  which  gathered  about 
the  guard  fire  through  the  night. 

When  resting  in  the  daytime  the  little  owls  are  not  too  stupid  to 
protect  themselves,  as  is  shown  by  a  curious  experience  Mr.  F. 
Stephens  had  with  one.  He  startled  the  owl  in  a  willow  thicket,  and 
when  he  found  it  in  the  dense  tangle,  as  he  says,  it  was  "sitting  on 
a  branch  with  its  face  toward  me  and  its  wing  held  up,  shield  fash- 
ion, before  its  face.  I  could  just  see  its  eyes  over  the  wing,  and 
had  it  kept  them  shut  I  might  have  overlooked  it,  as  they  first 
attracted  my  attention.  It  had  drawn  itself  into  the  smallest  possi- 
ble compass  so  that  its  head  formed  the  widest  part  of  its  outline. 
I  moved  around  a  little  to  get  a  better  chance  to  shoot,  as  the  bush 
was  very  thick,  but  whichever  way  I  went,  the  wing  was  always 
interposed,  and  when  I  retreated  far  enough  for  a  fair  shot,  I  could 
not  tell  the  bird  from  the  surrounding  bunches  of  leaves.  At  length, 
losing  patience,  I  fired  at  random  and  it  fell.  Upon  going  to  pick  it 
up  I  was  surprised  to  find  another  which  I  had  not  seen  before,  and 
which  must  have  been  struck  by  a  stray  shot."  (Quoted  by  Bendire.) 


ORDER  PSITTACI:   PARROTS,   MACAWS, 
PAROQUETS,   ETC. 

FAMILY  FSITTACnxai :   PARROTS  AND  PAROQUETS. 

GENUS    RHYNCHOPSITTA. 

382.1.  Rhynchopsitta  pachyrhyncha  (Swains.).  THICK- 
BILLED  PARROT. 

Bill  large,  tip  of  lower  mandible  elongated,  cut  off,  and  flattened ;  tail 
graduated  for  about  one  third  its  length  ;  cere  densely  feathered,  conceal- 
ing the  nostrils.  Adults :  bill  blackish,  body  green  except  for  poppy  red  on 
forepart  of  head  and  wings,  and  lemon  yellow  under  wing  coverts.  Young  : 
similar,  but  bill  mainly  whitish  and  red  restricted.  Length  :  16.00—16.75, 
wing  8.50-10.50,  tail  6.30-7.00,  graduated  for  2.25-2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  bordering  tablelands  of  Mexico ;  northward 
casually  to  the  Chiricahua  Mountains,  Arizona. 

A  flock  of  nine  or  ten  thick-billed  parrots  seen  by  Mr.  Lusk  in  the 
Chiricahua  Mountains  came,  as  he  says,  scolding,  chattering,  and 
calling  up  a  canyon  to  the  edge  of  the  pinon  pine  belt,  where  they 
devoted  themselves  to  getting  the  pinones.  "  Investigation  of  their 
stomachs,"  he  says,  "  showed  nothing  but  a  plentiful  quantity  of 
very  immature  pinones  wrested  from  their  cavities  in  the  hearts  of 
the  hard,  green  cones  by  their  powerful  beaks." 


ANIS,  ROAD-RUNNERS,  AND   CUCKOOS  193 

ORDER   COCCYGES:    CUCKOOS,    ETC. 
(FAMILIES  CUCULID^,  TROGONID.E,  AND  ALCEDINID^J.) 

FAMILY   CUCULIDJE:  ANIS,   ROAD-RUNNERS,  AND 
CUCKOOS. 

KEY   TO  GENERA. 

1.  Tail  feathers  8       Crotophaga,  p.  193. 

1'.  Tail  feathers  10. 

2.  Bill  longer  than  head Geococcyx,  p.  193. 

2'.  Bill  not  longer  than  head     ........   Coccyzus,  p.  195. 

GENUS  CROTOPHAGA. 

384.  Crotophaga  SUlcirostris  Swains.     GROOVE-BILLED  ANI. 
Bill  thick,  with  a  convex  crest ;  wings  rounded  ;  tail  feathers  broad, 

widening  to  very  obtuse  ends.   Adults  : 

dull    black,    feathers    of    body    with 

metallic    bluish,    greenish,    or    bronzy 

edgings  ;  wings  and  tail  faintly  glossed 

with    metallic  bluish  or   violet;  upper  part  of  bill   with    several  distinct 

grooves.     Young:  uniform  sooty  black.     Length:  12.00-14.50,  wing  5.50- 

8.50,  tail  7.30-8.30. 

Distribution.  —  In  Lower  Sonoran  and  Tropical  zones  from  southern 
Texas  south  to  Peru.  Casi\al  in  southern  parts  of  California,  Arizona, 
Louisiana,  and  Florida. 

Nest.  —  Bulky,  made  of  twigs  and  lined  with  green  leaves,  placed  often 
in  an  orange  or  lemon  tree.  Eggs  :  3  to  5,  milky  blue. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  and  parasites  of  cattle. 

The  groove-billed  anis  are  residents  of  the  lowlands,  Major 
Bendire  says,  rarely  being  found  at  an  altitude  of  more  than  700 
feet. 

They  resemble  the  cowbirds  in  their  habit  of  following  cattle,  and 
not  only  catch  the  insects  that  the  cows  start  up  but  do  a  great  deal 
of  good  by  relieving  the  animals  of  the  parasites  which  infest  them. 
When  not  disturbed  the  birds  become  very  tame  and  roost  in  num- 
bers about  the  houses.  Their  call-note,  Dr.  Ralph  .thinks,  suggests 
that  of  the  flicker  — &plee-co  repeated  rapidly. 

GENUS    GEOCOCCYX. 

385.  Geococcyx  californianus  (Less.).    ROAD-RUNNER. 

Bare  space  around  eye,  orange  and  blue;  feathers  of  head  and  neck 
largely  bristle-tipped  ;  whole  plumage  coarse  and  harsh  ;  eyelids  lashed  ; 
wings  short  and  concavo-convex,  with  long  inner  secondaries  folded  entirely 
over  primaries ;  tail  long  and  graduated ;  upper  parts  conspicuously 
streaked  with  brownish  white,  most  heavily  on  wings  ;  crest  and  fore  parts 
of  back  glossed  with  bluish  black,  changing  to  bronzy  green  or  brown ; 
tail  long,  plain  bronzy,  blue  black,  and  green,  graduated,  tips  with  white 


194  ANIS,  ROAD-RUNNERS,  AND   CUCKOOS 


Fig.  256.     Road-runner. 

thumb  marks  except  on  middle  feathers ;  chest  brownish  white,  streaked 
with  black;  throat  and  belly  whitish.  Length:  20-24,  wing  (5.50-7.00, 
tail  11.50-12.00. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones,  from  Browns- 
ville, Texas,  to  San  Diego,  California,  and  from  central  California,  Nevada, 
and  Kansas,  south  across  tablelands  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Compactly  built  of  sticks,  lined  variously  with  grass,  manure 
chips,  feathers,  inner  bark,  mesquite  pods,  snakeskin,  and  roots  ;  placed 
in  cacti,  bushes,  or  low  trees.  Eggs :  usually  4  to  6,  white  or  pale  yel- 
lowish. 

Food.  —  Mice,  snakes,  lizards,  crabs,  snails,  grasshoppers,  centipeds, 
caterpillars,  beetles,  and  cactus  fruit. 

The  road-runner  is  one  of  the  most  original  and  entertaining  of 
western  birds.  The  newcomer  is  amazed  when  the  long-tailed  crea- 
ture darts  out  of  the  brush  and  races  the  horses  down  the  road, 
easily  keeping  ahead  as  they  trot,  and  when  tired  turns  out  into 
the  brush  and  throws  his  tail  over  his  back  to  stop  himself.  Even 
the  oldest  inhabitant  likes  to  talk  about  the  swift  runner  whom  it 
takes  a  'right  peart  cur  to  catch,'  and  who  eats  horned  toads,  comes 
to  drink  and  feed  with  the  hens  in  the  dooryard  one  day,  and  the 
next  may  be  hunted  vainly  in  the  dense  chaparral  or  cactus  where  it 
makes  its  home.  They  tell  you  how  they  have  seen  it  mount  the 


ANIS,  ROAD-RUNNERS,  AND  CUCKOOS  195 

granite  boulders  on  the  hills,  and  after  strutting  about  with  wings 
and  tail  hanging,  put  its  bill  down  on  the  rock  and  pump  out  loud 
notes,  which  they  interpret  as  love-calls  for  its  mate  in  the  brush 
below.  Many  marvelous  yarns  are  spun  over  the  pipes  about  the 
strange  ways  of  this  curious  bird,  especially  about  its  deadly  en- 
counters with  rattlesnakes. 

The  food  of  the  road-runner  may  well  make  him  of  interest  to 
his  neighbors.  In  southern  California,  where  the  passion  vine  is 
used  extensively  for  house  decoration,  it  is  infested  by  a  pestiferous 
caterpillar,  which  he  eats  with  great  avidity.  He  also  affects  other 
pests.  In  the  stomach  of  one  bird,  which  we  got  in  New  Mexico, 
there  were  a  large  black  cricket,  a  number  of  big  grasshoppers, 
remains  of  a  caterpillar  and  some  beetles,  a  centiped  six  inches 
long,  and  a  garter  snake  a  foot  long !  Such  an  appetite  surely  de- 
serves well  at  the  hands  of  its  friends. 

GENUS    COCCYZUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  not  longer  than  head,  and  gently  curved  for 
most  of  its  length  ;  loral  feathers  and  general  plumage  soft  and  blended  ; 
tarsus  naked,  shorter  than  outer  anterior  toe  and  claw. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Bill  with  basal  part  of  lower  mandible  yellow. 
2.  Smaller,  wing  5.61,  with  comparatively  smaller  and  weaker  bill. 

americanus,  p.  195. 
2'.  Larger,  wing  5.84,  with  comparatively  larger  and  stouter  bill. 

occidentalis,  p.  196. 
1'.  Bill  wholly  black  or  bluish    ....     erythrophthalmus,p.  196. 

387.  Coccyzus  americanus  (Linn.).     YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO. 

Adults.  —  Lower  half  of  bill  plain  yellow  ;  under  parts  white  or  ashy  ; 
upper  parts  plain  grayish  brown, 
faintly  glossed  with  green ;  wings 
with  inner  webs  rufous;  tail 
graduated,  all  but  middle  feath- 
ers blue  black,  the  outer  ones 
tipped  with  broad  white  thumb 
marks.  Young  :  tail  feathers 
duller  and  markings  less  dis- 
tinct. Length:  11.00-12.70, 
wing  5.40-5.80,  tail  6.00-6.15  ex- 
posed culmen  .97-1.01,  depth  of 

bilifmarls.  -The'  smaller  size    From  Biolo^ical  Surve^  **'  Dept'  of  ^culture. 
and  smaller  and  weaker  bill  dis- 
tinguish this  species  from  the  California  cuckoo. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  temperate  Nortb  America,  breeding  from  Flor- 
ida north  to  New  Brunswick,  Canada,  and  Minnesota ;  west  to  South 
Dakota,  Nebraska,  Indian  Territory,  and  Texas ;  wintering  south  to  Costa 
Rica  and  the  West  Indies ;  casually  to  eastern  Colorado,  Wyoming,  and 
North  Dakota. 


196  ANIS,  ROAD-RUNNERS,  AND  CUCKOOS 

Nest.  —  A  slight  platform  of  sticks  in  trees.    Eggs :  2  to  4,  bluish  greem. 
Food.  —  Largely  caterpillars,  but  also  grasshoppers,   potato  bugs,  and 
other  insects. 

Both  of  the  yellow-billed  cuckoos  and  also  the  black-billed  have 
been  taken  in  Colorado,  but  their  ranges  have  not  been  fully  deter- 
mined. As  the  yellow-billed  moves  about  in  a  treetop  looking  for 
caterpillars,  it  shows  the  large  white  thumb-marks  of  the  under  side 
of  its  tail,  and  as  it  flies  down  to  a  fence  shows  the  striking  reddish 
brown  of  its  wings.  As  a  family  the  cuckoos  are  little  in  evidence, 
bdng  generally  hidden  in  some  thick  leafy  cover  looking  for  cater- 
pillars. When  they  do  fly  their  long  slender  bodies  pass  swiftly  by 
in  a  straight  line  to  disappear  in  other  cover. 

Their  presence  would  often  be  wholly  unknown  but  for  their 
notes,  which,  like  the  peacock's,  are  considered  a  sign  of  rain  —  rain 
crows  they  are  commonly  called  in  consequence.  They  have  a 
variety  of  notes,  the  commonest  being,  as  Major  Bendire  gives  it, 
noo-coo-coo-coo  or  cow-cow-cow.  In  the  breeding  season  a  number  of 
males  sometimes  get  together  and  give  a  veritable  cuckoo  concert. 

387a.  C.  a.  OCCidentalis  Eidgw.    CALIFORNIA  CUCKOO. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  grayish  brown,  with  faint  green  gloss ;  under 
parts  white,  grayish  across  chest ;  lower  half  of  bill  mainly  yellow  ;  side  of 
head  with  blackish  streak  ;  tail  graduated,  middle  feathers  like  back, 
tipped  with  black,  the  rest  blue  black,  with  broad  white  thumb  marks  on 
tips  ;  wing  quills  mainly  rufous  on  inner  webs.  Young :  like  adults,  but 
tail  duller,  without  blue,  and  white  not  strikingly  contrasted  with  brown. 
Length:  12.30-13.50,  wing  5.50-6.00,  tail  6.10-6.90,  bill  1.02-1.08,  depth 
.of  bill  through  base  .37-.40. 

Distribution.  —  Western  temperate  North  America,  breeding  from  south- 
ern British  Columbia  south  to  central  Tamaulipas  and  northern  Chi- 
huahua, Mexico  ;  from  the  Pacific  east  over  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains  and  western  Texas  ;  migrating  to  northern  Lower  California 
and  tablelands  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  loose  platform  of  twigs,  sometimes  lined  with  leaves,  dry 
grasses,  and  flower  blossoms  ;  placed  usually  in  willow  or  mesquite  thick- 
ets, 10  to  15  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs :  generally  3  or  4,  light  greenish 
blue,  unspotted. 

Food.  —  Caterpillars,  black  crickets,  grasshoppers,  and  other  insects. 

The  California  cuckoo  is  in  all  respects  the  western  counterpart  of 
the  yellow-billed,  from  which  it  can  be  told  only  by  size. 

388.    Coccyzus   erythrophthalmus  (Wils.).    BLACK-BILLED 

CUCKOO. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  grayish  brown,  faintly  glossed  with  green,  tail 
feathers  narrowly  tipped  with  dull  white,  preceded 
by  blackish  bar ;  under  parts  grayish,  fading  to 
white  on  belly;  bill  blackish,  naked  eyelids 
bright  red  in  life.  Young :  above  dull  brown, 
ig.  258.  \vith  coppery  bronzy  luster,  becoming  dull  rusty 


TROGONS  197 

on  wings  and  greenish  on  tail ;  naked  eyelids  plain  yellowish  in  life. 
Length  :  11.00-12.70,  wing  5.12-5.65,  tail  6.25-7.00. 

Remarks.  —  The  black  bill,  absence  of  rufous  on  wings,  and  of  blue  and 
wide  white  thumb  marks  on  tail  distinguish  this  from  the  yellow-billed 
forms. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  Am  erica,  west  to  the  eastern  foothills  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  from  Labrador,  Manitoba,  and  Assiniboia 
south  in  winter  to  the  West  Indies  and  the  valley  of  the  Amazon.  Breeds 
mainly  in  Transition  zone. 

Nest .  —  Better  built  than  that  of  the  other  species,  its  platform  of 
twigs  being  mixed  with  inner  bark,  rootlets,  and  weed  stems,  lined  often 
with  catkins ;  placed  usually  not  over  6  feet  from  the  ground  in  trees  or 
bushes,  on  logs,  or  even  on  the  ground.  Eggs :  2  to  5,  bluish  green. 

Food.  —  Largely  caterpillars. 

The  black-billed  cuckoo  closely  resembles  the  yellow -billed  in 
general  habits.  Both  birds  have  a  trace  of  the  parasitism  of  the  old 
world  species,  sometimes  laying  in  each  other's  nests,  and  on  rare 
occasions  depositing  their  eggs  in  nests  of  other  species.  This  is 
done  more  frequently  by  the  black-billed,  Major  Bendire  thinks. 
He  holds  that  the  real  cause  for  such  unnatural  behavior  on  their 
part  is  not  yet  understood,  as  the  cuckoos  are  most  devoted  parents. 

FAMILY   TROGONIDJE  :  TROGONS. 

GENUS    TROGON. 

389.  Trogon  ambiguus  Gould.    COPPERY-TAILED  TROGON. 

Bill  short  and  thick,  edges  serrated,  gape  bristled  ;  eyelids  lashed  ; 
wings  short  and  rounded ;  tail  long  with  broad  feathers ;  feet  small  and 
weak ;  plumage  soft  and  lax.  Adult  male : 
face  and  throat  black,  bordered  on  breast 
by  white  crescent ;  rest  of  under  parts  rose  -____—- — 

pink  ;  upper  parts  metallic  bronzy  green ;  PJ     259 

wings  mainly  grayish ;  tail  with  middle 
feathers  shading  from  bronzy  to  rich  copper  color,  broadly  tipped  with 
black,  outer  feathers  white,  finely  zigzagged  with  black.  Adult  female  : 
similar,  but  black  of  male  replaced  by  g'ray,  and  metallic  colors  replaced 
by  grayish  brown,  becoming  reddish  brown  on  middle  tail  feathers. 
Young :  head,  neck,  and  chest  dull  brownish  gray,  most  of  under  parts 
grayish ;  eye  ring  and  bar  across  ear  coverts  white ;  rest  of  upper  parts 
brown  ;  wings  with  large  spots  of  buffy  and  black ;  tail  much  like  adult 
female.  Length:  11.25-12.00,  wing  5.10-5.50,  tail  6.50-7.20. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Texas  and  Arizona  south  to  Mexico. 

Food.  —  Fruit  and  grasshoppers  and  other  insects. 

The  trogon  lives  in  pines  in  the  mountains  of  southern  Arizona. 
Its  note  is  described  by  Dr.  Fisher  as  similar  to  that  of  a  hen  turkey. 
The  bird  the  doctor  saw  calling  sat  upright  on  a  pine  branch  with 
tail  hanging,  and  at  each  note  threw  back  its  head  and  pointed  its 
bill  to  the  sky  like  a  peacock. 


198  KINGFISHERS 

FAMILY  ALCEDINID-S!  :   KINGFISHERS. 

GENUS    CEKYLE. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  with  occipital  crest ;  bill  longer  than  head, 
stout,  acute  ;  wings  long  and  pointed  ;  tail  much  shorter  than  wing ;  tarsus 
only  about  half  as  long  as  middle  toe. 

KEY   TO  SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  parts  bluish  gray. 

2.  Belly  white alcyon,  p.  198. 

2'.  Belly  rufous torquata,  p.  199. 

1'.  Upper  parts  metallic  bottle  green  ....  septentrionalis,  p.  199. 

390.  Ceryle  alcyon  (Linn.).     BELTED  KINGFISHER. 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  white,  with  blue  gray  belt  across  breast ; 
crest  and  upper  parts  bluish  gray ;  nuchal  collar  white  ;  wing  quills  black, 


Fig.  260. 


marked  with  white  ;  tail  with  middle  feathers  bluish  gray,  the  rest  black, 
spotted  with  white.  Adult  female  :  similar,  but  belly  partly  banded  and 
sides  heavily  washed  with  rufous.  Young  :  like  adults,  but  male  with 
breast  band  and  sides  tinged  with  rusty.  Length  ;  11.00-14.50,  wing  6.00- 
6.50,  tail  3.80-4.30,  bill  2  or  more. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  from  the  Arctic  Ocean  south  to  Panama 
and  the  West  Indies.  Breeds  from  the  southern  border  of  the  United 
States  northward ;  accidental  at  the  Hawaiian  Islands. 

Nest.  —  A  burrow  4  to  15  feet  long,  in  railroad  cuts  or  perpendicular 
banks  over  water.  Eggs :  usually  5  to  8,  white. 

Food.  —  Fish,  and  when  not  obtainable  frogs,  lizards,  Crustacea,  and 
insects  such  as  coleoptera,  grasshoppers,  and  large  black  crickets. 

So  long  as  the  fishing  is  good  the  kingfisher  is  equally  at  home  in 
Maine,  southern  Texas,  or  the  Yosemite,  but  in  the  Sierra  Nevada 
mountains  the  brown  streams  polluted  by  placer  mining  have  no 
attraction  for  him,  and  when  you  hear  his  rattle  as  you  ride  through 
the  forest  you  may  know  that  near  by  you  will  find  a  clear  mountain 
brook  where  you  may  quench  your  thirst. 

What  rare  spots  the  birds  recall !    They  are  associated  with  the 


KINGFISHERS  199 

quieter  phases  of  nature,  with  still  woodland  pools  and  smooth  lakes, 
where  they  give  a  vivifying  touch  of  active  wild  life.  In  a  remote 
narrow  canyon,  how  they  thrill  you  as  they  dash  by  overhead  —  a 
flash  of  blue  and  white  ! 

When  you  are  idling  beside  a  pellucid  stream  like  the  Merced, 
where  each  overhanging  leafy  branch  is  mirrored,  each  tiny  fish  seen 
as  it  lies  in  the  still  water,  sometimes  a  sudden  plunge  and  splash 
startles  you  from  a  diver  who  before  has  been  watching  from  his 
branch,  as  silent  as  the  brook.  He  circles  back  to  his  perch,  where 
his  fish  glints  in  the  sun  as  he  shakes  it,  and  throwing  up  his  long 
bill,  swallows,  cleans  his  beak  on  the  branch,  and  with  a  satisfied 
rattle  turns  to  look  about,  blue  crest  raised,  white  collar  shining, 
and  short  tail  tipped  up  in  an  animated  way.  Four  plunges  I 
have  seen  him  make  in  almost  as  many  seconds,  stopping  to  preen 
himself  only  after  the  fourth  wetting.  Once  when  he  dived  in  shal- 
low water  he  did  not  take  the  trouble  to  fly  up  but  stood  on  the  sand 
with  tail  at  an  angle  till  he  had  finished  his  fish.  When  watching 
a  pool  he  will  sometimes  stand  in  air  hovering  over  the  water  a 
moment,  then  rise  and  hover  at  a  higher  level. 

Though  generally  found  along  woodland  streams,  the  kingfishers 
are  seen  sometimes  perched  on  the  rigging  of  vessels  in  the  har- 
bors. 

[390.1.]  Ceryle  torquata  (Linn.).  GREAT  RUFOUS-BELLIED  KING- 
FISHER. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  bluish  gray,  more  or  less  streaked  with  black ; 
tail  spotted  with  white ;  throat  and  nuchal  collar  white  ;  breast  and  belly 
rufous;  under  tail  coverts  and  anal  region  white.  Adult  female:  similar, 
but  breast  grayish  blue,  usually  bordered  behind  by  white,  and  lower  tail 
coverts  and  anal  region  rufous.  Length  :  15.50-17.00,  wing  about  7.50. 

Distribution.  —  Tropical  America  (except  West  Indies).  Casual  on  the 
lower  Rio  Grande  in  Texas. 

391-    Ceryle    americana    septentrionalis    Sharpe.     TEXAS 
KINGFISHER. 

Small ;  head  not  crested.  Adult  male  :  upper  parts  green,  spotted  on 
wings  with  white  ;  chest  crossed  by  broad  band  of  chestnut,  bordered  be- 
low, by  green  spots ;  throat,  collar,  and  belly 
white.  Adult  female :  similar  to  male  but  with- 
out chestnut,  and  with  two  bands  of  green  spots 
across  breast.  Young  male :  like  adult,  but 
breast  more  or  less  tinged  with  rusty.  Length :  6.75-8.50,  wing  3.40-3.50, 
tail  2.70-2.75,  exposed  culmen  1.65-1.85. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Texas  and  Sinaloa,  Mexico,  south  to 
Panama. 

Nest.. —  A  burrow  in  a  bank.     Eggs :  5  to  6,  white. 

Food.  —  Like  that  of  Ceryle  alcyon. 

The  habits  of  the  little  Texas  kingfisher  are  said  to  be  the  same  as 


200 


WOODPECKERS 


those  of  its  larger  relative.  In  southern  and  western  Texas  many  of 
its  nests  are  destroyed  by  the  cloud-burst  floods  which  annually 
sweep  the  rivers  there. 


ORDER  PICI:    WOODPECKERS,  ETC. 
FAMILY  PICUXSl:   WOODPECKERS. 

KEY   TO    GENERA. 

1.  Outside  hind  toe  longer  than  outside  front  toe. 
2.  Toes  4,  2  pointing  forward,  2  back. 


Fig.  262. 


t>—      3.  Nasal  groove  extending  only  about  half  way  to  tip  of 
bill Sphyrapicus,  p.  210. 


1    3'.  Nasal  groove  extending  nearly  to  tip  of  bill. 


4.  Plumage  wholly  black  except  for  white  head   and 
white  patch  on  wings  .     .     .     Xenopicus,  p.  207. 

4'.  Plumage  mainly  white  below  and  spotted  with  white 
above Dryobates,  p.  201. 


5   2'.  Toes  3,  2  pointing  forward,  1  back  .    Picoides,  p.  208. 


.  264. 


265. 


1'.  Outside  hind  toe  not  longer  than  outside  front  toe. 


2.  Head   with    con- 
spicuous crest. 
Ceophloeus, 
p.  213. 


2'.  Head      without 
crest. 


Fig.  267. 


3.  Under  surface  of  wing  and  tail  yellow  or  red. 

Colaptes,  p.  220. 

3'.  Under  surface  of  wing  and  tail  not  yellow  or  red  ;  upper 
mandible  with  a  distinct  lateral  ridge  and  nasal  groove. 

Melanerpes.  p.  215. 


WOODPECKERS  201 

GENUS   DRYOBATES. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  straight,  sqnare  at  tip,  beveled  toward  end, 
with  sharp  culmen  and  distinct  lateral  ridges,  and  large  nasal  tufts  hiding 
the  nostrils ;  tongue  greatly  extensile ;  feet  with  outer  hind  toe  longer  than 
outer  front  toe  ;  wing  long,  pointed. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  parts  brown arizonae,  p.  206. 

1'.  Upper  parts  black,  marked  with  white. 

2.  Outer  tail  feathers  plain  white  or  with  only  two  distinct  bars. 

3.  Upper  parts  black,  barred  with  white  ....     nuttallii,  p.  205. 
3'.  Upper  parts  black,  with  a  white  stripe  down  back. 

4.  Wing  coverts  and  tertials  conspicuously  spotted  with  white. 

leucomelas,  p.  201. 

4'.  Wing  coverts  and  tertials  plain  black  or  lightly  spotted  with 
white. 

5.  Under  parts  smoky  gray harrisii,  p.  202. 

5'.  Under  parts  pure  white. 

6.  Smaller hyloscopus,  p.  202. 

6'.  Larger monticola,  p.  203. 

2'.  Outer  tail  feathers  white,  barred  with  black. 
3.  Upper  parts  black,  barred  with  white. 

4.  Outer  web  of  outer  tail  feather  barred  for  more  than  terminal 

half bairdi,  p.  204. 

4'.  Outer  web  of  outer  tail  feather  barred  for  only  terminal  half  or 

less lucasanus,  205. 

3'.  Upper  parts  black,  with  white  stripe  down  back. 

4.  Wing  coverts  conspicuously  spotted  with  white.      Middle  and 

northern  United  States medianus,  p.  204. 

4'.  Wing  coverts  not  conspicuously  spotted  with  white. 
5.  Under  parts  pure  white.      Rocky  Mountain  region. 

homorus,  p.  203. 

5'.  Under  parts  smoky  gray  or  brown.     British  Columbia  to  Cali- 
fornia  gairdnerii,  p.  20o. 

393a.  Dryobates  villosus  leucomelas  (Bodd.}.     NORTHERN 
HAIRY  WOODPECKER. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  black,  with  a  scarlet  band  across  back  of 
crown,  white  stripe  down  back  and  wing  coverts 
and  tertials  conspicuously  spotted  with  white ;  outer 
tail  feathers  plain  white  ;  under  parts  pure  clear 
white.  Adult  female :  similar,  but  without  red 
on  head.  Young :  crown  with  red.  Length :  Fig.  268. 

10-11,  wing  5.02-5.40,  tail  3.60-3.80,  bill  1.40-1.62. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America,  south  to  about  the  northern 
border  of  the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  in  trees.     Eggs :  white. 

Food.  —  Larvae  of  wood-boring  insects,  ants,  and  a  small  amount  of  wild 
fruit,  berries,  and  beechnuts. 

The  hairy  woodpecker,  of  whatever  geographic  race,  is  a  quiet, 
solitary  bird  of  the  timber,  and  you  may  ride  through  the  forests 
day  after  day  without  seeing  it,  as  its  surprising  absence  from  your 


202  WOODPECKERS 

records  on  its  breeding  grounds  attests.  A  sharp  peek  will  sometimes 
reveal  its  presence,  and  if  you  look  quickly  you  may  catch  sight  of  a 
vanishing  back  marked  with  a  white  vertical  line. 

In  working,  the  hairy  woodpecker  takes  short  hops  up  the  tree 
trunk,  sidles  around,  or  backs  down  with  equal  ease.  It  is  a  forest 
preserver,  spending  its  life  in  ridding  the  trees  of  wood-borers  and 
other  insects  that  destroy  them.  When  not  engaged  in  getting  food, 
it  entertains  itself  by  drumming  on  a  resonant  branch. 

The  Harris  woodpecker  is  the  humid  Pacific  coast  form  of  mllosus 
while  Cabanis  is  the  interior  form.  As  mllosus  is  a  Transition  zone 
bird  it  affects  yellow  pines  and  aspens,  and  in  the  ponderosa  forests 
of  Arizona  I  have  seen  it  excavate  in  pine  bark  with  wonderful  dex- 
terity. Instead  of  drilling  straight  down,  with  its  head  on  one  side, 
it  would  fleck  off  and  send  flying  the  thin  flakes  of  bark  which  char- 
acterize the  tree.  In  Arizona  the  young  Cabanis  woodpeckers  leave 
their  nests  about  the  middle  of  June,  Dr.  Mearns  says,  and  soon  after 
make  a  partial  vertical  migration  downward  to  the  lower  edge  of  the 
pine  belt  in  company  with  other  birds  that  breed  at  the  higher  levels. 
In  winter  when  the  timber  gets  icy  the  woodpeckers  sometimes  go 
as  low  as  the  cottonwoods,  where  they  are  usually  accompanied  by 
flocks  of  Cassin  finches,  red-backed  j  uncos,  and  their  especial  com- 
panions, the  slender-billed  nuthatches. 

393c.  D.  v.  harrisii  (And.}.    HARRIS  WOODPECKER. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  black,  with  scarlet  nape,  white  stripe  down 
back,  wing  coverts  and  tertials  plain  black  or  lightly  spotted  with  white ; 
outer  primaries  with  white  spots;  outer 
tail  feather  plain  white  ;  under  parts  smoky 
gray  or  light  smoky  brown.  Adult  female : 
similar,  but  without  scarlet  nape.  Young: 
similar,  but  forehead  spotted  with  white  and 

scarlet  of  nape  extending  partly  or  wholly  over  crown.  Length :  9-10, 
wing  4.70-5.30,  tail  3.20-3.75,  bill  1.12-1.40. 

Remarks.  —  The  plain  black  or  very  lightly  spotted  wing  coverts  and 
tertials  of  harrisii  distinguish  it  from  the  northern  and  southern  hairy 
woodpeckers,  while  its  smoky  under  parts  distinguish  it  from  hyloscopus. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  in  humid  Transition  and  Canadian  zones, 
from  Alaska  south  to  northern  California  (Humboldt  Bay). 
Nest  and  eggs  similar  to  that  of  tbe  northern  hairy. 
Food.  —  Wood-boring  larvae,  wasps,  weevils,  beetles,  ants,  seeds,  and  wild 
berries. 

393d.  D.  v.  hyloscopus  (Cab.).    CABANIS  WOODPECKER. 

Similar  to  D.  v.  harrisii,  but  white  instead  of  smoky  below,  and  some- 
what smaller. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  arid  Transition  zone  of  the  southwestern 
United  States  and  south  to  mountains  of  Zacatecas,  Mexico  —  replaced  by 
harrisii  in  the  humid  coast  district. 

Nest.  —  Usually  12  to  18  feet  from  the  ground  in  pines,  aspens,  and  other 
trees.  Sggs :  3 'to  6,  white. 


WOODPECKERS  203 

Fo*d.  —  Mainly  injurious  larvae  and  insect  eggs,  with  small  berries  and 
seeds,  pinon  nuts,  pine  seeds,  and  acorns. 

393e.  D.  V.  monticola  Anthony.  ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  HAIRY 
WOODPECKER. 

Like  hyloscopus,  but  larger,  clearer  white  below,  and  with  lores  chiefly 
or  wholly  black.  Male  :  wing  5.23,  tail  4,  bill  from  nostril  1.12.  Female : 
wing  5.04,  tail  3.80,  bill  from  nostril  .95. 

Remarks.  —  The  Rocky  Mountain  woodpecker  is  equal  in  size  and  inter- 
grades  with  the  northern  hairy,  but  typical  specimens  of  each  can  be  dis- 
tinguished by  the  unspotted  wing  coverts  and  tertials  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tain bird. 

Distribution.  — Rocky  Mountain  region  of  the  United  States  from  New 
Mexico  to  Montana  ;  west  to  Utah. 

Food.  —  Moths,  wood-boring  beetles,  ants,  other  insects,  and  spiders. 

394a.  Dryobates   pubescens  gairdnerii   (Aud.).    GAIRDNER 

WOODPECKER.1 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  black,  with  dingy  whitish  forehead,  scarlet 
nape,  and  white  stripe  down  back ;  middle  and 
greater  wing  coverts  plain  black,  or  only  lightly 
spotted   with   white ;    outer    tail  feathers    white, 
barred  with  black ;  under  parts   smoky  gray   or  Fjg  270. 

light  smoke  brown.     Adult  female:  similar,  but 

without  scarlet  on  nape.  Young :  similar,  but  with  red  of  nape  extending 
partly  or  wholly  over  crown.  Length:  6.25-7-00,  wing  3.55-4.15,  tail 
2.30-2.70,  bill  .70-.80. 

Remarks.  —  The  black  barring  on  the  outer  tail  feathers  and  the  small 
size  of  D.  p.  gairdnerii  distinguish  it  from  D.  villosus  harrisii,  while  its 
smoky  under  parts  and  barred  tail  feathers  distinguish  it  from  D.  p.  ho- 
morus,  and  its  lack  of  conspicuous  wing  covert  spotting  from  D.  p.  me- 
dianus. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia  south  to  southern  California ; 
east  beyond  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  Cascade  ranges. 

Nest .  —  4  to  20  feet  from  the  ground  in  deciduous  trees  or  old  stumps. 

Eggs :  4  or  5,  white. 

Food.  —  Noxious  insects  and  larvae,  ants,  caterpillars,  and  scale  insects. 

The  Gairdner  woodpecker  is  the  Pacific  coast  form  of  the  downy, 
and  though  smaller  resembles  the  hairy  in  appearance  and  habits. 
It  is  less  solitary  and  less  a  bird  of  the  forest  than  the  hairy,  being 
found  in  willows  and  along  streams  in  the  foothills,  and  in  settled 
districts  in  orchards,  where  it  does  incalculable  good  by  making  way 
with  wood-borers  that  ruin  the  trees. 

394b.  D.  p.  homorus  (Cab.).     BATCHELDER  WOODPECKER. 

Like  gairdnerii  but  larger,  except  for  the  feet,  which  are  relatively 

1  Dryobates  pubescens  turati  (Malh.)-     WILLOW  WOODPECKER. 

Like  gairdnerii  but  smaller,  with  lighter  under  parts  and  spotted  tertials. 

Distribution.  —  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  of  California  except :  desert 
ranges  east  of  Sierra  Nevada,  including  east  slope  of  Sierra  (?)  coast  region  north  of 
Mendocino  County  and  region  north  of  upper  end  of  Sacramento  valley.  (The  Condor, 
iv.  68.) 


204  WOODPECKERS 

smaller ;  under  parts  pure  white  instead  of  smoky  brown,  and  under  tail 
coverts  immaculate  instead  of  spotted  or  barred  with  black,  and  outer  tail 
feathers  nearly  pure  white.  Wing  4,  tail  2.62,  bill  .73. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  of  the  Rocky 
Mountain  region  in  British  Columbia  and  the  United  States,  and  in  south- 
ern California. 

Nest .  —  5  to  50  feet  from  the  ground.     Eggs :  5  or  6,  white. 

In  Arizona  Dr.  Mearns  found  the  Batchelder  woodpecker  nesting 
in  the  yellow  pine  belt,  and  going  up  into  the  spruces  on  the  cone 
of  San  Francisco  Mountain.  One  of  the  birds  picked  out  a  dry 
aspen,  and  drummed  regularly  about  his  camp. 

394c.  D.  p.  medianus  (Swains.).    DOWNY  WOODPECKER. 

Like  D.  p.  gairdnerii,  but  wing  coverts  conspicuously  spotted  with  white 
and  under  parts  soiled  whitish.  Wing :  3.72,  tail  2.40,  bill  .60. 

Distribution.  —  Middle  and  northern  parts  of  eastern  United  States, 
north  to  southern  Keewatin. 

The  downy  woodpecker  is  a  quiet,  friendly  little  bird  who  prefers 
to  hunt  wood-borers  in  orchards  rather  than  in  deep  forests,  and 
who  will  gladly  come  to  a  tree  beside  the  house  if  a  bit  of  suet  is 
hung  there  for  him.  He  is  so  absorbed  in  his  good  work  that  he 
goes  about  his  business  with  little  fear  of  man,  and  his  sharp  peek, 
peek,  may  often  be  heard  even  from  city  trees. 

896.  Dryobates  scalaris  bairdi  (MalL).    TEXAN  WOODPECKER. 

Adult  male:   Upper  parts,  including  entire   outer  tail  feathers,  barred 
black  and  white,  but  middle  tail  feathers  plain 
black ;  forehead  smoky  and  crown  red,  crown 
feathers  with  red  preceded  by  specks  of  white  ; 
271.  under  parts  smoky,  lightly  spotted  with  black. 

Adult  female  :  similar,  but  crown  black.  Young : 
crown  more  or  less  extensively  red.  Length:  7.00-7.75,  wing  3.90-4.25, 
tail  2.45-2.75  exposed  culmen  .S3-.93. 

Remarks.  —  See  remarks  under  Dryobates  nuttallii. 

Distribution. — Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  Texas  to  Califor- 
nia, and  from  southern  Colorado  to  Utah,  Nevada,  and  south  to  northern 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Usually  5  to  14  feet  from  the  ground  in  pines,  oaks,  junipers, 
mesquite,  hackberry,  agaves,  yuccas,  and  other  trees;  also  fence  posts  and 
telegraph  poles.  Eggs  :  usually  4  or  5,  white. 

Food.  —  Wood-boring  larvae,  weevils,  ants,  and  the  ripe  fruit  of  the  giant 
cactus. 

The  little  Texan  downy  or  '  speckle-check,'  as  it  is  called,  is  a 
bird  of  the  lowlands,  rarely  going  above  five  thousand  feet.  In 
western  Texas  it  is  more  generally  distributed  than  any  other  wood- 
pecker, occurring  alike  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  among 
the  junipers,  oaks,  and  pinon  pines  of  the  Chisos,  Davis,  and 
Guadalupe  mountains,  and  among  cottonwoods,  willows,  mesquites, 
and  yuccas  of  the  hot  valleys.  In  the  mountains  it  is  found  with 


WOODPECKERS  205 

the  red-shafted  flicker  and  the  ant-eating  woodpecker,  and  in  south- 
ern Texas  with  the  golden-fronted  woodpecker.  The  thin  voice  of 
bairdi  betrays  his  presence  when  he  is  hidden,  but  he  is  often  in 
evidence,  peeking  around  a  post  or  tree  trunk  at  you. 

Where  there  are  trees  he  nests  in  them,  where  there  are  none  he 
accommodates  himself  to  circumstances  and  nests  in  yuccas,  fence 
posts,  and  telegraph  poles.  On  throwing  open  a  gate  the  traveler 
is  sometimes  surprised  by  the  screams  of  a  brood  in  the  gate  post. 

396a.  D.  S.  lucasanus  (Xantus).  SAINT  LUCAS  WOODPECKER. 

Similar  to  bairdi,  but  outer  tail  feather  barred  only  on  terminal  half 
or  less,  except  sometimes  on  inner  web,  and  primary  coverts  with  at  least 
one  row  of  small  white  spots.  Length:  7.25-7.75,  wing  3.95-4.10,  tail 
2.70-2.90,  exposed  culmen  .91-.94. 

Distribution.  —  From  about  latitude  34°  in  the  Colorado  Desert,  Califor- 
nia, south  through  Lower  California. 

397.  Dryobates  nuttallii  (Gamb.}.    NUTTALL  WOODPECKER. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  barred  with  black   and  white,  but  forehead 
dingy;   crown    black,  sometimes  streaked    with 
white  ;  back  of  head  with  red  patch  ;  hind  neck 
white ;  shoulders  crossed  by  wide  black  band  ; 
middle  tail  feathers  black,  and  outer  feathers  Fig  075 

with  not  more  than  two  distinct  black  bars ; 
under  parts  almost  pure  white  ;  sides  spotted  with  black.  Adult  female  : 
similar,  but  without  red  on  head.  Young :  similar,  but  top  of  crown  red, 
nape  black,  and  under  parts  more  thickly  barred  with  black.  Length : 
7,  wing  3.90-4.20,  tail  2.60-3.05,  exposed  culmen  .77-.S2. 

Remarks.  —  The  difference  in  color  pattern  of  head  and  outer  tail  feath- 
ers distinguish  nuttallii  from  scalaris  bairdi. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Upper  Sonoran  (and  Transition  ?)  zone,  west 
of  the  Cascade  and  Sierra  Nevada  Mountains,  from  southern  Oregon  south 
to  northern  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  In  dead  limbs  or  old  stubs  of  oaks,  sycamores,  cottonwoods, 
elders,  and  willows,  at  no  great  height  from  the  ground.  Eggs  :  4  to  6,  white. 

Food.  —  Mainly  insects  and  larvae,  including  caterpillars,  ants,  weevils, 
seeds,  and  probably  occasionally  berries  and  fruit. 

The  cross-bars  on  the  back  and  the  white  feathers  on  the  sides  of 
the  tail  mark  this  little  woodpecker  as  it  clings  to  a  tree  trunk  or 
flies  across  to  another  bole.  It  has  a  nuthatch-like  way  of  flying  up 
to  light  on  the  under  side  of  a  limb,  and  when  hanging  upside  down 
turns  itself  around  with  as  much  ease  as  a  fly  on  a  ceiling. 

At  times  the  small  Nuttall  waxes  excited,  and  shakes  his  wings 
as  he  gives  his  thin,  rattling  call.  All  his  notes  are  thin,  and  his 
quee-quee-quee-queep'  has  a  sharp  quality.  His  chit'tah  is  a  dimin- 
utive of  the  ja'cob  of  the  California  woodpecker.  He  is  a  sturdy 
little  fellow,  and  in  flight  will  sometimes  rise  high  in  air  and  fly 
long  and  steadily,  dipping  only  slightly  over  the  brush.  He  has 
the  full  strength  of  his  convictions  and  will  drive  a  big  flicker  from 


206  WOODPECKERS 

a  sycamore  and  then  stretch  up  on  a  branch  and  call  out  triumph- 
antly. Two  Nuttalls  trying  to  decide  whether  to  fight  are  an 
amusing  sight.  They  shake  their  feathers  and  scold  and  dance 
about  as  if  they  were  aching  to  fly  at  each  other,  but  couldn't 
quite  make  up  their  minds  to  so  grave  a  matter. 

398.  Dryobates  arizonse  (Hargitt).    ARIZONA  WOODPECKER. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  plain  brown,  except  for  red  nape  bordered  by 
conspicuous  white  patches,  white  spotting  on  wing1  quills,  and  white  bar- 
ring- on  outer  tail  feathers  ;  under  parts,  including  under  tail  coverts  heav- 
ily spotted  with  brown.  Adult  female:  similar,  but  without  red  on  head. 
Young :  like  adults  of  respective  sexes,  but  top  of  head  brown  like  back, 
and  spotted  with  red.  Length :  7.40-8.40,  wing  4.40-4.65,  tail  2.55-2.95, 
exposed  culmen  .90-1.05. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone,  from  the  mountains  of 
southwestern  New  Mexico  and  southern  Arizona  south  to  northwestern 
Mexico. 

Nest.  — 10  to  20  feet  from  the  ground.     Eggs :  3  or  4,  white. 

"This  rare  woodpecker  is  a  common  species  on  the  foothills  of 
the  Chiricahua  Mountains,  where  it  was  one  of  the  first  birds  that 
met  my  eye  when  the  section  where  it  abounds  was  first  entered.  .  .  . 
So  far  as  I  could  ascertain,  at  this  season  at  least,  it  is  confined  to 
the  region  of  the  oaks,  ranging  from  about  4000  to  7000  feet,  thus 
inhabiting  a  region  about  midway  between  the  low  valleys  and  the 
mountain  districts  proper.  Here  they  appeared  to  be  perfectly  at 
home,  climbing  over  the  trunks  of  the  oaks  with  the  same  ease  and 
rapidity  of  movement  that  distinguish  the  motions  of  the  downy  or 
hairy  woodpecker  ;  though  their  habits,  in  so  far  as  they  are  at  all 
peculiar,  are,  perhaps,  best  comparable  to  those  of  the  red-cockaded 
woodpecker  of  the  south  (Dryobates  borealis),  especially  their  custom 
of  moving  about  in  small  companies  of  from  five  to  fifteen,  though 
they  were  occasionally  found  singly  or  in  pairs. 

"  When  in  pursuit  of  food,  they  almost  always  alighted  near  the 
base  of  the  trees,  gradually  ascending,  and  making  their  way  along  the 
smaller  limbs  and  even  out  among  the  foliage,  appearing  to  prefer 
to  secure  their  food  by  a  careful  search  than  by  the  hard  labor  of 
cutting  into  the  wood  in  the  way  the  hairy  woodpecker  employs  its 
strength.  ...  I  found  them  at  all  times  rather  shy,  and  gifted  with 
very  little  of  that  prying  curiosity  which  is  seen  in  some  of  the 
better  known  species  of  this  family ;  and  if  by  chance  I  surprised  a 
band  feeding  among  the  low  trees,  a  sharp  warning  note,  from  some 
member  more  watchful  than  the  rest,  communicated  alarm  to  the 
whole  assembly,  when  they  took  flight  immediately,  showing  great 
dexterity  in  dodging  behind  trunks  and  limbs,  and  making  good 
their  retreat  by  short  flights  from  one  tree  to  another  till  they  were 
out  of  sight."  (Henshaw.) 


WOODPECKERS  207 

GENUS   XENOPICUS. 

399.  Xenopicus  albolarvatus  (Cass.).    WHITE-HEADED  WOOD- 
PECKER. 

Outer  hind  toe  longer  than  outer  front  toe  ;  bill  with  nasal  groove  ex- 
tending nearly  to  tip ;  terminal  half  of  bill 
not  distinctly  compressed  ;  tongue  very 
slightly  extensile*.  Adult  male:  head  and 
neck  white,  whole  body  black  except  for  white 
patch  on  wings  and  red  patch  on  back  of  head.  ^*%'  ^^' 

Adult  female :  similar,  but  without  red  on  head.  Young  male :  similar, 
but  back  and  red  on  crown  duller.  Length:  8.90-9.40,  wing  5.00-5.10, 
tail  4.00-4.05. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  of  the  moun- 
tains from  southern  British  Columbia  to  southern  California,  east  to  the 
Blue  Mountains  of  Oregon,  eastern  Idaho,  and  along  the  eastern  slope  of 
the  Sierra  Nevada. 

Nest.  —  Usually  4  to  15  feet  from  the  ground  in  stub  of  pine  or  fir. 
Eggs :  usually  3  to  7,  white. 

Food. —  Insects  and  larvae  which  are  found  under  the  scales  of  pine  bark. 

In  the  Transition  zone  forests  of  Mount  Shasta  and  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  one  of  the  most  striking  birds  is  the  white-headed  wood- 
pecker. Impossible  as  it  would  seem  at  first  sight,  I  have  found 
that  the  snow-white  head  often  serves  the  bird  as  a  disguise.  It 
is  the  disguise  of  color  pattern,  for  the  black  body  seen  against 
a  tree  trunk  becomes  one  of  the  black  streaks  or  shadows  of  the 
bark,  and  the  white  head  is  cut  off  as  a  detached  white  spot  with- 
out bird-like  suggestions.  On  the  other  hand,  when  the  bird  is  ex- 
ploring the  light-barked  young  Shasta  firs  or  gray,  barkless  tracts 
of  old  trees,  the  white  of  the  head  tones  in  with  the  gray  and  is  lost, 
the  headless  back  again  becoming  only  a  shadow  or  scar.  But  the 
most  surprising  thing  of  all  is  to  see  the  sun  streaming  full  on  the 
white  head  and  find  that  the  bird  form  is  lost.  The  white  in  this 
case  is  so  glaring  that  it  fills  the  eye  and  carries  it  over  to  the  light 
streaks  on  the  bark,  making  the  black  sink  away  as  insignificant. 
All  this  applies,  however,  only  when  the  bird  is  quiet ;  in  motion  he 
is  strikingly  conspicuous,  and  in  flight  his  white  wing  streak  makes 
another  good  recognition  mark.  Dr.  Merrill  noticed  some  interest- 
ing phases  of  this  disguise  at  Fort  Klamath.  There,  he  says,  the 
pines  have  stubs  of  branches  projecting  an  inch  or  two  from  the 
trunk  which,  lit  by  the  sun,  appear  white  themselves  and  cast  a 
black  shadow.  In  winter  when  a  little  snow  has  lodged  on  these 
stubs  the  resemblance  is  still  greater,  often  leading  one  to  mistake 
a  stub  for  a  bird. 

Xenopicus  works  with  apparent  indifference  on  trunks  or  branches. 
Like  the  Nuttall  woodpecker  he  often  lights  upside  down.  In  hunt- 
ing over  the  bark  he  easily  backs  down  the  trunk,  or  if  he  takes  the 


208 


WOODPECKERS 


notion  will  fly,  or  perhaps  drop  backwards,  a  foot  or  so.  He  will 
also  light  sidewise  on  a  branch  and  grasp  the  limb  with  his  tail  as  if 
afraid  of  falling  off.  It  is  interesting  to  see  him  explore  cracks  in 
the  bark.  Standing  on  the  edge  he  pokes  his  head  into  the  dark 
cavern,  turning  it  from  one  side  to  the  other  inquiringly.  Dr. 
Merrill  has  called  attention  to  the  fact  that  he  uses  his  bill  as  a  crow- 
bar rather  than  a  hammer  or  chisel  as  other  woodpeckers  do,  prying 
off  the  layers  of  bark  so  quietly  that  you  rarely  hear  him  at  work. 

The  call -note  of  Xenopicm  is  much  like  that  of  a  Dry  abates, 
though  it  seems  duller  and  heavier. 

QBNUS  PICOIDES. 

General  Characters.  —  Foot  with  3  toes,  2  pointing  forward  and  1  back ; 
bill  broad  and  wide  at  base,  straight,  with  beveled  end,  lateral  ridges, 
and  nasal  tufts  hiding  the  nostrils. 

KEY  TO  ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Back  wholly  black arcticus,  p.  208. 

1'.  Back  marked  with  white. 

2.  Median  line  of  back  continuously  white       .     .     .     dorsalis,  p.  209. 
2'.  Median  line  of  back  not  continuously  white. 

3    Median  line  of  back  black  and  white,  black  prevailing. 

americanus,  p.  209. 
.°»'.  Median  line  of  back  usually  black  and  white,  white  prevailing. 

fasciatus,  p.  209. 

400.  Picoides  arcticus  (Swains.). 
ARCTIC  THREE-TOED  WOOD- 
PECKER. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  glossy  blue 
black  except  for  squarish  yellow  crown 
patch,  fine  white  spotting"  on  wings,  and 
plain  white  outer  tail  feathers ;  sides  of 
head  black  and  white ;  under  parts  white, 
heavily  barred  with  black  on  sides.  Adult 
female:  similar,  but  without  yellow  on 
head.  Young  male :  like  adult,  but  yel- 
low crown  patch  more  restricted,  black 
of  upper  parts  duller,  under  parts  tinged 
with  brown.  Young  female:  crown  black, 
sometimes  with  trace  of  yellow.  Length : 
D.50-10.00,  wing  4.85-5.25,  tail  3.60,  bill 
1.40-1.60. 

Distribution.  — Northern  North  Amer- 
ica from  the  arctic  regions  to  the  north- 
ern United  States  (New  England,  New 
York,  Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Minnesota, 
Montana,  Idaho,  California,  and  Nevada.) 


U.  S.Dept.  of 
Agriculture. 
Fig.  274. 


WOODPECKERS  209 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  dead  trees  or  stumps  rarely  above  8  feet  from  the 
ground.  Eggs :  generally  4,  white. 

Food.  —  Almost  wholly  wood-boring  insects  and  larvae. 

"The  arctic  three-toed  woodpecker  is  essentially  a  bird  of  the 
pine,  spruce,  fir,  and  tamarack  forests,  and  is  rarely  seen  in  other 
localities.  It  is  generally  a  resident,  rarely  migrating  to  any  distance. 
.  .  .  Like  the  hairy  woodpecker,  they  are  persistent  drummers,  rat- 
tling away  for  minutes  at  a  time  on  some  dead  limb,  and  are  espe- 
cially active  during  the  mating  season  in  April.  I  have  located  more 
than  one  specimen  by  traveling  in  the  direction  of  the  sound  when 
it  was  fully  half  a  mile  away."  (Bendire.) 

401.  Picoides  americanus  Brehm.  AMERICAN  THREE-TOED  WOOD- 
PECKER. 

A  dull  male.  —  Upper  parts  mainly  black,  with  whitish  nuchal  band  and 
light  spotting  or  barring  on  head  and  back  ;  wing  quills  lightly  barred  with 
white,  outer  tail  feathers  mainly  plain  white ;  crown  with  yellow  patch, 
back  of  head  glossed  with  blue  ;  under  parts  white,  sides  and  flanks  barred 
with  black.  Adult  female:  similar,  but  without  yellow  on  crown.  Length: 
9,  wing  4.40-4.60,  tail  3.10-3.75,  bill  1.10-1.25. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains ; 
south  to  the  northern  border  of  the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  in  coniferous  trees,  4  to  12  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs : 
usually  4,  white. 

Food.  —  Principally  wood-boring  insects  and  their  larvae. 

The  habits  of  the  American  are  similar  to  those  of  the  arctic 
three-toed  woodpecker,  though  it  is  considered  by  Mr.  Williams  of 
Montana  a  much  more  silent  bird,  its  calls  resembling  those  of 
Dryobates  rather  than  Picoides. 

40 la.  P.  a.  fasciatus  Baird.    ALASKAN  THREE-TOED  WOODPECKER. 

Similar  to  P.  a.  dorsalis,  but  back  usually  distinctly  barred  with  black 
(rarely  continuously  white  along  middle  line),  secondaries  more  distinctly 
spotted  with  white  (sometimes  wing-coverts  also  spotted,  more  or  less 
numerously  with  white),  white  spots  on  quills  larger,  and  female  some- 
times with  white  prevailing  on  top  of  head.  Length :  9.50,  wing  4.50-4.70, 
tail  3.10-3.75,  bill  1.10-1.25. 

Distribution.  —  Alaska,  south  to  northern  Washington. 

40 lb.  P.  a.  dorsalis  Baird.     ALPINE  THREE-TOED  WOODPECKER. 

Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  americanus,  but  middle  of  back  continuously 
white,  mostly  streaked  ;  side  of  head  with  two 
conspicuous    white    stripes.      Adult  female : 
similar,  but  browner,  and  under  parts  dingy  ^^ 

white  ;  head  without  yellow  patch,  blue  black, 
lightly  flecked  with  white.     Young :  like  fe- 
male, but  with  more  or  less  yellow  streaking  on  crown.     Length:  9.50, 
wing  4.65-5.00,  tail  3.20-3.65,  bill  1.15-1.30. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Boreal  zone  from  Arizona  and  New  Mexico 


210 


WOODPECKERS 


north  through  the  Rocky  Mountains  region  of  the  United  States  and 
Canada  to  Fort  Liard. 

Nest.  —  Described  by  Dr.  Mearns,  in  a  pine  30  feet  from  the  ground, 
containing  5  white  eggs. 

Food.  —  Largely  wood-boring  larvse. 

The  Alpine  three-toed  resembles  the  American,  being  found  like  it 
largely  in  the  fire-blackened  timber. 

GENUS    SPHYBAPICUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  not  so  stout  and  chisel-like  as  in  Dryobates 
and  Picoides,  wedge-shaped,  pointed,  nasal  groove  extending  only  about 
half  way  to  tip  of  bill ;  tongue  scarcely  extensile,  the  tip  brushy ;  tail 
feathers  long,  pointed ;  feet  with  inner  toe  extremely  short. 

KEY   TO  ADULT  MALES. 

1.  Head,  neck,  and  chest  red. 

2.  Belly  yellow ruber,  p.  211. 

2'.  Belly  olive  yellow.  Northwest  coast  .  .  .  notkensis,  p.  212. 
1'.  Head,  neck,  and  chest  with  black,  white,  and  red. 

2.  Upper  parts  glossy  black thyroideus,  p.  212. 

2'.  Upper  parts  black,  spotted  with  white. 

3.  Nape  brownish  white varius,  p.  210. 

3'.  Nape  more  or  less  tinged  with  red   .     .     .     .     .    nuchalis,p.  211. 

402  Sphyrapicus  varius  (Linn.).  YELLOW-BELLIED  SAPSUCKEK. 
Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  the  red-naped  sapsucker  (402a),  but  nape 

brownish  white,  and  black  malar 
stripes  separating  red  of  throat 
from  white  cheek  stripes.  Adult 
female :  throat  entirely  white,  and 
crown  sometimes  without  red. 
Young :  head,  neck,  and  chest 
mottled  brown,  the  color  pattern 
of  adults  only  faintly  indicated. 
Length:  7.75-8.75,  wing  (male) 
4. 80-5.00,  tail  2.90-3.20,  bill  1.00- 
1.08. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  east- 
ern North  America,  from  north 
of  Fort  Simpson  to  Massachu- 
setts ;  south  in  winter  to  West 
Indies,  Mexico,  and  Costa  Rica. 

Nest.  —  In  dead  or  decaying 
trees,  15  to  60  feet  from  the 
ground.  Eggs  :  4  to  7,  white. 

Food.  —  Large  numbers  of  ants 
and  flies,  also  bugs,  wasps,  crick- 
From  Biological  Survey,  TJ.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture,  ets,  and  other  insects,  wild  fruits, 
Fig.  276.  seeds,  nuts,  inner  bark,  and  sap. 

The  eastern  yellow-bellied  sapsucker  occasionally  wanders  as  far 
west  as  Wyoming.  Like  the  other  sapsuckers  it  leaves  a  blazed 
trail  behind  it,  —  a  girdle  of  squarish  holes  on  its  food  trees.  If 


WOODPECKERS  211 

the  trees  are  delicate  birches  they  will  probably  be  killed  in  time, 
but  the  forest  trees  are  too  hardy  to  be  affected  by  the  loss  of  sap, 
and  as  the  sweet  syrup  attracts  a  host  of  insects,  the  sapsucker  does 
a  good  piece  of  work  in  destroying  them.  He  ranks  next  to  the 
flicker  as  an  ant-eater,  one  third  of  his  solid  food  consisting  of  ants. 
While  watching  his  -fly-trap  he  clings  to  the  trunk  as  motionless  as 
if  glued  there. 

402a.  Sphyrapicus  varius  nuchalis  Baird.    RED-NAPED  SAP- 
SUCKER. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  black,  thickly  marked  with  white ;  wing- 
coverts  plain  black,  with  wide  white  outer 
stripe ;  head  with  red  crown  and  red  nuchal 
patch  separated  by  a  plain  black  area  ;  sides  of 
head  with  white  stripes ;  chest  black  between  red 
throat  and  pale  yellow  belly.  Adult  female : 

similar,  but  duller,  and  black  chest  patch  mostly  mottled  gray.  Young  : 
duller,  red  of  head  and  throat  wholly  wanting1  or  only  suggested  by  pale 
claret-colored  tinge.  Length:  8.00-8.75,  wing  (male)  4.92-5.10,  tail'3.10- 
3.40,  bill  .95-1.02. 

Remarks.  —  In  the  field  the  black  chest  patch  easily  distinguishes  the 
adult  male  nuchalis  from  ruber  (403). 

Distribution.  —  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  in  the  Rocky  Mountain 
region,  from  British  Columbia  to  northwestern  Mexico,  and  cape  region 
of  Lower  California,  and  from  Colorado  and  Montana  west  to  the  eastern 
slope  of  the  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nevada ;  casual  to  western  Kansas  and 
coast  mountain  region  of  California. 

Nest.  —  Generally  in  aspens,  5  to  30  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs : 
usually  4  or  5,  white. 

Food.  —  Principally  small  beetles,  spiders,  grasshoppers,  ants,  and  larvae 
under  the  loose  bark  of  trees  ;  also  wild  berries,  and  in  fruit  growing  sec- 
tions the  sap  of  peach  and  apple  trees,  and  willows. 

The  members  of  the  genus  Sphyrapicus  form  a  marked  group. 
They  are  sapsuckers,  girdling  the  trees  with  small  holes,  from  which 
they  get  a  perennial  supply  of  sap  with  a  host  of  attracted  insects  to 
vary  the  diet.  Their  tongues  are  only  slightly  extensile,  and  have 
brushy  tips  in  sharp  contrast  to  the  long  barbed  tongues  of  the 
Dryobates  group,  which  spear  their  food  from  the  depths  of  the 
wood. 

In  the  nesting  season,  at  least,  the  sapsuckers  are  extremely  noisy, 
active  birds,  striding  up  the  tree  trunks,  calling  loudly  in  tantalizing 
tones,  and  chasing  each  other  about  in  fine  spirited  fashion. 
•  The  red-naped  breeds  along  the  borders  of  streams  in  the  moun- 
tains of  the  interior. 

403.  Sphyrapicus  ruber  (GmeL).    RED-BREASTED  SAPSUCKER. 

Adults.  —  Whole  head,  neck,  and  chest 
plain  red,  or  black  and  white  markings  of 
nuchalis  only  suggested ;  back,  wings,  and 
tail  black,  heavily  marked  with  white  ;  belly  Fig.  278. 


212  WOODPECKERS 

dusky  or  yellowish.  Young :  duller,  and  color  pattern  less  distinct,  the  red 
replaced  by  claret  brown.  Length :  8.50-9.25,  wing  (male)  4.70-5.05,  tail 
3.10-3.50,  bill  1.00-1.08. 

Remarks.  —  The  young  of  ruber  is  similar  to  the  same  stage  of  nuchalis, 
but  can  be  distinguished  usually  by  the  dull  reddish  suffusion  over  its 
head,  neck,  and  chest ;  while  the  adult  may  be  recognized  in  the  field  by 
the  absence  of  black  chest  patch  and  white  stripes  on  the  sides  of  the 
head. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zone  forests  of  the 
Pacific  coast  region  from  southern  Oregon  to  northern  Lower  California ; 
east  to  the  western  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  eastern  slope  of  the 
Cascades. 

Nest.  —  In  aspens,  15  to  25  feet  from  the  ground.     Eggs :  5  or  6,  white. 

Food.  —  Beetles,  spiders,  ants,  grasshoppers,  centipeds,  and  larvae,  wild 
berries,  sap,  and  inner  bark. 

In  the  Sierra  Nevada  the  red-breasted  sapsucker  is  one  of  the 
common  woodpeckers.  When  riding  through  the  forests  there  we 
often  got  a  flash  of  color  from  its  red  head  and  neck  as  it  flew  before 
our  horses.  On  a  fir  slope  above  Donner  one  July  day  we  discovered 
chips  at  the  foot  of  an  old  stub  heavily  covered  with  yellow  lichen, 
and  rapping  on  it  sent  the  mother  flying  and  roused  a  clamorous 
family  of  young. 

The  last  week  in  July  at  Donner  Lake  we  found  a  family  of  dull 
colored  young  going  about  with  their  mother,  a  handsome  old  bird 
with  dark  red  head  and  breast.  They  flew  around  in  a  poplar  grove 
for  a  while,  and  then  gathered  in  a  clump  of  willows,  where  four 
young  clung  to  the  branches  and  devoted  themselves  to  eating  sap. 
The  old  bird  flew  about  among  them  and  seemingly  cut  and  scraped 
off  the  bark  for  them,  at  the  same  time  apparently  trying  to  teach 
them  to  eat  the  sap  for  themselves ;  for  though  she  would  feed  them 
at  other  times  she  refused  to  feed  them  there,  and  apparently  watched 
carefully  to  see  if  they  knew  enough  to  drink  the  sap.  When  the 
meal  was  finally  over  and  the  birds  had  flown,  we  examined  the 
branch  and  found  that  lengthwise  strips  of  bark  had  been  cut  off, 
leaving  narrow  strips  like  fiddle-strings  between.  At  the  freshly  cut 
places  the  sap  exuded  as  sweet  as  sugar,  ready  for  the  birds  to  suck. 

In  winter  the  red-breasted  visits  the  cities,  being  seen,  Mr.  Grin- 
nell  says,  in  pepper- trees  even  on  noisy  city  streets.  He  has  found 
it  in  Pasadena  from  October  till  the  last  of  March. 

40  3  a.  S.  r.  notkensis  (Suckow).  NORTHERN  RED-BREASTED  SAT- 
SUCKER. 

Similar  to  S.  ruber,  but  darker,  and  belly  olive  yellow. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast  region  of  North  America,  from  Sitka 
south  in  California  through  the  Santa  Cruz  Mountains. 

404.  Sphyrapicus  thyroideus  (Cass.).   WILLIAMSON  SAPSUCKER. 
Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  glossy  black  except  white  rump,  large  white 


WOODPECKERS  213 

patch  on  wing  coverts,  and  fine  white  spots  on  quills ;  sides  of  head  with 

two  white  stripes ;  throat  and  breast  black, 

with  a  median  stripe  of   bright  red ;   belly 

bright   yellow.     Adult  female :  entire   body 

barred  with  brown  or  black  and  white,  except  Fig.  279.    Williamson  Saps^er. 

for  brown  head  and  white  rump  and,  rarely,  a 

red  median  stripe  on  throat ;   chest  usually  with  a  black  patch  ;  middle  of 

belly  yellow.      Young  male :  similar  to  adult  male,  but  black  duller,  belly 

paler,  throat  stripe  white.     Young  female :  similar  to  adult  female,  but 

markings  and  colors  duller,  belly  whitish,  and  chest  without  black  patch. 

Length :  9.00-9.75,  wing  5.25-5.50,  tail  3.80-3.90,  bill  1.00-1.20. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  in  the  western 
United  States  from  the  eastern  slopes  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the  west- 
ern spurs  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  Cascades,  and  northern  coast  ranges ;  south 
to  New  Mexico  and  Arizona ;  winters  in  southern  California,  New  Mexico, 
western  Texas,  and  Sierra  Madre  to  Jalisco,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  pines  and  aspens,  5  to  60  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs :  3  to 
7,  white. 

Food.  —  Mainly  insects  and  their  larvae. 

The  Williamson  sapsucker  is  one  of  the  handsomest  birds  one  sees 
in  the  forest,  but  ordinarily  it  flies  from  tree  to  tree  before  you  and  its 
black  back  and  white  rump  and  wing  patches  are  all  that  are  seen. 
After  several  weeks  of  such  fleeting  glimpses  in  the  Sierra  Nevada, 
we  were  delighted  by  the  discovery  of  a  pair  at  home  on  their  own 
breeding  grounds.  The  place,  Lincoln  Valley  above  Sierra  Valley, 
was  close  to  the  crest  of  the  range,  at  an  elevation  of  seven  thousand 
feet.  The  nest  was  in  a  stub  in  a  group  of  huge  Murray  pines  on 
the  edge  of  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  Sierra  mountain  meadows 
—  a  forest-encircled  meadow  brilliant  with  golden  buttercups.  It 
seemed  a  right  royal  home  for  such  noble  birds.  While  I  watched 
the  nest  the  male  with  his  glossy  coat,  yellow  belly,  and  red  throat 
came  flying  in,  his  bill  bristling  with  insects;  but  feeling  himself 
observed,  promptly  sidled  out  of  sight  under  the  branches. 

GENUS    CEOPHLCETJS. 

405a.  Ceophloeus  pileatus  abieticola  Bangs.  NORTHERN 
PILEATED  WOODPECKER  :  COCK-OF-THE- WOODS. 

Head  conspicuously  crested  ;  bill  longer  than  head,  straight,  with  wedge- 
like  tip,  beveled  sides,  and  strong  ridges,  broader  than  high  at  base  ;  nos- 
trils concealed  by  large  nasal  tufts ;  feet  peculiar,  outer  hind  toe  snorter 
than  outer  front  toe  ;  tarsus  shorter  than  inner  front  toe  and  claw. 

Adult  male.  —  Brownish  or  grayish  black ;  entire  top  of  head,  occipital 
crest,  and  malar  stripe  bright  red ;  chin  and  wide  stripe  on  side  of  head 
white,  or  sulphur  yellow ;  patches  on  wings  and  under  wing  coverts  white  ; 
feathers  of  belly  tipped  with  whitish.  Adult  female :  similar,  but  fore- 
part of  head  and  malar  stripe  brown  instead  of  red.  Young :  similar  to 
female,  but  crest  salmon.  Male :  wing  9,  tail  6.31,  exposed  culmen  2.05. 

Distribution.  —  Heavily  wooded  regions  of  North  America  from  the 
southern  Alleghanies  northward  to  about  latitude  63°  and  westward  to 
Pacific  coast. 


214  WOODPECKERS 

Nest.  —  In  aspens  and  coniferous 
trees,  40  to  50  feet  from  the  ground. 
Eggs :  usually  3  to  5,  white. 

Food.  —  Wood-boring-  beetles  and 
larvae  which  infest  timbered  tracts ; 
also  ants,  wild  grapes,  berries,  black 
g-um,  dog-wood,  pokeweed,  and  service 
berries,  acorns,  beechnuts,  and  chest- 
nuts. 

The  pileated  woodpecker  is  not  a 
common  bird  in  the  western  forests, 
but  is  found  in  the  Cascades  and 
Sierra  Nevada,  and  when  we  were 
From  Biological  Survey,  u.  s.  Dept.  of      camping  on  Mount  Shasta  we  would 
Fig. 280.  Nortifernpue^d Woodpecker,  sometimes  hear  his  slow  deliberate 

hammering  and  his  '  bugle  call '  at 

sunrise.  Though  often  heard  he  was  seldom  seen,  but  we  were  occa- 
sionally fortunate  enough  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  him  with  his  con- 
spicuous red  crest  winging  his  way  with  powerful  bounding  flight 
through  the  forest  and  over  the  woodland  meadows. 

Stubs,  torn  and  excavated  by  his  'borings'  were  found  quite  com- 
monly in  the  Transition  belt.  In  many  of  the  excavations  I  no- 
ticed that  while  the  main  cut  might  cover  a  section  six  inches  long 
and  three  wide,  at  the  bottom  of  the  big  excavation  would  be  a  small 
round  hole  that  your  thumb  could  fill,  looking  as  if  the  worm  were 
finally  found  there.  One  of  our  party  who  was  fortunate  enough  to 
see  the  pileated  at  work  described  the  process  in  detail.  The  bird 
began  by  flying  hastily  from  tree  to  tree,  from  tree  to  stump,  and 
stump  to  ground,  finally  going  to  work  on  a  log  on  the  ground. 
After  some  preliminary  pecking  he  began  chiseling  near  a  branch. 
A  steady  pounding  followed  and  the  chips  flew.  The  arc  through 
which  his  head  was  swung  was  so  wide  it  seemed  as  if  his  neck  must 
break,  but  the  bill  came  down  straight,  with  the  blow  of  a  sledge- 
hammer. After  pounding  awhile  the  bird  stopped  and  pecked  at 
the  bark  till  a  big  slab  slid  off,  suggesting  that  he  had  been  digging 
deep  holes,  and  then  had  worried  off  the  surrounding  bark.  After 
this  followed  a  long  period  of  quiet  when  his  head  moved  around 
busily  without  noise,  as  if  he  were  probing  the  holes  with  his  tongue 
and  enjoying  his  meal. 

In  the  Yosemite  National  Park  where  shooting  is  forbidden  the 
pileated,  instead  of  being  one  of  the  shyest  of  birds,  is  one  of  those 
most  in  evidence,  and  as  you  drive  by  actually  makes  itself  con- 
spicuous by  flying  freely  among  the  trees  so  near  that  you  can  see 
his  brilliant  red  head  and  the  white  spots  on  his  wings,  while  he 
utters. his  loud  ringing  chuck,  chuck,  chuck,  chuck,  chuck,  chuck ,  chuck. 


WOODPECKERS 


21$ 


The  nests  of  the  cock-of-the-woods  show  their  power  more  than 
their  borings,  for  they  are  cut  into  the  solid  trunks  of  live  trees. 
Though  well  up  out  of  reach  they  are  made  conspicuous  by  half  a 
bushel  of  fresh  chips  scattered  over  the  ground  around  'the  tree. 
The  cavity  goes  back  for  about  six  inches  and  then  down  a  foot  and 
a  half,  and  the  large  white  eggs  rest  on  a  soft  bed  of  clean  fresh 
chips.  The  same  tree  is  often  used  year  after  year,  but  never  the 
same  hole.  A  fresh  one  is  excavated  each  year  and  the  old  ones  left 
for  occupation  by  saw- whet  owls,  wood  ducks,  and  flying  squirrels. 

GENUS   MELANERPES. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  distinctly  curved ; 
upper  mandible  with  an  evident  though  short  lateral  ridge  and  nasal 
groove,  tip  of  bill  more  or  less  wedge-shaped ;  outer  hind  toe  not  longer 
than  outer  front  toe. 

KEY  TO  ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Back  barred  with  black  and  white. 

2.  Forehead  yellow aurifrons,  p.  218. 

2'o  Forehead  not  yellow. 

3.  Middle  of  belly  yellowish uropygialis,  219. 

3'.  Middle  of  belly  reddish carolinus,  p.  218. 

1'.  Back  not  barred. 

2.  Belly  rose  color torquatus,  p.  217. 

2'.  Belly  white. 

3.  Head  and  neck  red erythrocephalus,  p.  215. 

3'.  Head  with  black,  red,  and  white  or  yellow. 

4.  Chest  band  streaked  with  white      .     .     formicivorus,  p.  216. 
4'.  Chest  band  solid  black bairdi,  p.  217. 

Subgenus  Melanerpes. 
Colors  in  large  masses ;  outer  hind  toe  and  outer  front  toe  of  equal  lengths. 

406.    Melanerpes    erythroceptialus    (Linn.).     KED-HEADED 
WOODPECKER. 

Adult  male.  —  Whole  head  and 
neck  deep  crimson ;  under  parts,  rump, 
and  patch  on  wings,  white  ;  rest  of 
upper  parts,  glossy  blue  black.  Adult 
female :  similar,  but  with  more  or  less 
transverse  black  spotting  on  inner  sec- 
ondaries, and  black  collar  more  con- 
spicuous than  in  male.  Young:  red 
and  black  of  adults  replaced  by  gray, 
streaked  with  darker  on  head  and 
neck,  barred  on  rest  of  upper  parts; 
secondaries  crossed  near  ends  by  one 
or  more  black  bands.  Length  :  9.25- 
9.75,  wing  5.30-5.70,  tail  3.60-3.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeding  in  Transi- 
tion, Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones 
from  Manitoba  south  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the 


From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept.  of 
Agriculture. 
Fig.  281. 


216  WOODPECKERS 

eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky  Mountains ;  casual  in  Utah  and  southern  Ari- 
zona. 

Nest.  —  8  to  80  feet  from  the  ground  in  stumps,  dead  trunks  or  branches, 
and  on  treeless  prairies  in  fence  posts  and  telegraph  poles.  Eggs:  usually 
4  to  7,  white. 

Food.  —  In  summer,  insects  such  as  grasshoppers,  ants,  beetles,  flies, 
and  larvae,  fruits  and  berries  ;  in  fall  and  winter,  nuts,  wild  berries,  and 
small  grains. 

The  red-headed  woodpecker  is  one  of  our  handsomest  birds.  Its 
colors  are  all  keen  —  the  red,  glowing  red  ;  the  white,  snow  white  ; 
and  the  black,  glossy  black. 

In  its  methods  of  hunting,  like  all  the  members  of  the  genus 
Melanerpes,  it  combines  the  ways  of  the  flycatchers  and  the  wood- 
peckers that  get  their  food  almost  wholly  from  tree  trunks  and 
branches. 

In  the  east,  where  it  depends  largely  on  beechnuts  for  its  fall  and 
winter  supplies,  its  movements  are  very  erratic,  its  appearance'  de- 
pending on  the  crop. 

407.  Melanerpes  formicivorus  (Swains.).    ANT-EATING  WOOD- 
PECKER. 

Adult  male.  —  Feathers  around  base  of  bill  and  chin  black,  bordered  by 

band  of  white  or  yellow ;  crown  red ; 
sides  of  head,  upper  parts,  and  chest 
band  glossy  greenish;  blue  black  chest 
streaked  with  white  ;  rump,  wing  patch, 
and  belly,  white.  Adult  female  :  similar, 
but  with  a  black  band  separating  white 
or  yellow  forehead  from  red  crown. 
Young  :  similar  to  adults  and  with  same 
sexual  differences  in  crown,  but  colors 
duller.  Wing:  5.30-5.90,  tail  3.10-3.60, 
bill  1.10-1.22. 

Remarks.  —  The  squarish  white  patch 
on  the  forehead  is  enough  to  distinguish 
the  formicivorus  group  from  all  other 
woodpeckers. 

Fie  282  Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Tran- 

sition zone  from  Texas  to  Arizona,  and 
south  to  Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  white  oaks,  but  also  in  pines.     Eggs :  4  or  5,  white. 

Food.  —  Principally  acorns,  but  also  fruit,  flies,  ants,  beetles,  and 
grasshoppers. 

One  of  the  most  pleasantly  familiar  sounds  in  the  live-oak  belt  in- 
habited by  formiciwrus  and  its  allies  is  the  ja-cob,  ja-cob,  ja-cob, 
ja-cob  uttered  by  these  handsome  woodpeckers  as  they  fly  from  tree 
to  tree,  their  white  rump  and  wing  patches  showing  as  they  go.  In 
coming  down  from  the  fir  forests  of  the  mountains  where  the  only 
visible  woodpeckers  have  fled  silently  before  you,  the  soft  cheery 
voices  of  these  birds  have  a  friendly  ring  grateful  to  the  ear.  They 


WOODPECKERS  217 

always  have  a  great  deal  to  say,  whether  it  be  in  a  canyon  of  the 
Guadalupe  Mountains  in  New  Mexico,  where  their  chatter  interrupts 
the  solemn  hooting  of  the  band-tailed  pigeon,  or  on  the  campus  of  a 
California  university,  where  much  is  to  be  learned  by  silent  listeners. 
But  their  small  talk  never  seems  to  interfere  with  their  work,  and 
the  acorn-filled  tree  trunks  and  telegraph  poles  attest  their  industry. 
Of  all  our  woodpeckers  they  are  the  prime  storers,  and  though  they 
do  not  live  in  a  land  of  snow,  ground  squirrels  infest  most  of  their 
territory  and  make  it  important  to  have  secure  cupboards.  Dr. 
Mearns  says  their  stores  are  the  source  of  unending  quarrels  between 
them  and  their  numerous  pilfering  enemies,  and  confesses  that  when 
short  of  provisions  in  the  mountains  he  himself  has  filled  his  saddle- 
bags with  acorns  from  under  the  bark  of  a  pine.  The  birds  are  true  to 
their  Melanerpes  instincts,  although  they  do  spend  so  much  of  their 
time  storing  acorns,  and  vault  into  the  air  after  insects  in  regulation 
flycatcher  style. 

40 7 a.  M.  f.  bairdi  Eidgw.    CALIFORNIAN  WOODPECKER. 

Like  M.  formicivorus,  but  with  heavier  bill  and  chest  band  solid  black. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  of  the  Pacific  coast  region 
from  Oregon  south  to  northern  Lower  California. 

Nest.  — 15  to  25  feet  from  the  ground  in  oaks,  sycamores,  cottonwoods, 
willows,  and  telegraph  poles.  Eggs  :  usually  4  or  5,  white. 

Food.  —  Acorns  during  the  greater  part  of  the  year ;  also  grasshoppers, 
caterpillars,  ants,  beetles,  flies,  small  fruits,  berries,  and  green  corn. 

Subgenus  Asyndesmus. 

Bill  combining  characters  of  Colaptes  and  Melanerpes ;  wings  long,  fold- 
ing nearly  to  end  of  tail ;  feathers  of  under  parts  and  nuchal  collar  bristly. 

408.  Melanerpes  torquatus  (Wils.).    LEWIS  WOODPECKER. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  iridescent  greenish  black  except  for  gray  collar  ; 
face  dull  crimson ;  throat  and  chest 
gray  changing  to  soft  rose  on  belly ; 
plumage  of  lower  parts  harsh  and  hair- 
like.  Young:  head  without  red,  neck 
without  collar,  under  parts  with  less 
red.  Length :  10.50-11.50,  wing  6.50-6.80,  tail  4.40-4.70. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from 
Black  Hills  and  eastern  slope  of  Rocky  Mountains  to  Pacific  slope ;  from 
southern  parts  of  British  Columbia  and  Alberta  to  Arizona;  winters  in 
southern  California  and  western  Texas ;  casual  in  western  Kansas. 

Nest.  —  6  to  100  feet  from  the  ground,  usually  high  up  in  tall  pines  or 
cottonwoods,  or  in  decayed  branches  or  stumps  of  oaks,  sycamores,  junipers, 
and  willows.  Eggs :  usually  6  or  7,  white. 

Food .  —  In  summer  mainly  insects,  such  as  grasshoppers,  crickets,  ants, 
beetles,  flies,  larvae,  acorns,  pine  seeds,  wild  berries,  and  in  cultivated 
districts  fruit. 

When  you  reach  the  mountains  on  the  west-bound  Overland,  from 
the  car  windows  you  recognize  with  delight  the  crow-like  figure  of 


218  WOODPECKERS 

your  old  friend  flying  with  sweeping,  powerful  strokes  straight  over 
the  forest.  You  are  in  no  danger  of  mistaking  him,  for  his  wide 
wings  and  short  tail  distinguish  him  from  all  other  birds  as  far  as  he 
can  be  seen. 

He  is  found  high  in  the  mountains  mainly  after  the  breeding  sea- 
son, for  he  nests  in  the  Transition  zone  orchard  and  yellow  pine 
country,  but  like  the  redhead  is  an  erratic  wanderer.  At  Fort 
Klamath  flocks  of  two  hundred  have  been  reported  coming  from 
the  north  in  August,  and  from  Klamath  Falls  to  Susanville  Mr. 
Bailey  found  them  the  commonest  woodpeckers,  perching  on  the  tall 
stakes  of  rail  fences  along  the  roads,  flying  up  into  the  air  after 
grasshoppers  or  other  insects  in  true  Melanerpes  style.  As  it  is  said, 
the  '  acorn  bird '  never  comes  in  great  numbers  unless  there  is  a  good 
crop  of  mast,  for  his  movements  depend  on  the  food  supply.  In  the 
Black  Hills  Mr.  Gary  says  the  woodpecker  is  partial  to  burnt  timber 
in  canyons. 

Subgenus  Centurus. 

Upper  parts  barred  ;  wings  with  white  patch  ;  outer  hind  toe  shorter 
than  outer  front  toe. 

409.  Melanerpes  carolinus  (Linn.}.    RED-BELLIED  WOODPECKER. 
Adult  male.  —  Top  and  back  of  head  and  neck  bright  red  ;  rest  of  upper 

parts  barred  black  and  white ; 
under  parts  gray  except  for  red- 
dish wash  on  middle  of  belly.  Adult 
female :  similar,  but  red  of  head 
interrupted  by  gray  crown  patch. 
Young  :  duller,  markings  ob- 
scured, red  of  head  indistinct,  that 
of  belly  often  replaced  by  dull 
buffy.  Length:  9.00-10.10,  wing 
4.85-5.50,  tail  3.50-3.95,  bill  1.00- 
1.20. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower 
and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  of  east- 
Fig.  284.  ern  United   States,   from  Ontario 
to  Florida,  and  west  to  the  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

Nest.  —  In  tree  trunks  or  branches,  15  to  60  feet  from  the  ground. 
Eggs  :  3  to  5,  white. 

Food.  —  Beetles,  ants,  weevils,  caterpillars,  grasshoppers,  flies,  larvae, 
wasps,  and  other  insects,  with  acorns,  nuts,  seeds,  grain,  and  berries. 

In  parts  of  Texas  the  red-bellied  is  the  most  common  woodpecker, 
and  often  nests  in  telegraph  poles,  but  over  most  of  its  range  it  is 
shy  and  retiring,  living  preferably  in  heavily  timbered  bottom  lands 
and  swampy  woods. 

410.  Melanerpes  aurifrons   (WagL).    GOLDEN-FRONTED  WOOD- 

PECKER. 
Adult  males. — Forehead  yellow,  crown  red,   and  nuchal  patch  yellow, 


WOODPECKERS 


219 


orange,  or  red;  back  finely 
barred  with  black  and  white  ; 
rump  plain  white,  tail  black, 
outer  feathers  barred  with 
white  ;  under  parts  light  gray, 
washed  with  yellowish  on  belly. 
Adult  female :  similar,  but  with- 
out red  crown,  and  yellow  of 
plumage  paler.  Young  :  colors 
duller,  markings  less  distinct. 
Wing:  5.20-5.65,  tail  3.40- 
3.75,  bill  1.2(X-1.40. 

Distribution.  —  Central  and 
southern  Texas,  south  to  the 
city  of  Mexico.  Flg>  285'  ^olden-fronted  Woodpecker. 

Nest.  —  6  to  25  feet  from  the  ground,  generally  in  mesquites,  pecans, 
oaks,  or  telegraph  poles.  Eggs :  4  to  7,  white. 

Food.  —  Insects  of  various  kinds,  such  as  beetles,  ants,  grasshoppers, 
and  larvae  —  among  them  one  injurious  to  corn ;  also  acorns,  Indian  corn, 
wild  berries,  and  fruit. 

In  San  Antonio  the  golden-fronted  woodpecker  nests  in  telegraph 
poles  and  bird  boxes  about  houses  as  well  as  in  pecans,  oaks,  and 
mesquites.  In  Eastland  County,  Texas,  Mr.  Hasbrouck  says  it  is 
often  seen  in  the  same  tree  with  the  red-bellied.  On  the  mesquite 
prairie  of  southern  Texas  the  little  Texan  woodpecker  is  the  only 
one  occurring  at  all  commonly  with  aurifrons  and  there  is  no  dan- 
ger-of  confusing  them. 

Aurifrons  makes  noise  enough  for  a  dozen,  his  loud  penetrating 
voice  ringing  across  the  road  as  you  drive  through  the  mesquites. 
One  of  his  common  calls  is  a  rattle  like  that  of  the  California  wood- 
pecker. When  he  flies  he  shows  his  white  rump  and  wing  spots,  and 
on  the  rare  occasions  when  you  catch  a  glimpse  of  him  you  can  see 
the  yellow  of  his  neck  above  the  black  and  white  barring  of  his  back. 

411.  Melanerpes  uropygialis  (Baird).    GILA  WOODPECKER. 

Adult  male.  —  Head  and  under  parts  grayish  brown,  crown  red  ;  middle 

of  belly  yellowish  ;  back  and  rump 
finely  barred  with  black  and 
white  ;  middle  and  outer  tail  feath- 
ers marked  with  white.  Adult 
female  :  similar,  but  without  red. 
Young  :  similar,  but  colors  duller, 
and  markings  less  distinct.  Wing : 
5.00-5.30,  tail  3.50-3.90,  bill  .95- 
1.25. 

Remarks.  —  This  species  may 
be  distinguished  from  aurifrons 
by  its  brownish  tinge,  the  absence 
of  yellow  on  its  head,  barred 
rump,  white  markings  on  middle 
tail  feathers,  and  absence  of 
Fig.  286.  marks  on  those  next  the  middle. 


220 


WOODPECKERS 


Distribution.  —  Colorado  River  in  southeastern  California,  southern  Ari- 
zona, and  southwestern  New  Mexico ;  south  through  Lower  California  to 
Jalisco  and  western  Mexico. 

Nest .  —  Mainly  in  giant  cactus,  but  also  in  cottonwoods,  sycamores,  and 
mesquites.  Eggs  :  3  to  5,  white. 

Food.  —  Lizards,  insects  such  as  ants,  beetles,  grasshoppers,  and  larvae, 
with  giant  cactus  fruit  and  mistletoe  berries. 

Major  Bendire  says  that  the  general  habits  of  the  Gila  woodpecker 
are  similar  to  those  of  the  California  woodpecker.  Its  ordinary  call- 
note  he  gives  as  dchilrr  dcMrr,  and  a  flight  note  as  Unit  huit,  which 
he  says  resembles  the  call-note  of  the  phainopepla.  In  Arizona  in 
October,  Mr.  Bailey  found  two  of  the  birds  roosting  in  a  tank  every 
night. 

GENUS    COLAPTES. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  acute,  curved ;  slender  and  weak  for  a  wood- 
pecker ;  without  lateral  ridges  or  beveling ;  nostrils  not  concealed  by 
nasal  tufts  ;  outer  hind  toe  shorter  than  outer  front  toe  ;  wings  and  tail 
lengthened. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Under  sides  of  wings  and  tail  red. 

2.  Darker.     Sitka  to  northern  California     .     .     .     saturatior,  p.  221. 

2'.  Lighter.    Western  United  States collaris,  p.  221. 

1'.  Under  side  of  wings  and  tail  yellow. 

2.  Back  of  neck  with  red  band.     Eastern  North  America. 

luteus,  p.  220. 
2'.  Back  of  neck  without  red  band.     Arizona  and  southward. 

chrysoides,  p.  222. 

41  2 a.  Colaptes  auratus  luteus  Bangs.    NORTHERN  FLICKER. 
Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  brown,  barred  with  black,  except  for  red 

nuchal  band,  white  rump,  and  black 
tail ;  wings  and  tail  with  shafts  and 
under  side  of  feathers  bright  yellow; 
throat  and  sides  of  head  pinkish 
brown,  with  black  malar  stripe  or 
k  mustache '  and  black  crescent  on 
chest ;  rest  of  under  parts  brownish 
white,  washed  with  yellow  and  spotted 
with  black.  Adult  female  :  similar, 
but  without  black  mustache,  though 
sometimes  with  faint  indications  of 
one.  Young  male:  similar  to  adult 
male,  but  crown  marked  with  dull 
red.  nuchal  band  dull  scarlet.  Young 
female :  with  dark  mustache.  Male  : 


From  Bk,h 


ii-'l  S'lrvev.  U.  S.  D^pt.  of 
Agriculture. 

Pig.  287. 


wing  6.18,  tail  4.09,  exposed  culmen 
1.33.     Female :  wing  6.06,  tail  4,  ex- 
posed culmen  1.25. 
Distribution.  —  Eastern  and   northern  North  America,  south  to  North 

Carolina  and  west  to  the  Rocky   Mountains;   occasional  on  the  Pacific 

slope  from  California  northward. 


WOODPECKERS  221 

Nest.  —  Usually  10  to  20  feet  from  the  ground  in  stubs  or  trees.  Eggs  : 
usually  5  to  9,  white. 

Food.  —  Largely  ants;  also  beetles,  bugs,  grasshoppers,  crickets,  and 
caterpillars,  weed  seeds  and  berries. 

The  flickers  of  whatever  local  name  or  race  are  striking,  forceful 
birds.  Their  clear  ringing  clape  and  piute  command  attention,  while 
their  rapidly  uttered  if-if-if-if-if-if-if  is  no  less  stirring.  As  they  fly 
in  undulating  line  over  a  field  there  is  a  splendid  flash  of  red  or 
golden  from  under  their  wings.  At  work  or  play  they  show  the 
same  vigor  arid  whole-souled  absorption,  and  their  courtship  is 
accordingly  both  ardent  and  amusing. 

As  a  genus  the  flickers  are  the  least  woodpecker-like  of  the  fam- 
ily. Instead  of  getting  their  food  from  the  tree  trunks  or  in  the  air, 
they  live  largely  on  ants  which  they  get  from  the  ground,  which 
accounts  for  the  brown  of  their  backs,  the  slenderness  of  their  bills, 
and  the  character  of  their  tongues.  As  they  probe  ant-hills  to  get 
the  ants  their  tongues  are  very  long  and  provided  with  large  sali- 
vary glands  whose  sticky  secretions  hold  the  ants.  As  they  do  not 
spear  their  food  the  tongue  is  freer  from  barbs  than  that  of  most 
other  woodpeckers. 

413.  Colaptes  cafer  collaris    Vigors.      RED-SHAFTED  FLICKER. 

Adult  male.  —  Ground  color  of  head  and  body  brownish,  back  barred 
and  under  parts  spotted  with  black ;  rump  white  and  tail  black  ;  no  nu- 
chal band  ;  mustache  red ;  chest  marked  with  black  crescent ;  under  side  of 
wings  and  tail  red.  Female :  Similar,  but  usually  with  a  buffy  or  brown 
malar  stripe.  Young :  similar,  but  without  mustache.  Length :  12.75- 
14.00,  wing  6.45-7.15,  tail  4.40-5.20,  exposed  culmen  1.34-1.53. 

Remarks.  —  Birds  with  varying  combinations  of  the  characters  of  C.  col- 
laris and  C.  luteus  may  be  met  with  anywhere  from  the  eastern  border  of 
the  plains  to  the  Pacific. 

Distribution.  —  Rocky  Mountain  region  from  British  Columbia  south  to 
northern  border  of  Mexico ;  west  to  the  coast  ranges  in  Oregon  and 
Washington,  and  to  the  Pacific  coast  from  northern  California  southward 
to  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  From  2  to  70  feet  from  the  ground  in  rotten  stubs  or  trees, 
also  in  holes  in  banks,  in  sides  of  houses,  and  gate  posts.  Eggs  :  5  to  10, 
white. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  larvae,  especially  ants,  grasshoppers,  and  crickets, 
acorns,  seeds,  and  wild  berries. 

41 3a.  Colaptes  cafer  saturatior  (Ridgw.).  NORTHWESTERN 
FLICKER. 

Similar  to  collaris,  but  darker.  Wing  :  6.35-7.00,  tail  4.70-5.20,  ex- 
posed culmen  1.35-1.60. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  humid  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  of  the 
northwest  coast  from  Sitka  to  northern  California. 

Nest,  eggs,  and  food  same  as  in  collaris. 


222  GOATSUCKERS 

414.  Colaptes  chrysoides  (Malh.).     GILDED  FLICKER. 

In  general  similar  to  collaris,  but  back  of  neck  without  red,  and  under 
side  of  wings  and  tail  yellow  ;  adult  female  with  only  occasional  traces  of 
malar  stripe,  and  young  without  malar  stripe. 

Remarks.  —  The  combination  of  red  mustache  and  yellow  of  under 
wings  and  tail  distinguish  this  species. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  Arizona  south  to 
southern  Sonora,  and  Lower  California  south  of  latitude  30°. 

Nest.  —  6  to  40  feet  from  the  ground  in  giant  cactus  or  cottonwoods. 
Eggs :  2  to  5,  white. 

Food.  —  To  a  large  extent  fruit  of  the  giant  cactus  and  insects  found  on 
its  flowers. 

The  gilded  flicker  is  largely  a  bird  of  the  giant  cactus  belt,  and 
feeds  to  some  extent  upon  the  sweet  fruit  of  the  cactus. 


ORDER  MACROCHIRES:  GOATSUCKERS, 
SWIFTS,  AND  HUMMINGBIRDS. 

(FAMILIES  CAPRIMULGID^E,  MICROPODID^E,  AND  TROCHI- 


FAMILY   CAPRIMULGID-SJ  :    GOATSUCKERS. 

KEY   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Gape  without  conspicuous  bristles,  tail  emarginate. 

Chordeiles,  p.  226. 
1'.  Gape  with  conspicuous  bristles,  tail  even  or  rounded. 

2.  Tarsus  feathered  in  front  almost  to  toes     .     Antrostomus,  p.  222. 
2'.  Tarsus  entirely  naked  in  front. 
3.  Tail  even   ...........  Fhaleenoptilus,  p.  224. 

3'.  Tail  much  rounded  ........     Nyctidromus,  p.  225. 

GENUS   ANTROSTOMUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  short,  gape  wide  ;  nostrils  oval  with  raised 
rim  not  prolonged  into  a  tube,  opening  upward  and  outward  ;  feet  small, 
hind  toe  short,  front  toes  connected  by  webbing,  middle  toe  much  longer 
than  side  toes,  its  claw  pectinated  (see  Fig.  290)  ;  tarsus  not  longer  than 
middle  toe  without  claw,  feathered  in  front  nearly  to  toes  ;  wing  folding  to 
or  beyond  rounded  tail  ;  plumage  lax,  primaries  weak. 

KEY  TO   ADULT  MALES. 

1.  Bristles  of  gape  with  lateral  filaments     .     .     .    carolineiisis,  p.  222. 
1'.  Bristles  of  gape  without  lateral  filaments. 

2.  Throat  bar  chiefly  or  wholly  white  .....     vociferus,  p.  223. 

2'.  Throat  bar  chiefly  or  wholly  yellowish     .     macromystax,  p.  223. 

416.  Antrostomus  carolinensis  (GmeL).  CHDCK-WILL'S-WIDOW. 

Adult  male.  —  General  color  dark  brown  or  blackish  brown,  mottled, 
barred,  and  spotted  with  tawny  and  blackish,  reddish  brown  on  wings  and 


GOATSUCKERS  223 

tail ;  tail  with  at  least  terminal  third  of  outer  feathers  white  or  buffy ; 
throat  tawny,  bristles  of  gape  with  lateral  filaments.  Adult  female :  similar, 
but  without  white  or  buff  y  on  tail.  Young :  similar,  but  much  lighter,  top 
of  head  grayish  and  wings  tawny.  Length:  11-12,  wing  8.70-8.90,  tail 
6.25-6.30. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  in  the  southeastern  United 
States,  from  southern  parts  of  Virginia,  Illinois,  Indiana,  and  Kansas 
south  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  from  the  Atlantic  west  to  Fort  Clark, 
Texas  ;  migrates  to  the  West  Indies,  and  through  eastern  Mexico  to  South 
America. 

Eggs.  —  Usually  laid  on  dry  leaves  on  the  ground ;  2,  creamy  or  pinkish 
white,  blotched,  marbled,  and  spotted  with  browns  and  purples. 

Food.  —  Moths,  beetles,  winged  ants,  other  insects,  and  birds. 

Like  all  the  Caprimulgidca,  the  cliuck-will's-widow  is  crepuscular, 
flying  about  mainly  in  the  dim  morning  or  evening  hours.  Its  call  of 
chuck-  will' 's-widow  is  markedly  different  from  that  of  the  whip-poor- 
will. 

417.  Antrostomus  vociferus  (Wils.).    WHIP-POOR-WILL. 

Adult  male. —  Throat  blackish,  bordered  by  white  band;  rest  of  under 
parts  mixed  tawny  and  black  ;  upper  parts  mottled 
gray,  streaked,  spotted,  and  barred  with  blackish, 
black  streaks  of  crown  wide  medially  ;  wings  much 
marked  with  reddish  brown;  three  outer  tail  feathers 
white  for  more  than  terminal  third.  Adult  female : 
similar,  but  white  of  tail  much  restricted  and  ob- 
scured. Young  :  top  of  head  mottled  gray,  spotted 
instead  of  streaked  with  black  ;  rest  of  upper  parts 
bright  tawny,  scapulars  with  large  black  spots ;  Fig.  288. 

under  parts  almost  plain  buffy.   Length:  9.50-10.00, 
wing  5.80-6.70,  tail  5.10-6.50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Plains,  and  from  Mani- 
toba south  through  western  Nebraska  to  Texas ;  migrates  to  Guatemala ; 
casual  to  Porto  Rico  and  the  West  Indies. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited  on  dry  leaves  on  the  ground ;  2,  white,  with  blotches, 
spots,  and  tracings  of  brown  and  purple. 

Food.  '• —  Night-flying  insects,  including  Rocky  Mountain  locusts. 

417a.  A.  V.  macromystax  (Wagler).  STEPHENS  WHIP-POOR-WILL. 

Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  A.  vociferus,  but  slightly  larger  and  more 
tawny,  throat  band  largely  tawny  in  adult  male,  and  white  of  tail  re- 
stricted to  less  than  terminal  third.  Adult  female :  similar,  but  white  of 
tail  tawny  and  restricted.  Length :  9.60-10.20,  wing  6.27-6.65,  tail  4.03- 
5.45. 

Distribution.  —  Arizona,  New  Mexico,  and  southwestern  Texas ;  south 
over  mountains  bordering  tablelands  of  Mexico  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  A  slight  depression  in  the  ground.  Eggs :  1  or  2,  white,  or 
with  faint  markings. 

Food.  —  Among  other  things,  large  brown  beetles. 

When  we  were  spending  a  night  in  the  head  of  McKittrick  canyon 
in  the  Guadalupe  Mountains,  Stephens  whip-poor-wills  came  close 
enough  to  our  camp-fire  for  us  to  hear  distinctly  the  marked  burr  of 


224  GOATSUCKERS 

their  whip-pur' r'r-will.     Sometimes  the  notes  are  repeated  faster  and 
faster  till  they  all  run  together. 

In  the  Santa  Catalina  Mountains,  Arizona,  Mr.  Bailey  found  one 
sitting  in  the  shade  of  a  rock  in  the  daytime.  At  his  approach, 
with  a  quick  spring  it  would  dart  out  of  sight  around  the  next  rock 
and  drop  into  the  darkest  shade.  Its  flight  was  perfectly  noiseless 
and  very  swift. 

GENUS  PHAL^JNOPTILUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  short  with  wide  gape,  nostrils  tubular,  cylin- 
drical, opening  forward  and  outward  ;  rictal  bristles  conspicuous  ;  feet 
small,  hind  toe  short,  middle  toe  long,  its  claw  pectinated,  front  toes 
webbed  (see  Fig.  290)  ;  tarsus  as  long  as  middle  toe  without  claw,  naked 
except  for  joint ;  tail  square,  much  shorter  than  wings. 


Fig.  289. 
KEY   TO  SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  parts  blackish  or  dark  brown     ....    califoirnicus,  p.  225. 
1'.  Upper  parts  light  brown  or  grayish. 

2.  Smaller  and  paler.    Kansas  to  Texas  and  Arizona  .   nitidus,  p.  225. 

2'.  Larger  and  not  so  pale.    Nebraska  to  Cascades  .    nuttallii,  p.  224. 

418.  Phalsenoptilus  nuttallii  (And.).    POOR- WILL. 

Adult  male.  —  Plumage  of  upper  parts  moth-like,  soft,  and  velvety, 
finely  mottled  grayish  brown  with  sharply  contrasting  velvety  black  bars 
and  sagittate  markings ;  tail  with  all  but  middle  feathers  tipped  with 
white  ;  sides  of  head  and  chin  black,  white  throat  patch  bordered  by  black 
below ;  rest  of  under  parts  barred  except  for  plain  buffy  under  tail  cov- 
erts. Adult  female  :  similar,  but  with  white  tips  to  tail  feathers  nar- 
rower. Young :  upper  parts  more  silvery  gray  mixed  with  rusty ;  black 
markings  smaller  and  less  distinct;  white  of  throat  and  tail  restricted 
and  tinged  with  buffy.  Wing  :  5.78,  tail  3.67. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zone  of  British 
Columbia  and  the  western  United  States,  from  the  Cascades  and  Sierra 
Nevada  east  to  central  Nebraska  ;  winters  from  deserts  along  the  southern 
border  south  to  Guatemala. 

Eggs.  —  Usually  laid  on  the  bare  ground ;  2,  white,  unspotted  or  lightly 
marked. 

Food.  —  Night-flying  moths,  beetles,  locusts,  and  other  insects. 

In  southern  California  in  the  dim  evening  light  I  have  often  seen 
poor-wills  hunting  insects  along  the  roads  and  had  them  come  close 
to  me  in  a  ranch  dooryard  when  they  would  make  short  sallies  from 
the  ground,  fluttering  around  with  soft,  noiseless  flight,  uttering  a 
low  chuck,  chuck.  In  the  daytime  their  eyes  are  of  little  use.  A 
pair  of  the  birds  that  Mr.  Bailey  once  came  upon  at  Emigrant  Gap 
showed  this  sun  blindness  very  strikingly.  They  had  been  sitting 


GOATSUCKERS  225 

in  the  shade  of  a  bush,  and  flew  from  his  feet  as  he  approached. 
One  of  them  lit  again  in  a  patch  of  bright  sunlight,  and,  apparently 
blinded  by  the  light,  sat  there  calmly  until  he  walked  up  within  a 
few  feet  of  it.  He  experimented  with  the  birds,  flushing  them  a 
number  of  times,  and  found  that  when  they  lit  in  the  shade,  as  they 
usually  did,  they  were  not  only  much  less  conspicuous  than  in  the 
sun,  blending  in  with  the  leaves  and  rocks,  but  the  shade  enabled 
them  to  see  him  clearly  enough  for  them  to  recognize  what  he  was 
so  that  they  would  fly  while  at  a  distance  of  four  or  five  rods. 

The  poor-will  himself  is  less  known  than  his  voice,  which  is  insep- 
arably associated  with  the  warm  still  western  evenings.  Coming 
from  the  canyons  in  the  moonlight  it  is  one  of  the  softest,  most 
soothing  sounds  in  nature. 

418a.  P.  n.  nitidus  Brewst.    FROSTED  POOR-WILL. 

Similar  to  nuttallii,  but  smaller  and  paler,  prevailing1  color  of  upper  parts 
brownish  gray  inclining  to  silvery  or  hoary,  with  black  marking's  smaller  and 
much  restricted ;  chin  and  sides  of  head  mottled  grayish  brown ;  chest  with 
little  if  any  solid  black.  Wing :  5.44,  tail  3.52. 

Distribution.  —  Texas  to  Arizona  and  from  western  Kansas  south  to 
northern  Mexico. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited  on  ground  in  open  places,  sometimes  under  a  bush ; 
2,  white,  usually  faintly  tinged  with  buffy. 

418b.  P.  n.  calif ornicus  Ridgw.     CALIFORNIA  POOR-WILL. 

Similar  to  nuttallii,  but  much  darker ;  middle  of  crown  largely  blackish ; 
hind  neck  extensively  marked  with  black,  back  dull  blackish  gray  or  wood 
brown  instead  of  light  brown. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  region  of  California. 

Eggs.  —  Similar  to  those  of  nuttallii. 

GENUS   NYCTIDROMUS. 

Nostrils  prolonged  as  cylindrical  tubes  opening  forward  and  outward  ; 
rictal  bristles  heavy  ;  tarsus  lengthened,  but  not  exceeding  middle  toe  with- 
out claw  ;  wing  scarcely  rounded ;  plumage  not  so  lax  as  in  the  whip-poor- 
will. 

419.  Nyctidromus  albicollis  merrilli  Senn.     MERRILL  PA- 

RAUQUE. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  finely  mottled  gray  and  brown,  the  crown 
broadly  streaked  with  velvety  black,  and  scapulars  strikingly  patterned  with 
triangular  velvety  black  and  buffy  markings;  wing  quills  crossed  by  white 
band ;  tail  with  second  and  third  feathers  largely  white,  throat  with  wide 
white  band,  rest  of  under  parts  buffy,  barred.  Adult  female:  similar,  but 
smaller,  browner,  duller,  and  white  of  wings  and  tail  restricted.  Young : 
similar  to  sexes  of  adults,  but  much  paler,  crown  with  markings  triangular 
or  tear-shaped  with  light  border.  Male :  length  12.00-13.50,  wing  6.75- 
7.50,  tail  6.75-7.40.  Female :  length  10.50-11.50,  wing  6.00-6.30,  tail  5.80- 
6.00. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Texas  south  to  the  Isthmus  of  Tehuan- 
tepec. 


GOATSUCKERS 


Eggs.  —  Placed  on  the  ground,  usually  near  a  clump  of  bushes  ;  cream  or 
buff,  spotted  and  splashed  with  browns,  buff,  pink,  and  lavender. 
Food.  —  Moths,  beetles,  and  other  insects. 

When  in  southern  Texas  near  the  Mexican  line  we  were  startled  at 
our  camp-fire  supper  one  evening  by  a  strange  new  note,  a  hoarse 
pa-rau'-que,  and  hurrying  out  into  the  dusk  found  a  large  bird  hunt- 
ing insects  on  the  road  in  poor-will  fashion,  flying  from  one  bare 
spot  of  ground  to  another  among  the  mesqui^es.  As  we  followed 
him  he  repeated  his  call  from  each  spot,  and  once  gave  it  from  the 
top  rail  of  a  fence. 

GENUS    CHOKDEILES. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  short  with  wide  gape  ;  bristles  not  decidedly 
shorter  than  bill  ;  nostrils  cylindrical  and  rimmed  about, 
hardly  tubular,  opening  outward  and  upward  ;  feet  weak, 
hind  toe  short,  front  toes  connected  by  web,  middle  toe 
long,  its  claw  pectinated;  tarsus  feathered  part  way 
down  in  front;  tail  lightly  forked,  much  shorter  than 


Fig.  290 


the 


KEY   TO   SPECIES. 


1.  Wing  band  back  of  tip  of  seventh  quill  (Figs.  292  and  293). 

texensis,  p.  228. 

1'.  Wing  band  mainly  or  wholly  forward  from  tip  of  seventh  quill. 
2.  Upper  parts  glossy  black,  mottled  with  lighter  virginianus,  p.  226. 
2'.  Upper  parts  mainly  grayish  or  brownish. 

3.  Paler.    Plains    ........     ....  sennetti,  p  228. 

3'.  Darker.     Western  states     ........      henryi,  p.  227. 

420.  Chordeiles  virginianus  (GmeL).    NIGHTHAWK. 

Adult  male.  —  White  throat  patch  bordered  below  by  blackish  chest 

patch  ;    belly 

barred     with 

blackish    and 

white  ;    upper 

parts    glossy 

black  mottled 

with  gray  and 
Fig.  291.  lightly  marked  with  buffy  brown  ;  white  or  huffy  wing 

band  mainly  or  wholly  forward  from  tip  of  seventh  quill  ; 
space  between  white  band  and  primary  coverts  plain  blackish,  secondaries 
indistinctly  if  at  all  spotted  with  buffy  or  brownish  ;  tail  except  middle 
feathers  crossed  with  broad  white  band  near  tip.  Adult  female:  white  of 
tail  restricted  or  wanting.  Young:  more  finely  and  profusely  mottled 
than  adults.  Wing  :  7.30-8.25,  tail  4.30-4.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Hudson  Bay  region  and  the  Mackenzie 
River  at  65°  south  through  the  United  States,  east  of  the  Plains,  and  in 
wooded  districts  to  Washington,  Oregon,  and  northern  California  ;  south 
in  winter  to  the  Bahamas,  Central  America,  and  the  greater  part  of  South 
America. 
,  Eggs.  —  Laid  on  the  bare  ground  in  exposed  situations  ;  2,  creamy,  olive 


Fig.  292. 


GOATSUCKERS  227 

buff,  or  gray,  profusely  blotched  or  speckled  with  blackish,  brownish  gray, 
and  lavender. 

Food .  —  Insects,  such  as  flies,  ants,  mosquitoes,  small  beetles,  grasshop- 
pers, crickets,  and  moths. 

The  three  forms  of  mrginianus  resemble  each  other  so  closely  in 
habit  and  appearance  that  they  are  difficult  to  distinguish  except  in 
the  hand.  Their  distribution  is  little  help  in  determining  them  except 
during  the  breeding  season,  when  sennetti  retires  northward  ;  for  in 
migration  henryi  and  sennetti  range  together  from  Dakota  to  Texas; 
and  in  winter  all  the  nighthawks  go  to  South  America. 

The  nighthawks,  while  wholly  absorbed  in  their  own  aerial  pur- 
suits, nevertheless  beguile  many  an  hour  for  the  weary  wayfarer  in 
the  west.  As  the  ambulance-like  'hack'  or  prairie  schooner  makes 
its  slow  way  over  the  hot  bare  plains,  the  traveler  hails  with  delight 
the  sight  of  the  little  black  stick  lying  on  the  ground  in  the  midst 
of  the  glaring  flatness.  The  bird's  eyes  are  shut  and  his  long  wings 
folded  close  to  his  sides,  but  at  the  sound  of  horses'  hoofs  he  is  up  in 
the  sky,  sailing  this  way  and  that,  a  bit  of  active  life  in  the  lifeless 
plain. 

Then  when  nightfall  approaches  and  camp  is  pitched  by  a  water- 
hole  in  the  rocks,  in  the  midst  of  the  desolate  expanse  the  traveler 
feels  a  thrill  of  homelike  companionship  as  the  'peent'  of  a  night- 
hawk  makes  him  glance  up  and  he  finds  a  score  of  the  old  familiar 
forms  zigzagging  about  showing  their  white  wing  crescents  at  the 
turns  of  their  flight. 

How  wonderfully  at  home  they  seem  in  the  sky  !  Now  they  soar 
with  wings  set  at  an  angle,  then  flap  along  in  a  straight  line,  to  dive 
suddenly  straight  down  almost  into  camp  with  a  loud,  whizzing 
boom. 

In  the  nesting  season  as  the  hunter  crosses  a  bare  space  among 
the  rocks  on  the  mountains,  sometimes  a  nighthawk  will  start  from 
under  his  very  feet  and  with  wings  outspread  and  tail  hanging 
trail  lamely  off  till  satisfied  with  her  ruse,  when  with  swift  strong 
flight  she  makes  a  wide  circle  and  returns  either  to  trail  once  more 
before  him  or  to  settle  down  on  a  rock  where  she  can  watch  to  see 
if  he  has  discovered  her  almost  invisible  young. 

420a.  C.  V.  henryi  (Cass.).    WESTERN  NIGHTHAWK. 

Similar  to  virginianus,  but  paler;  upper  parts  mainly  light  grayish 
huffy  or  ochraceous  ;  dark  bars  on  under  parts  spaced  with  tawny  white. 

Remarks.  —  Though  lighter  than  virginianus,  henryi  is  much  darker 
than  sennetti,  which  is  light  brown,  buffy,  and  on  wing  coverts  mainly 
whitish. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  an$  Canadian  zones  of  the  western 


228  GOATSUCKERS 

United  States  from  the  plains  to  the  Pacific,  and  to  British  Columbia  west 
of  Cascades ;  migrates  to  northern  South  America. 

Eggs.  —  Laid  on  the  ground  in  open  situations  ;  2,  like  those  of  virgin- 
ianus. 

420c.  C.  V.  sennetti  (Coues).    SENNETT  NIGHTHAWK. 

Similar  to  henryi,  but  much  paler;  top  of  head  brownish  instead  of 
blackish  ;  wing  coverts  largely  whitish  ;  under  parts  with  dark  bars  brown 
instead  of  black,  spaced  with  white  instead  of  buffy. 

Distribution.  —  Treeless  region  of  the  plains,  from  the  Saskatchewan 
south  to  Texas. 

421.    Chordeiles   acutipennis   texensis    (Lawr.).     TEXAN 

NIGHTHAWK. 

Adult  male.  —  White  throat  patch  without  adjoining  black  chest  patch, 

belly  barred  with  blackish  and 
buffy  ;  upper  parts  dull  mottled 
gray,  streaked  with  blackish  ; 
white  wing  band  back  of  tip  of  sev- 
enth quill;  space  between  white 
band  and  primary  coverts  spotted 

Fig.  293.  with  brown.     Adult  female:  sim- 

ilar, but  with  white  tail  band 
restricted  or  wanting  and  wing  band  buffy.  Young :  more  finely  mottled, 
with  less  blackish  above,  less  barring  beneath,  and  upper  parts  often 
suffused  with  cinnamon  or  rusty  buff.  Length :  8-9,  wing  6.60-7.30,  tail 
4.10-4.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  Texas  to  southern 
California,  and  from  Nevada  and  Utah  south  to  Cape  St.  Lucas  and  Ve- 
ragua. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited  on  the  bare  ground ;  2,  clay  color  to  creamy,  minutely 
marbled  with  dots  of  grays,  browns,  and  lilac. 
Food.  —  Partly  moths,  cicadas,  and  beetles. 

Mr.  Anthony  found  the  Texan  nighthawks  '  fairly  swarming '  at 
Deming,  New  Mexico;  and  in  Phoenix  and  Yuma,  Arizona,  and  in 
the  southwestern  parts  of  Texas,  Mr.  Bailey  found  them  abundant. 
They  sit  in  the  shade  during  the  day,  but  at  night  the  air  is  filled 
with  their  'bubbling  cry,'  especially  about  water.  At  Yuma  they 
would  come  to  the  river  just  after  sundown  to  drink.  Hovering 
close  to  the  water  with  neck  bent  down  they  would  take  a  sip,  then 
fly  a  little  way  and  repeat  it.  After  drinking  they  would  circle 
over  the  water  till  dark  in  pursuit  of  insects.  At  Owen  Lake,  Cali- 
fornia, they  were  found  skimming  close  to  the  water  in  pursuit  of  a 
small  fly  which  was  swarming  on  and  near  the  shore. 

Mr.  Anthony  says  they  do  not  indulge  in  the  aerial  evolutions  of 
other  nighthawks,  but  fly  low,  doing  much  of  their  hunting  within 
two  feet  of  the  ground,  jumping  up  after  passing  insects  much  as 
the  poor-wills  do. 

On  the  wing  they  are  easily  told  from  other  nighthawks  by  their 
brownness  and  by  the  position  of  the  wing  bar  near  the  tip  of  the 


SWIFTS  229 

wing.  Their  voice  also  marks  them.  They  do  not  boom  or  give 
the  quank  characteristic  of  other  members  of  the  family.  Mr.  Bai- 
ley describes  their  notes  as  a  low  rapid  chuck,  chuck,  chuck,  followed 
by  a  soft  pwWr'rVV,  which,  when  several  birds  are  about,  be- 
comes almost  incessant. 

In  parts  of  southwestern  Texas  during  the  breeding  season  the 
Texan  is  the  only  nighthawk,  and  Dr.  Mearns  states  that  he  has 
never  known  henryi  to  infringe  on  the  territory  of  texensis  in  the 
breeding  season,  henryi  nesting  in  the  pines  and  spruces  of  Transi- 
tion and  Boreal  zones ;  texensis  below  the  pines  in  Lower  Sonoran 
zone.  In  California,  Mr.  Grinnell  says,  texensis  nests  in  dry  parts 
of  river-beds  and  sandy  places  among  sagebrush. 

FAMILY  MICROPODID JB  :  SWIFTS. 

KEY   TO   GENEKA. 

1»  Tarsus  and  part  of  toes  feathered Aeronautes,  p.  232. 

1'.  Tarsus  and  toes  naked. 

5j 
2.  Tail  feathers  tipped  with  spines    .     .      Chaetura,  p.  230.    ^ 

Fig.  294. 
2'.  Tail  feathers  not  tipped  with  spines  .  Cypseloides,  p.  229. 

GENUS   CYPSELOIDES. 

422.  Cypseloides  niger  borealis  (Kenn.).    BLACK  SWIFT. 

Tail  slightly  forked  ;  tarsus  and  toes  naked,  the  hind  toe  pointing  back- 
ward.     Adults :    dusky   or    blackish, 
lighter  on  head  and  neck,  the  forehead 
hoary,  a  velvety  black  area  in  front  of 
ejTe.      Young :    similar,    but    feathers 

tipped  with    whitish.      Length :   7.00-  Fig.  295. 

7.50,  wing  6.50-7.50,  tail  2.30-3.00. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  Rocky  Mountain  region  west  to  the  Pacific, 
and  from  British  Columbia  south  to  Lower  California  and  Costa  Rica. 

Nest.  —  On  cliffs  or  about  buildings.  One  described  by  M.  H.  Gorm- 
ley,  on  the  cornice  of  a  building,  made  of  straws,  chips,  and  horsehair, 
lined  with  green  leaves  and  paper.  Eggs  :  5,  white. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  black  swift  has  been  found  breeding  on  inaccessible  cliffs  in 
various  parts  of  the  west,  but  little  that  is  peculiar  has  been  discov- 
ered about  its  habits  except  that  it  is  less  noisy  than  most  of  the 
swifts.  A  nest  was  accidentally  discovered  by  Mr.  Vrooman  at 
Santa  Cruz  when  collecting  cormorants'  eggs  on  the  cliffs. 

Mr.  Rathbun  says  the  swifts  may  be  seen  circling  about  above  the 
city  of  Seattle,  rarely  being  seen,  except  when  rain  threatens,  lower 
than  from  300  to  500  feet. 


230 


SWIFTS 
GENUS    CH-aBTURA. 


General  Characters.  —  Tail  less  than  half  as  long  as  wing,  rounded  or 
even,  the  feathers  usually  with  distinct  spines  ;  wing  less  than  5.50 ;  tar- 
sus and  toes  naked,  hind  toe  directed  backward. 

KEY  TO  SPECIES. 

1.  Wing  5  or  more.     Eastern pelagica,  p.  230. 

1'.  Wing  decidedly  less  than  5.     Pacific  to  Sierra  Nevada. 

vauxii,  p.  231. 

423.  Chaetura  pelagica  (Linn.).     CHIMNEY  SWIFT. 

Sooty  gray,  the  throat  paler.  Length  :  4.75-5.50,  wing  5.00-5.25,  tail, 
including  spines,  1.90-2.15. 


Fig.  29G. 


SWIFTS  231 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  eastern  North  America  from  northern  Mani- 
toba and  Labrador  southward,  west  to  the  Great  Plains  ;  migrates  beyond 
the  United  States  as  far  as  Yucatan  and  Jalapa,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  wall  pocket  of  twigs,  glued  together  with  saliva  and  fas- 
tened to  inside  of  hollow  tree  or  chimney.  Eggs :  4  to  6,  white. 

Food. —  Insects. 

The  eastern  chimney  swifts  are  said  to  be  common  in  western 
Kansas.  "They  are  dark  little  birds  who  row  through  the  air  like 
racers,  twittering  sociably  as  they  go.  Sometimes  as  you  watch 
them  on  a  village  street  you  will  see  them  suddenly  stop  short  and 
pitch  down  the  black  mouth  of  a  chimney,  for  it  is  now  only  the 
most  old-fashioned  ones  who  nest  in  hollow  trees.  .  .  .  There  is 
actually  no  record  of  their  alighting  anywhere  except  in  a  hollow 
tree  or  a  chimney.  They  even  gather  their  nesting  materials  on  the 
wing,  breaking  off  bits  of  twig  in  their  feet,  and  it  is  said  with  their 
bills,  literally,  in  passing.  ...  It  would  be  quite  impossible  for  an 
ordinary  bird  to  fasten  a  wall-pocket  of  twigs  to  a  perpendicular 
chimney,  but  the  swift  is  provided  with  a  salivary  glue  that  defies 
anything  but  heavy  rain."  (Birds  of  Village  and  Field.) 

424.  Chsetura  vauxii  (Towns.).    VAUX  SWIFT. 

Upper  parts  sooty  brown,  lighter  on  rump  and  tail ;  tail  tipped  with 
spines ;    under   parts   gray,    lighter   on   throat. 
Length:  4.15-4.50,  wing  4.30-4.75,  tail  (includ- 
ing spines)  1.50-1.90. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  region  from  Brit- 
ish  Columbia  south  to   Lower  California,  and 

east  to  western  Montana  and  Arizona  —  rare  and  sporadic  east  of  the  Cas- 
cades and  Sierra  Nevada ;  migrates  to  Mexico  and  Central  America. 

Nest .  —  Of  small  twigs  glued  together  and  fastened  to  the  inside  of  a 
hollow  tree.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  white. 

Food.  —  Aerial  insects. 

Major  Bendire  says  that  the  Vaux  swift  usually  reaches  the  United 
States  on  its  way  back  from  Central  America  about  the  middle  of 
April,  and  leaves  in  October.  It  migrates  in  flocks  of  from  fifty  to 
a  hundred,  but  when  at  home  generally  hunts  in  small  flocks  of 
fifteen  or  twenty.  Mr.  Anthony  once  found  a  pair  nesting  in  a  large 
stub,  and  says  that  in  going  to  the  nest  they  would  'circle  about 
fully  two  hundred  feet  above  the  stub,  until  directly  over  the  open- 
ing ;  then,  darting  down  like  a  flash,  would  disappear  with  a  sharp 
twitter.' 

Mr.  Littlejohn,  of  Redwood,  California,  has  found  a  pair  of  swifts 
nesting  in  a  chimney,  and  it  will  be  interesting  for  observers  to 
watch  the  birds  to  see  how  soon  they  acquire  the  habits  of  the  more 
civilized  swifts. 


232  HUMMINGBIRDS 

GENUS  AERONAUTES. 

425.   Aeronautes   melanoleucus    (Baird).     WHITE-THROATED 

SWIFT. 

Tail  about  one  half  as  long  as  wing-,  forked,  with  stiffish  and  narrowed 
but  not  spiny  feathers ;  tarsus  and  part  of 
toes  feathered ;  hind  toe  directed  either 

__  forward  or  to  the  side,  but  not  backward. 

PI    298  Upper  parts   blackish ;    throat  and   breast 

and  patches  on  wing  and  sides  of  rump  white; 
sides  blackish ;  tail  without  bristles.  Length :  6.50-7.00,  wing  5.30-5.90, 
tail  2.50-2.70. 

Remarks.  —  The  white  markings  distinguish  this  swift  from  vauxii, 
whether  seen  from  above  or  below. 

Distribution.  —  Western  United  States  from  the  Pacific  coast  east  to  the 
region  of  the  Black  Hills,  western  Nebraska ;  and  from  Montana  south  to 
Lower  California  and  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  On  cliffs  or  in  caves,  glued  to  the  rocks,  made  of  vegetable 
matter  and  stiff  feathers,  lined  with  bark  fiber  and  a  few  feathers.  Eggs  : 
4  or  5,  white. 

Food.  —  Aerial  insects. 

There  is  one  bird  that  needs  no  protective  legislation  for  itself  or 
nest.  The  home  of  the  white- throated  swifts  is  in  the  air  around  lofty 
peaks  and  cliffs,  where  they  circle  and  wheel  and  dart  on  curved, 
cutting  wings  with  arrow-like  speed.  As  you  stand  on  the  crest  of 
a  ridge  where  they  pass,  there  is  a  flash  of  black  and  white  and  a 
bullet-like  whizz  as  one  after  another  goes  by,  and  you  wonder  that 
any  living  thing  can  move  with  such  speed.  I  have  seen  collectors 
who  were  good  wing  shots  fire  till  their  gun  barrels  were  hot  and 
turn  away  with  empty  belts  and  only  a  single  specimen  of  the  swifts. 
As  the  birds  seldom  come  to  low  altitudes  it  is  not  strange  that  they 
should  be  rare  in  collections.  Their  nests,  placed  in  crevices  or 
caves  half  way  up  inaccessible  cliffs,  have  rarely  been  taken. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

FAMILY   TROCHILID-5I  :   HUMMINGBIRDS. 

KEY   TO   GENERA. 


1.  Exposed  culmen  half  as  long  as  wing  or  longer. 

Calothorax,  p.  242. 
V.  Exposed  culmen  less  than  half  as  long  as  wing. 

Fig.  299. 

2.  Exposed  culmen  not  more  than  .50 ;  outer  tail  feathers 

black-barred  and  white-tipped  in  both  sexes    .     .     Atthis,  p.  241. 
2'.  Exposed  culmen  more  than  .50 ;  outer  tail  feathers  not  black-barred 

and  white-tipped  in  both  sexes. 
3.  Nostrils  nearly  or  wholly  naked. 

4.  Tail  blue  black  in  both  sexes,  upper  parts  metallic  grass  green. 

lache,  p.  244. 

4'.  Tail  not  blue  black. 


HUMMINGBIRDS  233 

5.  Exposed  culmen  not  more  than  half  as  long-  as  tail ;  with  white 

stripe  back  of  eye Basilinna,  p.  243. 

5'.  Exposed  culmen  more  than  half  as  long  as  tail ;  without  white 

stripe  back  of  eye Amizilis,  p.  243. 

3'.  Nostrils  nearly  or  wholly  feathered. 
4.  Wing  more  than  2.40. 

5.  Tail  chiefly  black  —  gorget  of  male  intense  blue. 

Cceligena,  p.  234. 
5'.  Tail  wholly  (male)  or  partly  (female)  greenish  bronze,  gorget 

of  male  emerald  green Eugenes,  p.  233. 

4'.  Wing  less  than  2.25. 

5.  Middle  tail  feathers  broader  near  end  than  toward 
base  —  spatulate Stellula,  p.  241. 

Fig.  300. 
5'.  Middle  tail  feathers  narrower  near  end  than  toward  base. 

6.  Tail  partly  rufous Selasphorus,  p.  238. 

6'.  Tail  without  rufous. 

7.  Adult  males  with  top  of  head  like  gorget ; 
females  with  outer  tail  feathers  broadly 
linear Calypte,  p.  236. 


7'.  Adult  males  with  top  of  head  like  back  ; 
females  with  outer  tail  feathers  concave  on 
inner  side  ....  Trochilus,  p.  234. 

GENUS   EUGENES.  Fig.  302. 

426.  Eugenes  fulgens  (Swains.).     RIVOLI  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Bill  flattened  and  slightly  widened  at  base  ;  tail  slightly  forked  in  male, 
double  rounded  in  female  ;  tarsus  feathered. 
Adult  male  :  top  of  head  metallic  purplish,  gorget 
brilliant  emerald  green ;  rest  of  upper  parts  bronzy 
green  ;  under  parts  blackish  green  or  dull  bronzy, 
breast  black  in  some  lights.  Adult  female  :  top  of 
head  dull  brownish,  small  white  spot  behind  eye  ; 
rest  of  upper  parts  bronzy  green  ;  lower  parts 
brownish  gray,  sides  washed  with  green  ;  tail  with 
outer  feathers  very  broadly  tipped  with  pale  gray 
or  whitish.  Young  :  similar  to  adult  female,  but 
feathers  of  upper  parts  with  pale  buffy  edgings. 
Male:  length  4.50-5.00,  wing  2.90-3.10,  tail  1.90- 
2.00,  bill  1.00-1.20.  Female:  wing  2.60-2.75,  tail 
1.70-1.90,  bill  1.00-1.15. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  of  southeastern  Ari- 
zona and  mountains  bordering  tablelands  of  Mex- 
ico to'Nicaragua.  From  Kidgway, ! 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  maples,  sycamores,  or  firs,  Fig  303 

35  to  50  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  silky  plant 

fibers  and  grass  tops,  coated  with  lichen  and  lined  with  sycamore  down 
and  feathers. 

Food.  —  Largely  insects  from  flowers  such  as  honeysuckle  and  agave. 


234  HUMMINGBIRDS 

Mr.  Willard  of  Tombstone,  Arizona,  says  that  the  noise  made  by 
the  wings  of  the  Rivoli  hummingbird  lacks  the  sharpness  of  that  of 
the  smaller  hummers  and  compares  it  to  the  buzzing  of  an  im- 
mense beetle  or  bumblebee.  He  adds  that  the  male  may  often  be 
seen  near  the  top  of  some  dead  tree  catching  insects  like  a  flycatcher. 
Mr.  W.  W.  Price  reports  that  the  hummers  feed  from  iris  and  also 
agave  flowers.  In  the  Chiricahua  Mountains  Dr.  Fisher  found  them 
gleaning  from  the  flowers  of  a  boreal  honeysuckle.  Mr.  Price 
records  them  only  between  the  altitudes  of  from  6500  to  9500  feet. 

GENUS    CCELIGENA. 

427.  CoBligena  clemencise  Less.  BLUE-THROATED  HUMMINGBIRD. 
Tail  more  than  two  thirds  as  long  as  wing-,  slightly  rounded,  feathers 
very  broad ;  bill  less  than  one  third  as  long 
as  wing.  Adult  male:  gorget  azure  blue; 
streak  from  bill  and  back  of  eye  white  ;  up- 
per parts  dull  bronzy  green,  changing  to 
purplish  black  on  upper  tail  coverts  and 
tail,  outer  tail  feathers  tipped  with  white  ; 
under  parts  slate  gray  washed  with  green  on 
sides.  Adult  female :  similar,  but  throat 
buffy  instead  of  blue.  Length:  4.50-5.40, 
wing  2.90-3.20,  tail  1.85-2.20,  exposed  cul- 
men  .85-1.00. 

Remarks.  —  The  females  of  the  blue- 
throated  and  the  Rivoli  can  be  easily  dis- 
tinguished by  the  tail,  which  in  the  blue- 
throated  is  blue  black,  in  the  Rivoli  largely 

From  Ridgway,  Smithsonian.          bronzy  green. 

Fig.  304.  Distribution.  —  Southern  Arizona,  western 

Texas,  and  mountains  of  the  tablelands  of  Mexico  to  Oaxaca. 

Nest.  —  Fine  mosses  and  oak  catkins,  bound  together  with  web,  placed 
in  the  fork  of  a  small  shrub,  or  on  a  fern.  (Breniger.)  Eggs :  2,  white. 

Among  the  little  restless,  darting,  scintillating  hummers  of  the 
United  States,  the  big,  quiet,  sober-colored  blue-throats  seem  more 
like  foreign  birds,  and  really  are  only  visitors  across  our  border  from 
Mexico.  Whether  bathing  in  the  spray  of  a  slender  mountain  fall, 
or  feeding  from  flower  to  flower,  they  have  a  low  hum  and  quiet 
ways,  perching  frequently  on  a  branch  to  twitter  a  little  song  and 
preen  their  feathers,  or  climbing  about  among  the  flowers  of  a  big 
agave  in  search  of  food  in  real  oriole  fashion.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS   TKOCHILUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Male  with  metallic  gorget  not  elongated  on  the 

^ — ^  sides ;  tail  forked  or  deeply  emarginate,  the  feathers 

^^^^ijSjf       pointed,  but  the  outside  ones  not  extremely  narrow ; 

Fi     3Q5  six  inner  primaries  abruptly  and  conspicuously  smaller 

than  the  rest  with  their  inner  web  more  or  less  notched 

or  toothed  at  tip.     Females  with  outer  tail  feathers  concave  on  side. 


HUMMINGBIRDS 


235 


KEY  TO  ADULT  MALE  TROCHILUS. 

1.  Throat  velvety  black.    Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Pacific. 

alexandri,  p.  235. 
1'.  Throat  metallic  crimson.    Plains  to  Atlantic  .     .     .     colubris,  p.  235. 

Subgenus  Trochilus. 
428.  Trochilus  colubris  Linn.    RUBY-THROATED  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Adult  male,  —  Chin  velvety  black,  scales  of  gorget  brilliant  crimson,  upper 
parts  bronzy  green  ;  under 
parts  dark  gray  glossed  with 
green;  wing  with  six  inner 
primaries  abruptly  shorter 
than  the  rest.  Adult  female  : 
tail  with  middle  feathers  all 
green,  the  rest  green  basally, 
then  black  ;  three  outer  pairs 
broadly  tipped  with  white. 
Young  male  :  similar  to  adult 
female,  but  throat  streaked 
with  dusky,  and  feathers  of 
upper  parts  edg'ed  with  pale 
buffy.  Young  female  :  sim- 
ilar, but  throat  without 
streaks,  and  tail  more 
rounded.  Male  :  length  3.07- 
8.25,  wing-  1.60,  tail  1.25,  tail 
forked  for  about  .30-.35,  ex- 
posed culmen  .5S-.65.  Fe- 
male :  length  3.50-3.85,  wing 
1.80,  tail  1.20,  bill  .70. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds 
from  the  Atlantic  to  western 

parts  of  Nebraska  and  Tex.-is,  „   , 

and  from  Labrador  south  to 
Florida  ;  migrates  to  Cuba,  Mexico,  and  Central  America. 

Nest.  —  A  felted  cup  of  soft  vegetable  fibers  coated  with  lichen  and 
fastened  with  web  ;  saddled  on  to  a  twig  or  small  branch  of  a  tree,  usually 
10  to  20  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  :  2,  white. 

Food.  —  Largely  minute  spiders  and  insects. 

The  ruby-throated  hummingbird  has  been  reported  as  breeding  in 
the  western  parts  of  Nebraska  and  Texas. 


429. 


Muls.    BLACK-CHINNED  HUM- 


Trochilus alexandri  Bourc. 
MINGBIRD. 

Adult  male.  —  Gorget  above  opaque  velvety  black,  below  metallic  violet  glit- 
tering- with  purple,  blue,  and  peacock  green  lights;  upper  parts 
greenish  ;  under  parts  soiled  whitish,  green  on  sides.  Adult 
female  :  upper  parts  bronzy  green  ;  under  parts  grayish  ; 
tail  much  rounded,  middle  pair  of  feathers  about  the  longest 
and  wholly  green,  next  two  feathers  green  tipped  with  black, 
outer  three  tipped  with  white.  Young  :  similar  to  adult  female, 
but  feathers  of  upper  parts  tipped  with  buffy  or  rusty  and 
throat  of  male  streaked  with  dusky.  Male:  length  3.30-3.75,  wing  1.70- 
1.75,  tail  1.25,  bill  .70-.75.  Female:  length  3.90-4.10,  wing  1.90-2.00. 


Fig.  307. 


236  HUMMINGBIRDS 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from 
British  Columbia  south  to  Lower  California  and  from  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains and  Texas  to  the  Pacific  ;  winters  in  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  trees  or  bushes  4  to  8  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  white 
or  sponge-colored  plant  down,  covered  with  spider  web,  sometimes  with 
addition  of  leaves  or  flowers.  Eggs :  2  or  3,  white. 

Food.  —  Largely  minute  insects. 

In  southern  California  the  black-chinned  hummer  may  often  be 
seen  sunning  himself  on  an  oak  twig,  his  dull  black  throat  relieved 
by  a  violet  band  that  glints  green  and  blue  as  he  turns  his  head. 
Ordinarily  he  seems  the  quietest,  most  unemotional  of  humming- 
birds, but  if  fortunate  you  may  come  on  him  when  performing  his 
aerial  love-dance.  One  that  I  once  watched  took  his  stand  below 
his  lady's  perch  and  fixing  his  eyes  upon  her  swung  shuttling  from 
side  to  side  in  an  arc,  with  the  sound  and  regularity  of  a  machine. 
He  never  turned  around  or  took  his  eyes  from  hers,  but  at  the  end 
of  the  arc  —  less  than  a  yard  in  length  —  always  threw  himself  back 
by  a  quick  spread  of  his  tail.  She  sat  as  if  hypnotized,  her  long  bill 
turning  as  he  turned,  her  eyes  following  every  motion  with  droll 
absorption.  In  spite  of  her  flattering  attention,  however,  when  his 
dance  was  over  and  he  looked  up  for  approval,  she  apparently  made 
some  slighting  remark,  for  he  whizzed  off  in  a  hurry  and  was  seen 
no  more. 

In  Los  Angeles  County,  California,  Mr.  Grinnell  says  black-chins 
are  summer  residents  from  the  lowlands  to  the  tops  of  the  moun- 
tains, but  most  abundant  in  the  foothills,  where  they  breed  in  can- 
yons some  years  by  the  thousands.  Their  numbers  vary  with  the 
rainfall,  as  the  abundant  flowering  plants  that  follow  a  wet  winter 
afford  them  ample  food.  At  Phoenix,  Arizona,  Mr.  Bailey  found 
that  one  of  their  favorite  feeding  flowers  was  the  desert  Fouquiera. 

QENTJS  CALYPTE. 

General  Characters.  —  Adult  males  with  tail  emarginate  or 
slightly  forked,  outside  feathers  abruptly  narrower 
than  the  rest.  Adult  females  with  outer  tail  feath- 
ers decidedly  narrower  than  the  rest,  but  with  broad 
rounded  end. 

i 

Fig.  308.  KEY  TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Males  with  gorget  and  top  of  head  purplish  red ;  females  with  under 
parts  brownish  gray anna,  p.  237. 

1'.  Males  with  gorget  and  top  of  head  metallic  violet ;  females  with  under 
parts  white costse,  p.  236. 

430.  Calypte  costse  (Bourc.).    COSTA  HUMMINGBIRD. 
Adult  male.  —  Head,  gorget,  and  long  faring  ruff  brilliantly  burnished 


HUMMINGBIRDS 


237 


,  Smithsonian. 


.  •  ^ 


metallic  amethyst  violet  changing  to  blue  and  green  ;  back,  rump,  and  mid- 

dle  tail   feathers   green  or  bronze,  outer   feathers   purplish   dusky  ;  tail 

slightly  forked,  outer  feathers  abruptly  narrower 

than  pair  next  them  ;  under  parts  whitish,  belly 

glossed   with   green.     Adult  female  :  under   parts 

whitish,  throat  more  or  less  spotted  with  metallic 

purple  ;   sides  greenish  ;  upper  parts  and  middle 

tail   feathers  bronzy  green,  other  feathers  grayish 

brown  at  base,  with  black  subterminal  band  and 

white  tip.      Young  :  similar  to  female,  but  duller, 

and  feathers  of  upper  parts  narrowly  tipped  with 

buffy  whitish.    Male  :  length  2.75-3.20,  wing  1.75- 

1.90,  tail  1.10,  bill  .65-68.     Female:  length  3.55- 

3.70,  wing  1.70,  tail  1.05,  bill  .70. 

Remarks.  —  The  scales  on  the  crown  distinguish 
costce    from    any    common    hummingbird     except  j^g.  31or 
anna,  and  in   costce   the    glitter  is  bluish   purple, 
never  pinkish  as  in  anna.     The  females  of  anna 
and  costai  may  be  distinguished  by  the  small  size  of  costce,  and  female 
costce  from  females  of  Selasphorus  and  Atthis  by  absence  of  rufous  on  tail. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  southern  parts  of 
New  Mexico  and  Utah  to  southern  California  ;  migrates  to  Lower  Cali- 
fornia and  other  parts  of  western  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Loosely  made  of  plant  down  or  shreds  of  plant  fiber  lined  some- 
times with  feathers  and  covered  with  bits  of  gray  lichen,  bark,  and  leaves, 
bound  with  web  ;  placed  from  1  to  6  feet  from  the  ground,  on  cactus,  in 
bushes  or  trees.  Eggs  :  2,  white. 

Food.  —  Insects  found  on  plants  and  shrubs  such  as  squaw  cabbage, 
wild  rose,  plum,  and  cherry. 

The  habits  of  the  Costa  hummingbird  seem  to  differ  little  from 
those  of  the  family  except  that  it  is  somewhat  more  of  a  desert-loving 
species.  Dr.  Fisher  states  that  it  is  the  common  hummingbird  of 
the  desert  valleys  and  mountains  of  southern  California  and  Nevada. 
He  has  seen  it  hovering  over  a  bunch  of  flowers  by  moonlight.  Mr. 
F.  Stephens  reports  the  rare  sight  of  a  male  hummer  helping  to  build 
the  nest. 


431.  Calypte  anna  (.Less.).    ANNA  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head,  gorget,  and  long  ruff  brilliant  metallic  deep 
rose  pink  with  bronzy  and  green  lights  ;  upper 
parts  and  middle  tail  feathers  metallic  green  or 
bronzy ;  tail  decidedly  forked,  without  rufous  or 
white;  feathers  widening  gradually  from  outside 
to  middle ;  under  parts  whitish  glossed  with 
green.  Adult  female :  similar  except  on  head  and 
tail ;  crown  green  like  back ;  throat  usually 
specked  with  rose.  Young :  similar  to  adult  female,  but  feathers  of  upper 
parts  edged  with  brown.  Male :  length  3.40-3.60,  wing  1.90-2.00,  tail 
1.30-1.45,  bill  .65-.70.  Female:  length  3.80-4.15,  wing  2.05,  tail  1.30, 
bill  .75. 

Remarks.  —  Female  anna  is  larger  than  the  females  of  costce,  or  of  Tro- 
chilus  alexandri  or  colubris. 


From  Ridgway,  Smithsonian. 
Fig.  311. 


238  HUMMINGBIRDS 

Distribution.  —  Central  and  southern  California,  chiefly  west  of  the 
mountains,  southern  Arizona,  and  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  Plant  down  covered  with  bits  of  green  mosses  and  lichens,  fas- 
tened by  web,  sometimes  lined  with  feathers  or  fur ;  placed  usually  8  to  15 
feet  from  the  ground,  in  trees  or  bushes  often  overhanging-  water.  Eggs  : 
2,  white. 

Food.  —  Spiders,  small  insects,  and  nectar  from  flowers  ;  also  sap  exud- 
ing- from  sapsucker  punctures. 

"Like  all  the  hummingbirds  this  species  follows  the  flowers,  and 
its  local  presence  or  absence  is  governed  by  their  abundance  or 
scarcity.  Thus,  in  August  and  September  hundreds  of  Anna  hum- 
mers are  to  be  found  over  the  stubble  fields  and  sunflower  patches, 
attracted  by  the  flowers  of  the  'tar-weed.'  Dining  the  winter 
months  they  are  found  in  profusion  about  the  blossoming  eucalyptus 
trees.  In  January  and  February  when  the  weather  is  mild,  they 
appear  high  on  the  mountain  sides  among  the  flowering  manzanitas  ; 
and  in  March  and  April  in  the  blossoming  orange  groves  in  the 
valley,  and  about  the  currant  bushes  on  the  hillsides."  (Joseph 
Grinnell.) 

GENUS  SELASPHORUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Adult    males    with    outer    primary  narrow  and 
pointed  ;  tail  feathers  partly  rufous,  more  or  less  grad- 

Fie.  312 

KEY   TO  ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Top  of  head  red  like  g-org-et floresii,  p.  238. 

1'.  Top  of  head  greenish,  unlike  gorget. 

2.  Upper  parts  mainly  rufous rufus,  p.  239. 

2'.  Upper  parts  mainly  green. 

3.  Gorget  purple platycercus,  p.  238. 

3'.  Gorget  scarlet alleni,  p.  241. 

[431.1.]  Selasphorus  floresii  Gould.    FLORESI  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head  and  gorget  brilliant  metallic  red ;  middle  tail 
feathers  green  bordered  with  rufous,  outer  tail  feathers  wholly  dusky ;  belly 
white;  sides  and  flanks  green.  Adult  female:  unknown.  Length:  3.25, 
wing  1.75,  tail  1.40,  exposed  culmen  .65. 

Distribution.  —  Mexico.     Recorded  at  San  Francisco  and  Haywards. 

432.  Selasphorus  platycercus  (Swains.).    BROAD-TAILED  HUM- 
MINGBIRD. 

Adult  male. —  Gorget  without  elongated  sides,  deep  rose  pink ;  top  of  head 
bronzy  green  like  back  and  middle  tail  feathers ;  other  tail 
feathers  purplish  black,  some  of  them  edged  with  rufous  ; 
under  parts  whitish,  sides  glossed  with  green.  Adult  female 
and  young  :  upper  parts  bronzy  green  ;  under  parts  whitish, 
the  throat  with  dark  specks,  sometimes  with  a  few  central 
feathers  like  gorget  of  male ;  sides  brownish ;  three  outer 
tail  feathers  rufous  at  base,  with  a  black  sub  terminal  band 
Fig.  313.  and  white  tip ;  a  touch  of  green  on  the  second  and  third 


HUMMINGBIRDS  239 

feather  between  the  rufous  and  black,  the  fourth  feather  green  but 
marked  with  a  terminal  or  subterminal  spot  of  black,  and  edged  with 
rufous,  tip  often  white.  Male:  length  4.00-4.25,  wing-  1.92- 
2.05,  tail  1.40-1.60,  bill  .62-.70.  Female  :  length  4.10-4.70, 
wing  2.00-2.10,  tail  1.45-1.50,  bill  .70-.72. 

Remarks.  — The  females  of  platycercus  and  rufus  must  be 
carefully  discriminated.  In  platycercus  the  middle  tail  feath- 
ers are  wholly  green,  in  rufus  brown  at  base  ;  in  platycercus 
the  rufous  of  the  outer  feathers  is  basal  and  of  less  extent 
than  the  black ;  in  rufus  the  rufous  equals  or  exceeds  the  black ;  in 
platycercus  the  next  to  the  middle  feather  is  mainly  green,  in  rufus  the 
rufous  covers  as  much  ground  as  the  green,  black,  and  white  all  together  ; 
in  platycercus  the  outer  feather  is  .25  broad,  in  rufus  .12  broad. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  of  the  Rocky 
Mountain  district  from  Idaho  and  Wyoming  to  mountains  of  Arizona  and 
New  Mexico  ;  west  to  the  Sierra  Nevada  ;  migrates  to  Guatemala  ;  recorded 
from  Oakland. 

Nest.  —  Usually  within  15  feet  of  the  ground  on  branches  of  trees, 
often  overhanging  a  mountain  stream,  made  of  willow  or  cottonwood  down 
covered  with  lichen  alone,  or  lichen,  bark,  leaves,  and  plant  fibers.  Eggs : 
2,  white. 

Food.  —  Insects  found  on  flowers  of  Castilleia,  Fouqueria,  Gilia,  Agave, 
and  others. 

Major  Bendire  says  that  the  broad-tailed  hummingbirds  breed  in 
the  lower  foothills  and  valleys  on  their  first  arrival  from  the  south, 
but  by  the  time  the  young  are  able  to  fly  the  flowers  have  ceased 
blooming  and  the  country  is  getting  so  dry  that  they  go  to  the  moun- 
tain parks  to  raise  their  second  broods. 

At  9000  feet  in  the  Sacramento  Mountains  we  found  the  birds 
abundant  the  last  of  May  feeding  from  the  gooseberry  bushes. 
The  noise  they  made  in  buzzing  about  the  bushes  and  flying  through 
the  air  was  a  metallic  rattle  strikingly  different  from  the  noise  made 
by  rufus,  colubris,  alexandri,  or  any  other  hummingbird  I  had  ever 
heard.  In  addition  to  a  squeaky  little  song  the  hummers  had  some 
small  staccato  notes. 

When  camped  at  Little  Spring,  San  Francisco  Mountain,  Dr.  Mer- 
riam  found  platycercus  very  abundant.  They  came  to  the  spring  to 
drink  and  bathe  at  daylight.  He  says:  "They  were  like  a  swarm 
of  bees,  buzzing  about  one's  head  and  darting  to  and  fro  in  every 
direction.  The  air  was  full  of  them.  They  would  drop  down  to 
the  water,  dip  their  feet  and  bellies,  and  rise  and  shoot  away  as  if 
propelled  by  an  unseen  power." 

433.  Selasphorus  rufus  (GmeL).    RUFOUS  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Adult  male.  —  Gorget  fire  red,  orange,  and  brassy  green ;  general  body 
color  bright  reddish  brown,  glossed  with  bronzy  green  on  crown  and  some- 
times back,  and  fading  to  white  next  to  gorget  and  on  belly  ;  tail  feathers 
rufous,  with  dark  mesial  streaks ;  middle  tail  feather  broad,  pointed  at 
tip,  second  from  middle  deeply  notched  on  inner  web,  sinuated  on  outer  web, 


240  HUMMINGBIRDS 

Adult  female :  upper  parts  bronzy  and  rufous,  rufous  on  rump  and  tail 
coverts ;  under  parts  whitish,  throat  sometimes  with  a  few 
central  brilliant  feathers ;  sides  shaded  with  rufous  ;  tail  feath- 
ers rufous  at  base,  the  middle  ones  green  nearly  to  base  ;  outer 
ones  with  broacl.  blackish  subterminal  band  and  white  tips  ; 
outside  feather  more  than  .10  wide.  Young  males:  similar  to 
adult  female,  but  feathers  of  upper  parts  edged  with  rusty, 
rump  rufous,  and  throat  showing  specks  of  metallic  red.  Young 
females :  similar  to  young  males,  but  rump  green  and  throat 
specked  only  with  green.  Male:  length  3.25-3.70,  wing  1.50-1.60,  tail 
1.30-1.35,  bill  .60.  Female :  length  3.50-3.90, 
wing  1.75-1.80,  tail  1.25-1.30,  bill  .65-.70. 

Remarks.  —  The  male  may  be  told  by  its 
reddish  back  and  the  nick  in  the  second  tail 
feather.  See  remarks  under  S.  platycercus. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and 
Canadian  zones  of  western  North  America 
from  the  higher  mountains  of  southern  Cali- 
fornia and  Arizona  north  to  latitude  61°  in 
Alaska  ;  during  migrations  east  to  Montana, 
Wyoming.  Colorado.  New  Mexico,  and  west- 
ern Texas  ;  winters  in  southern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Lined  with  down,   and  decorated 
with  mosses,  lichens,  and  bark ;  often  placed 
in  ferns,  bushes,  trees,  and  vines  overhanging 
Fig.  316.    Rufous  Hummingbird,  embankments.     Eggs:  usually  2,  white. 

Food.  —  Insects  such  as  those  found  on  wild 

currant  and  gooseberry  bushes,  cherry-tree  blossoms,  fire-weed,  Castilleia, 
Gilia,  Pentstemon,  and  Agave  flowers. 

During  the  spring  migration  rufus,  the  big  brown  hummer,  is 
common  in  southern  California,  especially  about  the  blooming  orange 
groves  and  the  wild  gooseberry  bushes  scattered  through  the  cha- 
parral. 

On  the  birds'  breeding  ground  the  flowers  they  feed  on,  as  far  as 
I  have  observed,  are  mainly  red,  as  the  hummer's  coloration  might 
suggest.  On  San  Francisco  Mountain,  Arizona,  they  were  es- 
pecially fond  of  the  scarlet  pentstemons.  On  Mount  Shasta  they  fed 
from  the  painted-cups,  tiger  lilies,  and  columbines.  Any  spot  of 
red  would  attract  them  as  it  does  other  hummers,  and  they  investi- 
gated it  fearlessly  even  when  it  adorned  the  person  of  a  collector. 

One  of  the  birds  actually  crossed  a  wide  meadow  of  green  brakes 
straight  to  a  single  columbine  standing  most  inconspicuously  near 
the  woods.  But  the  painted-cups  were  their  especial  delight  on 
Shasta,  and  a  meadow  full  of  the  flowers  was  fairly  alive  with  them. 
When  attending  strictly  to  his  meal  a  hummer  would  circle  sys- 
tematically around  the  cup,  probing  its  tubes  as  he  went,  but  for 
the  most  part  the  squeaking,  pugnacious  little  scraps  would  be 
whizzing  in  and  out,  gleams  of  green,  gold,  or  scarlet  glancing 
from  their  gorgets  as  they  streaked  after  one  another,  climbing  the 


HUMMINGBIRDS  241 

air  bill  to  bill,  or  shooting  up  and  sweeping  down  apparently  from 
sheer  exuberance  of  spirits.  They  seem  to  be  always  quarreling 
among  themselves,  and  when  it  comes  to  other  species  of  their  family 
they  attack  and  drive  them  off  with  promptness  and  decision. 

As  soon  as  the  last  brood  is  out  of  the  nest,  Mr.  Henshaw  says, 
the  males,  warned  by  the  frosty  nights  and  the  decreasing  supply  of 
food,  start  at  once  for  their  winter  quarters,  leaving  the  females  and 
young  to  follow  later.  » 

434.  Selasphorus  alien!  Henshw.    ALLEN  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  rufus,  but  whole  back  as  well  as  crown  bright 
bronzy  green,   two  outer  tail  feathers  very  nar- 
row, and  second  from  middle  without  notch  or  sin- 
uation  ;  outer  feather  much  less  than  .10  wide. 
Adult  female  :  similar  to  female  rufus,  but  with    I 
outer  tail  feathers  not  more  than  .10  wide,    Male:   v. 
length  3.25-3.30,  wing  1.50-1.55,  tail  1. 10-1.20, 
„.     „../  exposed   culmen   .60-.65.     Female :   length   3.40,  wing 

1.65-1.70,  tail  1.05-1.15,  exposed  culmen  .68-.70. 
Distribution.  —  Breeds   in  Transition   and   Upper  Sonoran  zones  from 
southern  British  Columbia  south  along  the    coast,  and  east  to  southern 
Arizona ;  migrates  to  Lower  California  and  Sonora,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  cup  compactly  made  of  plant  down  covered  with  green  mosses, 
usually  placed  on  weed  stalks,  hedges,  or  bushes  overhanging  water.  Eggs  : 
2,  white. 

GENUS   ATTHIS. 

436.  Atthis  morcomi  Ridgw.    MORCOM  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Similar  to  Stellula,  but  tail  feathers  not  inclining  to  spatulate,  the  outer 
two  or  three  broadly  tipped  with  white  in  both  sexes  ;  feathers  of  gorget 
in  male  broader  and  without  white  bases.  Adult  male  :  unknown.  Adult 
female  :  upper  parts  bronzy  green,  becoming  brownish  on  forehead  ;  tail 
rufous  at  base,  then,  on  middle  feathers,  green  ;  other  feathers  narrowly 
green  and  then  black,  tipped  with  white,  white  tip  wanting  on  fourth 
feather  ;  under  parts  white,  with  tear-shaped  flecks  of  dusky  green  on 
throat ;  sides  marked  with  black  and  rufous. 

Distribution.  —  The  only  specimens  known  came  from  the  Huachuca 
Mountains,  Arizona. 

GENUS   STELLULA. 

436.  Stellula  calliope  Gould.    CALLIOPE  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Six  middle  tail  feathers  contracted  in  the  middle  and  widened  at  end ; 
adult  male  with  feathers  of  chin  and  throat  narrow,  those  on  the 
outside  of  the  ruff  elongated  ;  base  of  ruff  white. 

Adult  male.  —  Gorget  rose  purplish,  white  bases  giving  effect 
of  streaking  ;  upper  parts  metallic  green  ;  tail  feathers  dusky, 
bases  edged  with  rufous,  tip  wider  than  base  ;  under  parts  white  ; 
sides  tinged  with  brown  and  green.  Adult  female :  upper  parts  bronzy 
green ;  tail  rounded  and  tail  feathers  greenish  gray  basally  with  touch  of 
rufous,  black-banded,  and  tipped  with  white,  except  middle  pair,  which 
are  green,  ending  in  dusky.  Young :  similar,  but  under  parts  washed  with 
rufous,  throat  specked  with  dusky.  Male :  length  2.75-3.00,  wing  1.50- 


242 


HUMMINGBIRDS 


,4 


From  Ridgwtty,  Smithsonian. 
Fig.  320.    Calliope  Hummingbird. 


1.60,  tail  .90-1.10,  exposed  culraen  .55-.5S. 
Female:  length  3.50,  wing  1.75-1.80,  tail 
1.10-1.15,  bill  .58-60. 

Remarks.  —  This  is  the  smallest  humming- 
bird in  the  United  States,  and  may  be  distin- 
guished by  its  size  together  with  the  large 
amount  of  rufous  on  its  under  parts  and  the 
small  amount  on  its  tail. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and 
perhaps  Transition  zone  in  western  moun- 
tains from  British  Columbia  to  southern  Cali- 
fornia, and  east  to  Colorado ;  migrating  as  far 
south  as  mountains  of  Guerrero,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Willow  down,  protectingly  col- 
ored with  bits  of  bark  and  shreds  of  cone, 
placed  on  or  against  a  dry  cone  or  dead 
limb  of  a  pine.  Eggs :  2,  white. 

"The  Calliope  hummingbird  is  the  smallest  of  the  Trochilidm 
found  within  the  United  States.  It  is  a  mountain-loving  species, 
and  during  the  breeding  season  is  rarely  met  with  below  altitudes 
of  4000  feet,  and  much  more  frequently  between  6500  to  8000  feet. 
Its  favorite  resorts  are  the  open  timber  found  about  the  edges  of 
mountain  meadows  and  parks,  and  the  rocky  hillsides  covered  here 
and  there  with  straggling  pines  and  small  aspen  groves."  (Bendire.) 

At*Fort  Sherman,  Idaho,  Dr.  Merrill  says  its  arrival  in  spring  is 
coincident  with  the  blossoming  of  the  wild  hawthorn. 

GENUS    CALOTHORAX. 

437.  Ca-lothorax  Lucifer  (Swains.).     LUCIFER  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Bill  distinctly  curved  ;  tail  forked,  three  outer  feathers  narrow  ;  females 
with  tail  double-rounded  and  deeply  emarginate. 

Adult  male.  —  Bill  long  and  curved ;  gorget  elongated  on  sides,  metallic 
lilac,  or  violet  purple  ;  upper  parts  bronzy 
green ;  forked  tail  with  narrow  outer  f  eath- 
ers  purplish  black,  four  middle  feathers 
green;  median  under  parts  white;  sides 
green  and  rufous.  Adult  female :  similar,  but 
bronzy  green  above,  under  parts  plain  pale 
rufous  ;  tail  less  deeply  forked  than  in  male 
and  feathers  broader,  the  three  outer  ones  ru- 
"^V^^  f otis  at  base  and  white  at  tip.  Male :  length 

H^  8.40-3.60,    wing    1.40-1.60,    tail    1.25-1.35, 

j^  exposed  culmen  .85— .90.  Female  :  wing  1.65- 

H  ira/'  LSO>  tail  1-20-1.25,  exposed  culmen  .75-.90. 

Remarks.  —  The   female    may   be    distin- 
y*  ^^  guished  by  its  curved  bill. 

Distribution.  —  From  western  Texas  and 
southern  Arizona  south  to  the  city  of  Mexico 
and  Puebla. 

Nest.  —  Cotton  or  thistle  down  covered 
with  scales  of  white  lichen.  Eggs  :  2,  white. 


from  Kidgway,  Smithsonian. 

Fig.  321. 
Food.  —  Insects  found  in  flowers  of  agaves  and  other  plants. 


HUMMINGBIRDS  243 

In  the  Chisos  Mountains  in  western  Texas  Mr.  Bailey  found  the 
Lucifer  hummer  with  several  other  species  common  in  June  about  the 
big  agaves,  which  were  then  in  full  flower. 

GENUS   AMIZILIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Nasal  scale  large  and  swollen,  nasal  slit  entirely 
exposed ;  bill  light-colored,  dark-tipped,  broad  and  flattened  at  base ;  tail 
forked  or  eraarginate  ;  sexes  alike. 

KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Upper  tail  coverts  brown tzacatl,  p.  243. 

1'.  Upper  tail  coverts  green chalconota,  p.  243. 

438.  Amizilis  tzacatl  (De  la  Llave).     RIEFFER  HUMMINGBIRD. 
Adults.  —  Whole  body  dark  peacock  green  except  belly,  which  is  brown- 
ish gray ;  wings  purplish  ;  square  tail  and  its  coverts  chestnut,  tail  feathers 
marked  with  bronze.     Young :  similar,  but  xump  tinged  with  rufous  and 
forehead  washed  with  rusty.     Length:  4,  wing  2.00-2.35,  tail  1.45-1.70, 
exposed  culmen  .70-.90. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  valley  of  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  in  Texas  south 
through  Central  America  to  Ecuador. 

Nest.  —  Grass  and  plant  fiber  covered  with  green  moss,  often  in  orange, 
lemon,  or  lime  trees,  4  or  5  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs :  2,  white. 

The  Rieffer  hummingbird  is  a  Central  American  species  apparently 
only  straggling  across  the  Mexican  line  in  Texas. 

439.  Amizilis  cerviniventris  chalconota  (Oberh.).    BUFF- 

BELLIED  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  mainly  light  bronzy  green,  upper  tail  coverts  green ; 
tail  forked,  brown,  feathers  (except  outer)  tipped  with  bronzy  or  violet  ; 
throat  green ;  rest  of  under  parts  buffy  brown.  Length :  4.00-4.50,  wing 
2.15-2.30,  tail  1.50-1.70,  exposed  culmen,  .70-.80. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  lower  Rio  Grande  Valley,  Texas,  south  in  win- 
ter to  eastern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  small  trees,  made  of  shreds  of  vegetable  fiber,  lined 
usually  with  thistle  down ;  covered  with  bits  of  blossoms,  lichen,  and  shreds 
of  bark  fastened  by  spider  web. 

"The  buff -bellied  hummingbird  proves  to  be  an  abundant  summer 
visitor,  and  I  have  nowhere  found  it  so  abundant  as  on  the  military 
reservation  at  Fort  Brown.  Here  it  seems  perfectly  at  home  among 
the  dense  tangled  thickets,  darting  rapidly  among  the  bushes  and 
creeping  vines,  and  is  with  difficulty  obtained.  A  rather  noisy  bird, 
its  shrill  cries  usually  first  attract  one's  attention  to  its  presence." 
(Dr.  Merrill,  quoted  by  Bendire.) 

GENUS    BASILINNA. 

440.1.   Basilinna  leucotis   (VieilL).     WHITE-EARED  HUMMING- 
BIRD. 

Nostrils  exposed  ;  tail  emarginate,  the  feathers  broad  and  rather  stiff ; 
tarsus  densely  feathered. 


244 


HUMMINGBIRDS 


Adult  male.  —  Forehead  and  chin  deep  blue,  throat  and  upper  parts  of 
chest  metallic  emerald  green  ;  a  conspicuous  white  stripe  behind  eye ;  tail 
mainly  blackish.  Adult  female  and  young :  under  parts  gray,  spotted  with 
green ;  head  marked  with  stripes  as  in  male  ;  middle  tail  feathers  entirely 
green  or  bronzy,  the  others  black,  the  outer  pairs  tipped  with  grayish. 
Length:  3.25-3.40,  wing  2.00-2.30, tail  1.30-1.50,  exposed  culmen  .65-68. 

Distribution.  —  From  mountains  of  southeastern  Arizona,  south  to  Nica- 
ragua. 

Food.  —  Insects  found  in  honeysuckles  and  other  flowers. 

In  the  Chiricahua  Mountains  Dr.  Fisher  found  a  white-eared  hum- 
mingbird on  a  bush  of  the  wild  honeysuckle  from  which  the  other 
hummingbirds  of  the  neighborhood  —  the  broad-tailed,  Rivoli,  and 
blue-throated  —  were  regularly  feeding. 


GENUS   IACHE. 

441.  lache  latirostris  (Swains.).    BROAD-BILLED  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Bill  wide  at  base ;  tail  deeply  emarginate  in  male,  less  so  in  female. 
Adult  male:  gorget,  peacock  blue;  rest  of  body  metallic  green,  some- 
times bronzy  on  back  ;  tail  blue  black,  tipped  with  gray.  Adult  female  : 
upper  parts  green,  becoming  gray  on  fore- 
head ;  under  parts  soiled  grayish ;  tail  with 
middle  feathers  and  basal  half  of  outer  green, 
corners  blue  black  tipped  with  gray ;  a  whit- 
ish streak  behind  eye,  with  dusky  streak  below 
it.  Young  male :  similar  to  adult  female, 
but  tail  as  in  male ;  lower  tail  coverts  white, 
feathers  of  upper  parts  edged  with  buff ;  new 
feathers  on  throat  bluish  green,  becoming 
more  bluish  toward  chin.  Young  female : 
similar  to  adult,  but  feathers  of  upper  parts 
bordered  with  pale  buff.  Male :  length  3.50- 
3.75,  wing  2.00-2.20.  tail  1.35-1.50  (forked 
for  .25-35),  bill  .75-.S5.  Female:  length 
3.88-4.10,  wing  2.00-2.15,  tail  1.25-1.30 
(forked  for  .15),  bill  .7S-.85. 

Distribution.  —  From  mountains  of  south- 
ern Arizona  and  southwestern  New  Mexico 
south  to  the  city  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Saddled  to  a  drooping  twig  made  of  bark  and  plant  fibers,  out- 
side decorated  with  strips  of  bark,  fine  stems,  and  lichen. 

In  Arizona  where  Mr.  Stephens  found  the  broad -billed  humming- 
birds they  were  always  near  water,  usually  along  streams  in  high 
mountain  canyons.  They  perched  on  dead  twigs  where  they  could 
command  a  view,  apparently  preferring  sycamores  to  other  trees. 
He  describes  their  notes  as  flat,  differing  from  those  of  other  hum- 
mingbirds. 


Fig.  322. 


COTINGAS  —  FLYCATCHERS  245 


ORDER  PASSBRBS  :  PERCHING  BIRDS. 

(FAMILIES  COTINGID.E,  TYRANNISE,  ALAUDID^E,  CORVID^E, 
STURNID.E,  ICTERID^J,  FRINGILLID^E,  TANAGRIDJE,  HIRUN- 
DINID^E,  AMPELID^E,  LANIIDJE,  VIREONID^E,  MNIOTILTI- 
D^E,  MOTACILLID^J,  ClNCLID^E,  TROGLODYTID^E,  CERTHIID^E, 
PARID^E,  SYLVIID^E,  TURDIDJE,  ETC.) 

FAMILY  COTINGIDJE:   COTINGAS. 

GENUS   PLATYPSARIS. 

441.1.  Platypsaris  albiventris  (Lawr.).    XANTUS  BECARD. 

Nostrils  partly  hidden  by  bristly  feathers  ;  tip  of  bill  slightly  hooked  ; 
second  quill  in  male  small  or  rudimentary. 
Adult  male  :  throat  mainly  rose  pink ;  rest  of 
under  parts  gray,  fading1  to  white  below  ; 
top  of  head  black  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  slate 
gray,  paler  on  forehead  and  back  of,  neck. 
Adult  female  and  young  male  :  top  of  head  slaty  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  brown- 
ish gray  or  grayish  brown  ;  under  parts  shading  from  deep  brown  to 
whitish.  Length :  6.50-7.00,  wing  3.40-3.68,  tail  2.70-3.00,  exposed  cul- 
men,  .5S-.65. 

Distribution.  —  Western  Mexico  ;  recorded  from  Huachuca  Mountains, 
Arizona. 

As  Mr.  W.  W.  Price  found  an  adult  male  becard  in  the  Huachuca 
Mountains,  Arizona,  in  breeding  plumage,  apparently  accompanied 
by  its  mate,  the  interesting  birds  will  doubtless  be  found  breeding  in 
the  mountains  of  southern  Arizona. 

FAMILY  TYRANNID-SJ:    TYRANT  FLYCATCHERS. 

KEY  TO   GENERA. 

1.  Tail  edged  or  tipped  with  white. 

2.  Tail  deeply  forked Muscivora,  p.  246. 

2'.  Tail  not  forked Tyrannus,  p.  247. 

1'.  Tail  not  edged  or  tipped  with  white. 

2.  Upper  mandible  curved  on  both  edges    ....  Ornithion,  p.  265. 
2 '.Upper  mandible  straight  for  most  of  its  length. 

3.  Tail  marked  with  rufous  or  rusty  (except  sometimes   Myiarchus 

lawrencei  olivascens). 

4.  Breast  ash  gray  in  contrast  to  yellow  belly.  Myiarchus,  p.  251. 
4'.  Breast  yellow  like  belly ;  throat  white. 

5.  Streaked Myiodynastes,  p.  250. 

5'.  Not  streaked Fitangus,  p.  250. 

3' .  Tail  not  marked  with  rufous  or  rusty. 

4.  Wing  at  least  six  times  as  long  as  tarsus  .     .  Contopus,  p.  256. 
4'.  Wing  not  more  than  five  times  as  long  as  tarsus. 

5.  Sexes  different,   male    scarlet,    females   and    young    grayish 
brown Fyrocephalus,p.  264. 


246  FLYCATCHERS 

5  .  Sexes  similar,  largely  olivaceous,  brown,  or  black. 

6.  Wing  more  than  3.25 ,    .  Sayornis,  p.  254. 

6'.  Wing  less  than  3.25 Empidonax,  p.  259. 

GENUS   MUSCIVORA. 

General  Characters.  —  Outer  primary  cut  out ;  tail  deeply  forked  ;  bill 
flattish,  notched,  and  hooked  ;  feet  small  and  weak. 

KEY  TO  SPECIES. 

1.  3  or  4  primaries  emarginate tyrannus,  p.  246. 

1'.  Only  1  primary  emarginate forficata,  p.  246. 

[442.]  'Muscivora  tyrannus  (Linn.).    FORK-TAILED  FLYCATCHER. 

Adult  male.  —  Tail  black,  long,  and  forked,  outer  feathers  edged  with 
white  ;  under  parts  pure  white  ;  head  black,  with  concealed  yellow  patch  ; 
back  gray  ;  wings  blackish  brown,  with  grayish  edgings.  Adult  female  : 
similar,  but  smaller,  tail  shorter,  and  yellow  crown  patch  restricted. 
Young :  like  adults,  but  tail  shorter,  sometimes  scarcely  forked,  colors 
duller,  wing  coverts  bordered  with  rusty,  and  crown  patch  absent.  Male : 
length  12.00-14.50,  wing  4.10-4.75,  tail  9-10. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Mexico  south  through  Central  America 
and  most  of  South  America  ;  accidental  in  the  United  States  (Mississippi, 
Kentucky,  New  Jersey,  and  southern  California). 

Nest.  —  Of  soft  materials,  often  almost  entirely  wool,  lined  with  thistle 
down,  which  is  cemented  with  gum,  making  a  hard  smooth  bottom.  Eggs : 
4,  cream  color,  spotted  chiefly  at  the  larger  end  with  chocolate. 

Food.  —  Aerial  insects  ;  also  elderberries  and  other  small  fruits. 

The  fork-tailed  flycatcher  is  only  an  accidental  straggler  in  the 
United  States. 

443.  Muscivora  forficata  (Gmel).  SCISSOR-TAILED  FLYCATCH- 
ER. 

Adult  male  :  Tail  forked,  white,  tipped  with  black  ;  body  ash  gray,  whiter 
on  throat ;  wings  blackish ;  under  wing  coverts,  axillars,  and  tail  coverts 
salmon  ;  head  with  concealed  red  spot  and  upper  parts  marked  with  red. 
Adult  female:  similar,  but  smaller;  tail  shorter  and  colors  duller.  Young: 
like  adult  female,  but  crown  patch  wanting.  Male:  length  12-15,  wing 
4.40-5.15,  tail  7-10. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  southwestern  Mis- 
souri to  western  Texas  ;  migrates  to  Costa  Rica ;  straggling  rarely  to  Mani- 
toba and  Hudson  Bay  (York  Factory). 

Nest.  —  Generally  5  to  15  feet  from  the  ground,  in  open  situations, 
preferably  mesquite,  but  also  other  trees  and  thorny  bushes;  made 
usually  of  fine  rootlets  and  plant  stems  lined  with  plant  fibers,  wool,  and 
feathers  ;  but  sometimes  of  gray  moss,  cotton,  rags,  and  seaweed.  Eggs  : 
usually  5,  generally  clear  white,  marked  with  browns  and  purples. 

Food.  —  Moths,  butterflies,  beetles,  grasshoppers,  locusts,  crickets,  cot- 
ton-worms, and  some  berries. 

In  visiting  the  southwestern  prairie  country  the  scissor-tail  is  one 
of  the  first  new  birds  you  notice.  Discovering  him  first  perched  on 
the  chaparral  you  are  struck  by  his  long  white  tail  and  glistening 
black,  white,  and  salmon  plumage.  In  perching,  the  tail  is  closed 


SCISSOR-TAILED   FLYCATCHER 


FLYCATCHERS  247 

thin,  and  the  black  of  the  wings  contrasts  well  with  the  bright  sal- 
mon sides.  He  sits  quietly  like  any  every-day  bird,  giving  only  an 
occasional  bee-bird  like  note,  till  suddenly  up  he  darts  into  the  air, 
and  with  delighted  wonder  you  watch  his  odd  figure  and  odder 
gyrations  in  the  sky. 

One  of  his  favorite  performances  is  to  fly  up  and,  with  rattling 
wings,  execute  an  aerial  seesaw,  a  line  of  sharp-angled  VWWVV's, 
helping  himself  at  the  short  turns  by  rapidly  opening  and  shutting 
his  long  white  scissors.  As  he  goes  up  and  down  he  utters  all  the 
while  a  penetrating  scream,  ka-quee -ka-quee -ka-quee -ka-quee -ka- 
quee  .  the  emphasis  being  given  each  time  at  the  top  of  the  ascending 
line. 

Frequently  when  he  is  passing  along  with  the  even  flight  of  a 
sober-minded  crow  and  you  are  quietly  admiring  the  salmon  lining 
of  his  wings,  he  shoots  rattling  into  the  air,  and  as  you  stare 
after  him,  drops  back  as  suddenly  as  he  rose.  He  does  this  appar- 
ently because  the  spirit  moves  him,  as  a  boy  slings  a  stone  at  the 
sky,  but  fervor  is  added  by  the  appearance  of  a  rival  or  an  enemy, 
for  he  is  much  like  a  Tyrannus  in  his  masterful  way  of  controlling 
his  landscape.  He  will  attack  caracaras  and  white-necked  ravens, 
lighting  on  their  backs  and  giving  them  vicious  blows  while  scream- 
ing in  their  ears. 

GENUS   TYRANNUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Adults  with  a  bright-colored  concealed  crown 
patch ;  feet  small  and  weak  ;  tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe  with 
claw  ;  bill  notched  and  hooked,  broad  at  base,  its  width  at  nostrils  much 
more  than  half  the  distance  from  nostril  to  tip ;  adults  with  outer  quills 
abruptly  narrowed  at  tip. 

KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Under  parts  white tyrannus,  p.  247. 

1'.  Under  parts  yellow. 
2.  Tail  even. 

3.  Primaries  with  gradually  narrowed  tips     .     .    verticalis,  p.  248. 

3'.  Primaries  with  abruptly  narrowed  tips      .     .  vociferans,  p.  249. 

2'.  Tail  decidedly  emarginate couchii,  p.  248. 

444.  Tyrannus  tyrannus  (Linn.}.    KINGBIRD. 

Adults.  —  Under  parts  and  band  on  end  of  tail  pure  white  ;  head  and  tail 
black ;  rest  of  upper  parts  slate  gray ;  middle  of  crown  with  a  concealed 
patch  of  orange  red.  Young :  crown  patch  wanting  and  colors  duller,  wing 
and  tail  coverts  edged  with  brownish,  tail  band  and  chest  tinged  with 
brownish.  Length:  8-9,  wing  4.45-4.75,  tail  3.40-3.75,  bill  from  nostril 
.50-.  57. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Sonoran  zones  of  temperate 
North  America  from  the  British  Provinces  chiefly  east  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains  to  the  southern  border  of  the  United  States.  Not  recorded 
from  Arizona.  Migrates  to  middle  and  South  America. 


248 


FLYCATCHERS 


From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept.  of 
Agriculture. 

Fig.  324.     Kingbird. 


Nest.  —  Made  largely  of  weed  stems,  twine,  wool,  or  Spanish  moss,  lined 
with  grass,  rootlets,  and  horsehair,  placed  in  bushes  or  trees  4  to  40  feet 

from  the  ground.  Egys  :  3  or  4,  from 
white  to  rose  pink,  spotted  or  blotched 
with  brown  or  lavender. 

Food.  —  Principally  grasshoppers, 
crickets,  butterflies,  weevils,  wild  bees, 
wasps,  caterpillars,  and  gadflies. 

In  general  habits  the  eastern  king- 
bird resembles  the  western  members 
of  the  Tyrannus  family,  though  more 
commonly  a  bird  of  the  garden  and 
orchard. 

He  has  been  accused  of  eating 
honey-bees,  but  in  the  stomach  ex- 
aminations made  by  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture,  of  218  only 
14  contained  any  trace  of  honey- 
bees, and  nearly  all  these  were  drones.  Ninety  per  cent,  of  his  food 
consists  of  insects,  mostly  injurious  kinds. 

446.  Tyrannus  melancholicus  couchii  (Baird).  COUCH  KING- 

BIRD. 

Adult  male.  —  Belly  brilliant  yellow,  fading  through  greenish  gray  to 
white  on  throat  and  under  tail  coverts ;  upper  parts  gray  washed  with 
green ;  wings  and  tail  brownish  edged  with  whitish,  tail  notched ;  concealed 
orange  patch  on  head.  Adult  female  :  similar,  but  smaller,  tail  less  notched 
and  crown  patch  restricted.  Young  :  like  female,  but  without  crown  patch, 
yellow  duller,  and  wing  coverts  bordered  with  buffy.  Length  :  (male)  9- 
10,  wing  4.40-5.00,  tail  3.75-4.40. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  valley  of  the  lower  Rio  Grande  in  Texas  south 
to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Sennett,  Spanish  moss  and  twigs,  lined  with 
rootlets  ;  placed  near  the  end  of  a  horizontal  limb  on  a  large  elm.  Eggs  : 
3  or  4,  creamy  pink,  blotched  with  brown  and  purple  over  whole  surface, 
or  in  wreath  around  larger  end. 

447.  Tyrannus  verticalis  Say.    ARKANSAS  KINGBIRD. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  and  breast  light  ash  gray ;  throat  paler ;  belly 
lemon  yellow  ;  tail  black,  outer  web  of  outer  feather 
abruptly  white  ;  wings  brown,  end  of  long  quills  with 
gradually  narrowed  points ;  concealed  crown  patch 
red.  Adult  female:  similar,  but  tips  of  outer  quills 
less  narrowed  and  crown  patch  restricted.  Young  : 
like  adults,  but  crown  patch  wanting  and  colors 
duller,  wing  coverts  bordered  with  buffy.  Length  : 


Fig.  325. 


8.00-9.50,  wing  4.75-5.25,  tail  3.65-4.00,  bill  from  nostril  .50-.55. 

Remarks.  —  Verticalis,  though  very  similar  to  vofciferans,  can  be  distin- 
guished in  the  field  by  the  abruptly  white  and  sharply  contrasting  outer 
edge  of  the  black  tail,  and  in  the  hand  by  the  attenuated  wing  feathers. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  of  west- 
ern United  States  from  Nebraska  and  Kansas  to  the  Pacific;  and  from 


i.  ARKANSAS   KINGBIRD    2.  CASSIN   KINGBIRD 


FLYCATCHERS  249 

Assinlboia  and  British  Columbia  south  through  Lower  California  ;  migrates 
through  western  Mexico  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  trees  usually  not  far  from  the  ground,  made  of 
twigs,  weed  stems,  plant  fibers,  rootlets,  wool,  cocoons,  hair,  feathers, 
string,  thistle  down,  and  paper.  Eggs:  usually  4,  similar  to  those  of  Tyran- 
nus  tyrannus. 

Food.  —  Mainly  grasshoppers,  with  moths,  butterflies,  flies,  winged  ants, 
caterpillars,  and  large  black  crickets. 

The  Arkansas  kingbird  is  a  masterful,  positive  character,  and  when 
you  come  into  his  neighborhood  you  are  very  likely  to  know  it,  for 
he  seems  to  be  always  screaming  and  scrimmaging.  If  he  is  not  over- 
head twisting  and  turning  with  wings  open  and  square  tail  spread 
so  wide  that  it  shows  the  white  lines  that  border  it,  he  is  climbing 
up  the  air  claw  to  claw  with  a  rival,  falling  to  ground  clinched  with 
him,  or  dashing  after  a  hawk,  screaming  in  thin  falsetto  like  a  scis- 
sor-tail  flycatcher.  A  passing  enemy  is  allowed  no  time  to  loiter 
but  driven  from  the  field  with  impetuous  onslaught  and  clang  of 
trumpets.  Be  he  crow,  hawk,  or  owl,  he  is  escorted  to  a  safe  dis- 
tance, sometimes  actually  ridden  by  the  angry  kingbird,  who,  like 
the  scissor-tail,  enforces  his  screams  with  sharp  pecks  on  the  back. 

When  there  is  no  one  within  scrapping  distance  he  may  be  seen 
perching  on  a  meadow  fence  or  telegraph  wire,  for  he  is  a  bird  of 
the  open  country.  When  perched  he  is  on  the  lookout  for  insects, 
and  dashes  out  for  one  to  soar  back  on  outspread  wings  and  tail, 
shrieking  triumphantly  as  he  comes.  His  notes  have  the  thin  high 
pitch  and  something  of  the  emphasis  and  iteration  of  the  coyote. 

448.  Tyrannus  vociferans  Swains.    CASSIN  KINGBIRD. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  and  breast  dark  gray,  chin  abruptly  white  ;  belly 
lemon  yellow  ;  tail  dull  black  indistinctly 
tipped  with  grayish,  outer  web  of  outer  feather 
indistinctly  edged  with  grayish  ;  wing  with  tips 
of  longest  primaries  abruptly  cut  out  ;  crown  with 
concealed  red  patch.  Young  :  duller,  wing 
coverts  edged  with  rusty,  crown  patch  wanting. 


326  Length:  8.75-9.00,  wing  5.00-5.40,  tail  3.70- 

4.20,  bill  from  nostril  .55-.60. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  irregularly  in  Transition,  but  chiefly  in  Upper 
and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  the  eastern  slopes  of  the  Rocky  Mountains 
to  southern  Wyoming,  western  Texas,  New  Mexico,  and  Arizona,  and  from 
Oregon  south  to  L*>wer  California  and  the  mountains  bordering  the  Mexi- 
can tablelands  ;  straying  south  to  Costa  Rica. 

Nest.  —  Bulky,  of  similar  materials  to  that  of  verticalis,  placed  generally 
20  to  40  feet  from  the  ground,  near  the  end  of  a  horizontal  limb  in  syca- 
more, cottonwood,  or  other  tree.  Eggs  :  2  to  5,  similar  to  those  of  Tyran- 
nus tyrannus. 

Food.  —  Mainly  insects,  including  grasshoppers,  locusts,  and  caterpillars. 

The  Cassin  kingbird,  Major  Bendire  says,  is  neither  as  noisy  nor  as 
quarrelsome  as  the  Arkansas.  Though  it  nests  in  the  valleys  with 


250  FLYCATCHERS 

the  Arkansas,  it  also  breeds  at  higher  altitudes,  and  is,  apparently, 
more  a  bird  of  the  mountains. 

GENUS   PITANGUS. 

449.  Pitangus  derbianus  (Kaup).    DERBY  FLYCATCHER.! 

Bill  as  long-  as  head,  straight,  narrow ;  wings  rounded ;  tail  shorter 
than  wings,  nearly  even ;  tarsus  about  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw ; 
under  parts,  except  for  white  throat,  and  including  under  wing  coverts, 
hright  sulphur  yellow ;  top  and  sides  of  head  black,  separated  by  white 
line  which  incloses  black  crown ;  crown  erectile,  with  partly  concealed 
yellow  center ;  rest  of  upper  parts  brown,  rufous  on  wings  and  tail. 
Length:  10-11,  wing  4.90-5.10,  tail  3.90-4.00,  exposed  culmen  1.15-1.25. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Central  America  to  the  lower  Rio  Grande 
Valley  in  Texas ;  migrates  to  northern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  Dome-shaped,  with  entrance  on  the  side,  composed  of  such 
coarse  materials  as  straw  and  lichens ;  placed  usually  on  forks  of  branches 
or  thorny  trees,  25  or  30  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  :  generally  5,  light 
cream  color  with  small  reddish  specks. 

Food.  —  Mainly  insects,  but  also  small  fish  —  minnows. 

The  Derby  flycatcher  is  rather  a  rare  summer  visitor  in  the  lower 
Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas. 

GENUS  MYIODYNASTES. 

451.  Myiodynastes  luteiventris  Scl.  SULPHUR-BELLIED  FLY- 
CATCHER. 

Bill  turgid,  broader  than  high  at  nostrils  ;  wings  long  and  pointed ; 
tail  shorter  than  wings,  nearly  even  ;  feet  small  and  weak.  Adults :  broad 
blackish  A  from  bill  inclosing  white  throat  patch  ;  rest  of  under  parts  sul- 
phur yellow,  streaked  along  sides  ;  upper  parts  brownish,  streaked  with  black  ; 
head  with  concealed  yellow  crown  patch  and  white  or  yellowish  bands 
over  eye  and  along  sides  of  throat ;  rump  and  tail  bright  rufous  ;  bill  very 
broad.  Young :  without  crown  patch.  Length :  7.75-8.00,  wing  4.25-4.60, 
tail  3.30-3.60,  bill  .80-.90. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  mountains  of  southern  New  Mexico  and  Ari- 
zona south  to  Panama. 

Nest.  —  25  to  50  feet  from  the  ground,  a  hole  in  a  sycamore,  lined 
thickly  with  stems  of  walnut  leaves.  Eggs :  3,  creamy  buff,  profusely 
blotched,  principally  around  the  larger  end,  with  purple  and  reddish 
brown. 

Mr.  Lusk,  who  found  the  sulphur-bellied  flycatcher  in  Arizona, 
states  that  they  frequent  streams  bordered  with  large  trees.  "  The 
width  and  size  of  their  bills,  together  with  their  short  necks,"  he 
says,  "  gives  them  a  peculiar  appearance  even  at  a  distance."  Mr. 
O.  W.  Howard  found  the  birds  very  quiet  during  the  breeding  sea- 
son, but  bold  and  noisy  afterwards.  He  compares  their  notes  to  the 
squeaking  of  a  wheelbarrow. 

1  [450.]  Myiozetetes  similis  supercttiosus  (Bonap.).  GIRAUD  FLYCATCHER.  This  species 
is  omitted  from  doubt  of  Giraud's  Texas  record. 


FLYCATCHERS 


251 


Fig.  327.    Flycatqhers. 

1.  Crested  Flycatcher.    2.  Wood  Pewee.    3.  Phcebe.    4.  Kingbird.    5.  Least 
Flycatcher. 

GENUS    MYIARCHUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  slightly  crested  by  length- 
ened erectile  feathers  ;  primaries  cut  out ;  tarsus  about 
length  of  middle  toe  with  claw. 


KEY  TO  ADULTS. 


Fig.  328. 


1.  Wing  2.90-3.25  ;  inner  webs  of  tail  feathers  chiefly  dark  brown.    Ari- 
zona . olivascens,  p.  253. 

1'.  Wing  3.40-3.60 ;  inner  webs  of  tail  feathers  chiefly  rufous. 
2.  Outer  tail  feather  with  uniform  dark  stripe  along  inner  web. 
3.  Smaller.    Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley,  Texas  .  mexicaiius,  p.  252. 


252  FLYCATCHERS 

3'.  Larger.    Southern  Arizona magister,  p.  252. 

2'.  Outer  tail  feather  without  uniform  dark  stripe  along-  inner  web. 
3.  Throat  and  chest  dark  ash  gray.     Eastern  United  States. 

crinitus,  p.  252. 
3'.  Throat  and  chest  pale  ash  gray,  throat  sometimes  whitish. 

4.  Outer  tail  feather  with  outer  web  whitish  and  inner  web  dusky 

at  tip.     Colorado  to  Pacific     ....     cinerascens,  p.  253. 

4'.  Outer  tail  feather  without  white  edge  or  dusky  tip.     Southern 

Arizona nuttingi,  p.  253. 

452.  Myiarchus  crinitus  (Linn.).     CRESTED  FLYCATCHER. 

Adults.  —  Throat  and  breast  dark  ash  gray ;  rest  of  under  parts  bright 
sulphur  yellow ;  upper  parts  olive  ;  wings  with  two  whitish  bars,  primaries 
edged  with  rufous  and  tertials  with  yellowish  ;  tail  with  middle  feathers 
dusky  brown,  other  feathers  with  inner  webs  chiefly  reddish  brown ;  outer 
feather  with  broad  dusky  stripe  confined  to  end,  if  present  at  all.  Young : 
tail  with  more  of  reddish  brown  than  in  adult.  Length  :  8.50-9.00,  wing 
3.90-4.40,  tail  3.50-4.20,  bill  from  nostril  .55-.6S,  tarsus  .78-82. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada,  west  to 
Manitoba,  the  Plains,  and  southwestern  Texas ;  migrates  to  Costa  Rica, 
Panama,  and  Colombia. 

Nest.  —  An  old  woodpecker  hole  or  natural  cavity  in  a  tree  or  stump, 
lining  varying  in  bulk  and  composition  but  generally  containing  snake 
skin.  Eggs  :  4  to  8,  creamy  to  deep  buff,  overlaid  with  irregular  blotches 
and  longitudinal  pen  lines  in  shades  of  brown  and  purple. 

Food.  —  Insects,  such  as  beetles,  flies,  grasshoppers,  butterflies,  and  lar- 
vae, varied  with  berries. 

453-  Myiarchus  mexicanus  (Kaup).  MEXICAN  CRESTED  FLY- 
CATCHER. 

Adults  :  Throat  and  breast  light  ash  gray,  rest  of  under  parts  pale  sul- 
phur yellow  ;  upper  parts  olive,  browner  on  head  ;  wings  with  two  white 
bars  ;  primaries  edged  with  reddish  brown ;  tail  with  middle  feathers 
dusky  brown,  outer  tail  feather  with  a  wide  dusky  streak  of  uniform  width 
along  inner  side  of  shaft.  Young  :  with  more  rufous  on  tail  than  in  adult. 
Length :  8.50-9.00,  wing  3.80-4.20,  tail  3.80-4.25,  bill  from  nostril  .62-.7S, 
tarsus  .82-.92. 

Distribution.  —  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  south  to  Guatemala  and  Sal- 
vador. 

Nest.  —  In  natural  cavities  or  woodpecker  holes  in  stumps,  trees,  and 
telegraph  poles,  made  of  felted  strips  of  bark,  hair,  feathers,  wool,  and 
sometimes  snake  skin.  Eggs  :  4  to  6,  like  those  of  M.  crinitus. 

453a.  M.  m.  magister  Eidgw.    ARIZONA  CRESTED  FLYCATCHER. 

Like  M.  mexicanus,  but  larger.  Length :  9.40-10.00,  wing  4.04-4.60.  tail 
4.10-4.60,  bill  from  nostril  .68-.S2,  tarsus  .97-1.02. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds*  from  southern  Arizona  (and  southwestern  New 
Mexico  ?)  to  western  Mexico  ;  migrates  to  Tehuantepec,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  So  far  as  known,  in  holes  in  giant  cactus  and  sycamores,  8  to  25 
feet  from  the  ground,  lined  with  hair  and  bits  of  snake  and  lizard  skin. 
Eggs :  3  to  5,  like  those  of  M.  crinitus. 

Major  Bendire  writes:  "The  Arizona  crested  flycatcher  is  the 
largest  representative  of  the  genus  Myiarchus  found  within  our 
borders,  and  its  breeding  range  seems  to  be  confined  mainly  to 


ASH-THROATED  FLYCATCHER 


FLYCATCHERS  253 

the  giant  cactus  belt  of  southern  Arizona,  where  it  appears  to  be  a 
rather  irregular  summer  resident,  not  uncommon  in  some  seasons 
and  rare  in  others." 

Mr.  Stephens  found  it  frequenting  low  mesquites,  and  reports  that 
it  was  '  tame  and  rather  noisy,  having  a  variety  of  loud  calls,  some 
.  .  .  almost  thrasher-like.' 

454.  Myiarchus  cinerascens  (Lawr.).  ASH-THROATED  FLY- 
CATCHER. 

Adults.  —  Throat  and  chest  pale  ashy,  sometimes  almost  white  on 
throat ;  belly  pale  sulphur  yellow  ;  upper  parts  grayish  brown ;  wings 
with  two  white  bars,  quills  edged  with  reddish  brown,  tertials  edged  with 
white  ;  tail  with  middle  feathers  dusky  brown,  the  rest  chiefly  brown  on 
inner  webs  ;  outer  tail  feather  with  inner  web  dusky  at  lip,  outer  web  dis- 
tinctly whitish.  Young :  tail  feathers  rufous,  with  dark  median  stripe. 
Length :  8.00-8.50,  wing  3.80-4.25,  tail  3.65-4.20,  bill  from  nostril  .52-.60, 
tarsus  .S8-.95. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  in  the  western 
United  States  from  northern  Oregon  to  Mexico,  and  east  to  Colorado  and 
southwestern  Texas  ;  migrates  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  Usually  less  than  20  feet  from  the  ground  in  knot-holes  of 
mesquite,  giant  cactus,  and  trees,  in  cavities  of  stumps,  woodpecker  holes, 
and  occasionally  behind  pieces  of  bark  ;  lined  with  rootlets,  grass,  dry 
horse  manure,  hair,  fur,  and  occasionally  snake  skins.  Eggs :  3  to  6, 
creamy  to  pinkish  buff,  covered  with  longitudinal  streaks  and  hair  lines  of 
purple. 

Food.  —  Mainly  ants,  grasshoppers,  caterpillars,  beetles,  butterflies,  flies, 
moths,  and  occasionally  berries,  especially  mistletoe. 

The  noisy  bickering  bee-bird  is  quite  put  to  shame  by  the  digni- 
fied demeanor  of  the  ash-throated  flycatcher,  who  with  raised  crest 
and  erect  carriage  goes  about  his  business  in  a  quiet,  self-contained 
manner. 

He  is  a  common  resident  of  the  desert  regions  of  southern  Cali- 
fornia, Nevada,  Utah,  and  northern  Arizona,  and  where  the  desert 
mountains  do  not  afford  water  he  sometimes  breeds  as  much  as  five 
miles  away  from  it,  needing  less  water,  perhaps,  because  his  insect 
food  affords  a  good  deal  of  liquid. 

454a.  M.  c.  nuttingi  (Bidgw.).    NUTTING  FLYCATCHER. 

Similar  to  M.  cinerascens,  but  outer  tail  feather  without  either  distinctly 
white  outer  web  or  dusky  tip  to  inner  web ;  tail  never  decidedly  shorter 
than  wing  ;  upper  tail  coverts  not  distinctly  rusty.  Wing :  3.40-3.70,  tail 
3.35-3.80,  bill  from  nostril  .40-.56,  tarsus  .SO-.88. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  south  to  Costa  Rica. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Dr.  Fisher,  4  feet  from  the  ground  in  an  old 
woodpecker  hole  in  a  giant  cactus,  containing  4  eggs,  creamy,  covered 
with  longitudinal  purple  streaks  and  hair  lines. 

4 55 a.  Myiarchus  lawrencei  olivascens  Eidgw.   OLIVACEOUS 

FLYCATCHER. 
Adults.  —  Head  and  back  olive  brown  ;  wing  and  tail  feathers  usually 


254  FLYCATCHERS 

without  distinct  rusty  edging's  and  inner  webs  of  tail  feathers  usually  with- 
out rusty  edgings.  Length  :  7.00-7.30,  wing  2.90-3.25,  tail  3.00-3.25,  bill 
from  nostril  .4S-.55,  tarsus  .70-.75. 

Remarks.  —  The  olive  coloration  is  enough  to  distinguish  this  fly- 
catcher. 

Distribution.  '• —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  of  Arizona  and  western 
Mexico  ;  casual  to  Fort  Lyon,  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  holes  in  trees,  15  to  40  feet  from  the  ground,  made, 
in  two  recorded  cases,  of  fur  and  feathers.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  curiously 
marked  with  fine  lines  and  intricate  pencillings  of  black  and  various 
shades  of  purplish  brown  over  buffy  or  creamy  ground. 

The  olivaceous  flycatcher,  which  is  the  smallest  of  the  United 
States  species  of  Myiarchus,  lives  in  brushy  canyons  in  the  moun- 
tains of  southern  Arizona,  frequenting  the  banks  of  streams,  where 
it  perches  on  dead  limbs  looking  for  insects.  The  only  note  heard 
by  Mr.  Stephens,  who  discovered  it,  was  a  '  mournful  peeur. ' 

GENUS   SAYORNIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  more  than  3.25,  but  not  more  than  five 
times  as  long  as  tarsus  ;  tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw  ;  tail 
emarginate. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Tail  olive  gray.     Colorado  to  Atlantic phcebe,  p.  254. 

1'.  Tail  black. 

2.  Under  parts  partly  brown saya,  p.  255. 

2'.  Under  parts  partly  black. 

3.  Under  tail  coverts  streaked  with  black  .     .     .     nigricans,  p.  255. 
3'.  Under  tail  coverts  pure  white semiatra,  p.  256. 

456.  Sayornis  phoebe  (Lath.).    PH<EBE. 

Upper  parts  olive  gray,  darker  on  head  ;  under  parts  whitish,  tinged 

below  with  pale  yellowish,  sides  of 
breast  with  olive  gray.  Length :  6.25- 
7.00,  wing  3.25-3.55,  tail  3.00-3.40. 
*  Distribution.  —  Breeds  chiefly  in  Tran- 
sition and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  in  east- 
ern North  America,  west  to  Colo- 
rado, south  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico : 
winters  from  the  southern  Atlantic  and 
Gulf  states  to  Mexico  and  Cuba ;  re- 
corded from  Los  Angeles  Co.,  Califor- 
nia, in  winter. 

Nest.  —  A  bulky  felted  mass,  made 
largely  of  mosses  and  lined  with  feath- 
ers ;  attached  to  rocks,  bridges,  and 
beams  of  buildings.  Eggs :  3  to  8, 

FromBiologi^urvey,U.S.Dept.o£        ^.^     sometimes    finely    but  sparsely 

Fig.  329.  speckled     around     larger    end     with 

brownish. 
Food.  —  Chiefly  injurious  insects. 

The  habits  of  the  pho3be  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  black 


FLYCATCHERS  255 

phcebe,  but  the  names  '  house '  and  '  barn '  pewee  apply  better  to  it, 
and  more  popular  affection  attaches  to  this  confiding  bird  than  to  its 
handsome  western  relative.  It  builds  under  bridges  and  culverts 
most  frequently,  but  barns  and  sheds,  piazza  crotches,  and  window 
sills  all  offer  it  congenial  homes. 

Its  nest,  found  year  after  year  in  the  same  place  or  only  a  rafter 
away,  though  big  and  loosely  put  together,  seems  a  marvel  of 
beauty  with  its  touches  of  green  moss.  The  bird  herself  with  her 
plain  voice,  jerky  motions,  and  abrupt  manners  but  homely  virtues 
comes  to  hold  a  place  in  our  affections  that  no  bickering,  domineer- 
ing wciferam  could  ever  hope  to  win. 

457.  Sayornis  say  a  (Bonap.).    SAY  PHCEBE. 

Adults.  —  Anterior  lower  parts  grayish,  posterior  tawny  brownish ;  upper 
parts  dark  gray,  wing  quills  and  tail  black.  Young  :  like  adults,  but  wing 
coverts  tipped  with  brown.  Length :  7.50-8.05,  wing  3.90-4.25,  tail  3.35- 
3.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Arctic  Circle  in  Alaska  south  to  Lower 
California,  and  from  western  Nebraska  and  Kansas  west  to  the  Pacific  ; 
migrates  to  Oaxaca,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Under  bridges,  about  barns  and  houses,  in  caves,  or  wells,  and 
under  shelves  of  cliffs ;  made  of  materials  such  as  weed  stems,  grasses, 
moss,  wool,  hair,  cocoons,  and  feathers.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  white,  sometimes 
finely  dotted  with  reddish  brown  about  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  crickets,  weevils,  beetles,  flies,  moths,  butterflies, 
and  other  insects. 

The  Say  flycatcher  of  the  brown  belly  and  black  tail  is  the  com- 
monest of  the  western  flycatchers,  nesting  not  only  about  every  cattle 
ranch,  stage  station,  and  mining  camp,  but  at  the  Arctic  Circle  and 
on  the  deserts  of  the  southwestern  United  States,  where  it  builds  in 
caves  with  wood  rats  and  on  cliffs  with  the  prairie  falcon. 

In  rocky  canyons  it  may  be  seen  perched  on  boulders  darting  out 
after  passing  insects.  On  the  Plains,  where  it  flits  silently  from  bush 
to  bush,  at  a  distance  its  black  tail  and  dull  colors  would  often  lead 
you  to  mistake  it  for  the  omnipresent  AmpMspiza  but  for  its  plain- 
tive phee-eur.  Besides  this  note,  during  the  nesting  season  it  is  said 
to  have  a  plaintive  twittering  warble. 

Say  a  is  a  true  flycatcher,  and  Major  Bendire  has  seen  it  catch  good- 
sized  grasshoppers  on  the  wing.  He  calls  attention  to  its  power, 
which  many  of  the  flycatchers  share  with  the  hawks  and  owls,  of 
ejecting  indigestible  parts  of  its  food  in  the  form  of  pellets. 

458.  Sayornis  nigricans  (Swains.).    BLACK  PHCEBE. 

Adults.  —  Black,  except  for  white  belly,  outer  web  of  outer  tail  feathers, 
edges  of  inner  secondaries,  and  under  tail  coverts  which  are  white  striped 
with  dusky.  Young :.  head  and  neck  sooty  black  ;  wing  bands  and  bend  of 
wing  rusty  ;  back,  rump,  and  edges  of  black  on  breast  washed  with  brown- 
ish. Length  :  6.25-7.00,  wing  3.55-3.80,  tail  3.45-3.75. 


256  FLYCATCHERS 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  Texas  to  eastern 
Arizona  and  south  through  Mexico,  except  Yucatan  and  the  Pacific  coast 
north  of  Coliraa. 

Nest.  —  A  wall  pocket  made  of  small  pellets  of  mud  mixed  with  dried 
grass,  weed  fibers,  and  hair,  placed  in  wells  and  on  sides  of  buildings  and 
cliffs.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  white,  or  finely  dotted  with  reddish  brown  around 
the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  wild  berries. 

The  sharply  contrasted  black  and  white  plumage  of  the  black 
phcebe  of  whichever  form  make  him  the  handsomest  of  the  common 
flycatchers.  He  is  not  averse  to  civilization  and  may  be  met  com- 
monly just  off  the  highways  usually  near  water.  I  have  found  him 
in  a  San  Francisco  cemetery,  in  Sutro  Heights  Park,  in  Pasadena, 
bathing  in  a  reservoir  beside  the  street,  and  in  Santa  Cruz  perched 
on  the  tip  of  a  century  plant  leaf  in  front  of  a  hotel.  He  has  all  the 
flycatcher  mannerisms,  and  as  he  sits  watching  for  insects  jets  his 
tail  and  quivers  his  wings  at  his  sides,  darts  out  with  a  liquid  hip',  a 
rising  kee-ree',  and  falling  kee-wray',  snaps  up  an  insect,  and  settles 
back  again  on  his  perch. 

At  Twin  Oaks,  California,  I  found  the  phoebes  nesting  in  a  deserted 
well  and  also  inside  a  whitewashed  chicken  house,  and  was  told  of 
their  having  built  under  the  eaves  of  a  kitchen,  the  pair  getting 
their  meals  about  the  fly  screens  before  the  window.  Such  centers  of 
civilization  are  not  always  chosen  by  them,  however,  and  I  have 
found  them  in  the  foothills  of  the  Sierra  and  in  a  narrow  lonely 
canyon  of  the  mountains  of  southern  California,  where  their  wall- 
pocket  nest  was  fastened  against  a  cliff  behind  a  hanging  vine. 

45 8a.  S.  n.  semiatra  (Vigors).     WESTERN  BLACK 

PHOSBE. 

Similar  to  S.  nigricans  but  under  tail  coverts  pure 
white. 

Distribution.  —  Mainly  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  on  the 
Pacific  coast,  from  Oregon  to  Colima,  Mexico ;  also  most 
of  Arizona. 

Food.  —  Largely  winged  insects. 

Fig'  m  GENUS  CONTOPUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Feet  extremely  small ;  wing  at  least  six  times  as 
long  as  tarsus ;  tarsus  not  longer  than  bill,  but  longer  than 
middle  toe  with  claw,  or  with  a  conspicuous  white  cottony 
patch  on  each  side  of  rump. 

Fig.  331. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Length  7.10-8.00. 

2.  With  conspicuous  white  cottony  tufts  on  sides  of  rump ;  under  parts 

without  yellow borealis,  p.  257. 

2'.  Without  cottony  rump  tufts ;  belly  yellowish.    Arizona. 

pallidiventris,  p.  «>5* 


FLYCATCHERS  257 

1'.  Length  5.90-6.75. 
2.  Wings  and  tail  shorter.     Western  Nebraska  to  Atlantic. 

virens,  p.  258. 
2'.  Wings  and  tail  longer.     Plains  to  Pacific  .     .  richardsonii,  p.  258. 

Subgenus  Nuttallornis. 

459.  Contopus  borealis  (Swains.).    OLIVE-SIDED  FLYCATCHER. 
Adults.  —  Under  parts  with  whitish  median  tract  between  dark,  somewhat 

streaked  lateral  parts,  white  sometimes 
faintly  tinged  with  yellow ;  upper  parts 
sooty,  conspicuous  tuft  of  white  cottony 
feathers  on  sides  of  rump  (usually  con-  _ 

cealed  by  wings).      Young:  similar,  but  Fig.  332. 

wing  coverts  tipped  with  buffy,  or  brown- 
ish instead  of  white.     Length:  7.10-7.90;  wing  3.90-4.50,  tail  2.80-3.50, 
exposed  culmen  .58-.70,  tarsus  .55-.60. 

Remarks.  —  This  is  the  only  Contopus  that  has  white  cottony  tufts  on  the 
sides  of  the  rump,  or  first  quill  longer  than  fourth. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  zone  forests  of  North  America  from 
Hudson  Bay  south  through  the  higher  parts  of  the  United  States  ;  mi- 
grates to  Central  America,  Colombia,  and  northern  Peru. 

Nest.  —  Small,  of  wiry  materials  fastened  skillfully  to  branches  of  conif- 
erous trees,  40  to  60  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  :  usually  3,  creamy,  gen- 
erally wreathed  with  spots  of  brown  and  lavender. 

Food.  —  Winged  insects,  such  as  beetles,  butterflies,  moths,  gadflies,  and 
grasshoppers. 

In  the  high  Sierra  as  in  the  Canadian  forests  throughout  the  United 
States  the  pu-pip'  of  the  olive-sided  calls  your  attention  to  a  solitary 
bird  with  a  dark  gray  breast  and  white  median  line,  perched  on  the 
tip  of  an  evergreen  spire.  Its  body  is  quiet,  but  its  head  is  turning 
from  side  to  side,  and  suddenly  it  launches  into  the  air,  catches  an 
insect,  turns,  and  with  wings  and  tail  spread  sails  back  to  its  perch. 

It  calls  a  great  deal  in  the  twilight,  and  in  the  fir  belt  of  Mt. 
Shasta,  where  its  voice  is  one  of  the  commonest  forest  sounds,  as  the 
evening  shadows  gathered  over  the  noble  trees  under  which  we  were 
camped,  the  mellow  pu-pip1 ',  pu-pu-pio',  pu-pip',  pu-pu-pio',  came 
down  to  us  in  soothing  cadence  till  the  camp-fire  shone  in  the  dark- 
ness. 

Subgenus  Contopus. 

460.  Contopus  pertinax  pallidiventris  Chapm.    COUES  FLY- 

CATCHER. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  grayish  brown,  tinged  with  olive  ;  under  parts  nearly 
uniform  olive  gray,  chin  slightly  whitish,  belly  and  under  tail  coverts  dull 
yellowish  ;  first  quill  much  shorter  than 
fourth.  Young :  similar,  but  wing  cov- 
erts tipped  with  buffy  or  brownish.. 

Length :  7.70-&00,   wing  3.80-4.45,  tail 

3.60-3.90.  Fig.  333. 

Remarks.  —  The    Coues   flycatcher  is 
about  the  size  of  the  olive-sided,  but  its  under  parts  are  strikingly  uniform 


258  FLYCATCHERS  % 

compared  with  those  of  borealis,  in  which  the  dark  sides  are  sharply  con- 
trasted with  the  white  median  line  ;  it  also  lacks  the  conspicuous  cottony 
rump  tufts  of  borealis. 

Distribution.  —  From  mountains  of  central  and  southern  Arizona,  south 
through  northwestern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  As  far  as  known,  of  grass  tops,  moss,  lichens,  catkins,  leaves, 
spider's  web,  fragments  of  insects  and  their  exuviae,  placed  on  an  oak  or 
pine  branch  15  to  20  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs :  On  one  record,  3,  cream 
buff,  spotted  in  a  ring  around  the  larger  end  with  brown  and  lilac  gray. 

Food.  —  Flies,  beetles,  and  other  insects. 

In  the  mountains  of  southern  Arizona  Mr.  Henshaw  found  the 
Coues  flycatcher  in  the  pines  or  in  rocky  gulches  of  mixed  pine  and 
oak,  launching  out  from  the  branches,  circling  around  the  high  pine 
stubs,  and  making  the  sudden  erratic  flights  from  point  to  point 
which  are  especially  characteristic  of  the  species. 

Its  notes,  though  similar  to  those  of  the  olive-sided  flycatcher, 
Mr.  Henshaw  says,  can  easily  be  distinguished  from  them,  the  last 
syllable  being  prolonged  and  raised. 

461.  Contopus  virens  (Linn.).    WOOD  PEWEB. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  grayish  brown,  tinged  with  olive  ;  two  wing  bars 
dull  whitish ;  under  parts  whitish,  more  or  less  washed  with  olive  gray 
and  tinged  with  pale  yellowish ;  wing  at  least  six  times  as  long  as  tarsus, 
tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw ;  exposed  culmen  much  less  than 
twice  the  width  of  bill  at  nostrils.  Young :  with  buffy  or  brownish  wing 
bars.  Length  5.90-6.50,  wing  3. 00-3. £5,  tail  2.50-2.90,  exposed  culmen 
.43-.S2,  width  of  bill  at  base  .24-.30,  tarsus  .4S-.53. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southern  provinces  of  Canada  to  Florida, 
and  from  the  Atlantic  west  to  the  Dakotas,  Nebraska,  and  Kansas ;  mi- 
grates through'  eastern  Mexico  to  South  America. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  deciduous  trees  5  to  50  feet  from  the  ground,  made 
largely  of  plant  fibers,  rootlets,  and  moss,  coated  with  lichen.  Eggs :  2  to 
4,  white,  irregularly  wreathed  around  larger  end  with  browns  and  purples. 

Food.  —  Insects,  including  grasshoppers,  locusts,  and  caterpillars. 

The  wood  pewee  is  sometimes  met  with  west  of  the  hundredth 
meridian  in  Texas,  and  though  it  is  almost  indistinguishable  from  its 
western  congener  in  coloration  and  habit,  its  notes  identify  it  the 
instant  they  reach  the  ear.  The  call  of  the  western  is  a  common- 
place pueer,  but  that  of  the  wood  pewee  is  a  plaintive  musical 
pee-ah-wee. 

462.  Contopus  richardsonii  (Swains.).  WESTERN  WOOD  PEWEE. 
Adults.  —  Upper  parts  dark  grayish  brown ;  under  parts  heavily  washed 

with  dark  gray  ;  belly  and  under  tail  coverts  whitish 
or  pale  yellowish  ;  wing  at  least  six  times  as  long  as 
tarsus  ;  tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw ;  ex- 
posed culmen  much  less  than  twice  the  width  of  bill.  Fig.  334. 


FLYCATCHERS  259 

at  nostril.  Young :  with  buffy  or  brownish  wing  bars.  Length  :  6.20-6.75, 
wing  3.15-3.55,  tail  2.50-2.95,  exposed  culmen  .44-51,  width  of  bill  at  base 
.27-.S2,  tarsus  .49-.56. 

Remarks.  —  In  richardsonii  the  wings  and  tail  are  slightly  longer  than 
in  C.  virens. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from  the 
Plains  to  the  Pacific,  and  from  the  interior  of  British  America  to  Lower 
California ;  migrates  to  South  America. 

Nest. — Saddled  on  horizontal  limb  of  orchard  or  forest  tree,  6  to  40 
feet  from  the  ground ;  made  of  wood,  plant  fibers,  down,  inner  bark,  sage, 
and  grass  tops,  rarely  lined  with  a  few  feathers,  and  sometimes  covered 
with  spider's  web.  Eggs  :  2  to  4,  white,  irregularly  wreathed  around  the 
larger  end  with  blotches  and  minute  specks  of  brown  and  purple. 

Food.  —  Flies  and  other  insects,  with  a  few  wild  berries. 

In  the  lower  Canadian  zone  forests  the  western  wood  pewee  is 
frequently  met  with,  and  in  the  Murray  pine  meadows  of  the  Sierra 
is  one  of  the  commonest  birds  seen.  It  sits  with  its  long  thin  body 
erect,  and  as  it  watches  for  insects  gives  its  quiet  call,  well  rendered 
by  Dr.  Merrill  as  tweer  or  deer.  In  Arizona  its  setting  is  altogether 
different,  mesquite  and  yucca  stalks  being  its  principal  perches. 

GENUS   EMPIDONAX. 

General  Characters.  — Wing  less  than  3.25,  not  more  than 
five  times  as  long  as  tarsus. 

Fig.  335. 
KEY   TO  ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Under  parts  buffy.  Arizona  and  New  Mexico  .  .  py gmaeus,  p.  263. 
1'.  Under  parts  whitish  or  sulphur  yellow. 

2.  Width  of  bill  at  nostrils  decidedly  greater  than  half  the 
exposed  culmen. 

3.  Under  parts  wholly  yellowish  or  brownish. 

4.  Under  parts  darker,  washed  with  brown    .     .     difficilis,  p.  260. 
4'.  Under  parts  lighter,  with  little  or  no  brown  wash.     Santa  Bar- 
bara Islands insulicola,  p.  260. 

3'.  Under  parts  partly  white. 

4.  Wing  2.30-2.60 ;  tail  distinctly  emarginate.     Rocky  Mountains 

to  Atlantic minimus,  p.  261. 

4'.  Wing  2.60-3.00 ;  tail  even  or  slightly  rounded. 

5.  Colors  weaker ;  bill  longer  and  narrower    .     .  traillii,  p.  260. 
5'.  Colors  stronger ;  bill  shorter  and  broader.     Eastern. 

alnorum,  p.  261. 
2'.  Width  of  bill  at  nostrils  not  greater  than  half  the  exposed  culmen. 


3.  Bill  narrower hammondi,  p.  262. 

3'.  Bill  broader.  Fig.  337. 

4.  Under  mandible  blackish    .     .     .     wrightii,  p.  262. 

4'.  Under   mandible    flesh-colored,   tipped   with    black.     Fig.  338. 
Mountains  of  southern  Arizona griseus,  p.  263. 


260  FLYCATCHERS 

464.  Empidonax  difficilis  Baird.    WESTERN  FLYCATCHER. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  olivaceous  (brownish  in  winter),  wing  bars  dull 
buffy   (brighter  in   winter);  under  parts  dull  yellow,  shaded 
with  brown  across  breast,  brightening1  to  sulphur  yellow  on 
belly  and  under   tail  coverts ;  under   wing   coverts  buffy, 
deepening  to  ochraceous  on  edge  of  wing ;  width  of  bill  at 
>U   nostrils  decidedly  greater  than  half  the  length  of  exposed 
"    culmen.     Young :  similar,   but  browner  above,  with  wing 
bands  yellowish  brown  or  rusty  buff,  sulphur  yellow  of  belly 
replaced   by   dull   white.     Length :  5.50-6.00.   Male :  wing 
Fig.  339.       2.50-2.1)0,  tail  2.35-2.60,  bill  .57-.63,  bill  from  nostril  .29- 
.33,  width  at  base  .25-.2S,  tarsus  .G4-.69.     Female :  wing  2.30-2.60,  tail 
2.20-2.45. 

Remarks.  —  The  distinct  yellow  tone  of  the  under  parts  distinguishes 
difficilis  from-  all  western  flycatchers. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  from  the  east- 
ern foothills  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  adjacent  ranges  to  the  Pacific, 
and  from  southern  Alaska  south  to  northern  Lower  California ;  migrates 
to  Costa  Rica. 

Nest.  —  Usually  not  far  from  water,  in  alders,  trees,  stumps,  roots,  under 
stream  banks,  on  rock  ledges,  in  natural  cavities,  or  about  buildings ; 
made  of  plant  stems  and  fibers,  down,  inner  bark,  rootlets,  leaves,  and 
moss,  lined  with  horsehair  and  feathers,  often  coated  with  green  moss. 
Eggs :  3  or  4,  white,  blotched  and  spotted  with  brown  and  buff  pink. 
Food.  —  Largely  injurious  insects. 

The  western  flycatcher  is  a  widely  distributed  bird,  as  Mr.  Allen 
says,  shade  apparently  being  its  principal  requirement,  for  it  ranges 
from  the  lowlands  almost  to  timberline.  It  is  said  to  have  a  song 
and  a  sweet  call,  beside  a  sharp  chirp  uttered  when  angry  or 
frightened. 

464.2.  Empidonax  insulicola  Oberh.  SANTA  BARBARA  FLY- 
CATCHER. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  olive  brown,  slightly  darker  on  head  and 
paler  and  more  greenish  on  rump ;  wings  with  two  conspicuous  brownish 
white  bars ;  throat  grayish,  faintly  washed  with  yellow  :  rest  of  under  parts 
straw  yellow,  slightly  tinged  on  breast  and  sides  with  olive  brown.  Wing: 
2.68,  tail  2.40,  exposed  culmen  .47,  tarsus  .88. 

Remarks.  —  E.  insulicola  differs  from  E.  difficilis  in  its  darker  upper 
parts  and  paler  under  parts,  the  breast  having  little  of  the  brown  wash  of 
difficilis. 

Distribution.  — Santa  Barbara  Islands,  California. 

Nest.  —  In  the  side  of  a  cliff,  a  cave,  or  pocket  in  a  boulder,  made  of 
strips  of  bark  and  vegetable  fibers.  Eggs :  2  or  3,  white  or  creamy,  dotted 
with  reddish  about  the  larger  end. 

466.  Empidonax  traillii  (Aud.).    TRAILL  FLYCATCHER. 

Width  of  bill  at  nostrils  decidedly  greater  than  half  the  length  of  ex- 
posed culmen.  Adults :  eye  ring  whitish  ;  upper  parts  olive,  darker  on  head 
from  dusky  centers  of  coronal  feathers ;  wing  bars  varying  from  brownish 
to  whitish  ;  under  parts  white,  shaded  with  gray  across  breast,  tinged  with 
yellow  beneath ;  under  wing  coverts  yellowish  white.  Young :  browner 
above,  yellower  beneath ;  wing  bands  buff  or  yellowish  brown.  Male  :  length 


FLYCATCHERS  261 

5.80-6.25,  wing  2.70-2.85,  tail  2.35-2.60,  bill  .64-.73,  bill  from  nostril  .35- 
.40,  width  at  base  .27-31,  tarsus  .65-72.  Female:  length  5.55-6.00,  wing 
2.55-2.65,  tail  2.20-2.50. 

Remarks.  —  The  wide  bill,  whitish  under  parts,  and  olive  or  olive  brown 
—  not  greenish  —  upper  parts  are  characteristic. 

Distribution.  —  Western  North  America  from  the  Mississippi  valley  to 
the  Pacific,  and  from  the  Mackenzie  River  valley  south  to  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  low  shrubs  or  bushes  near  water,  1  to  6  feet  from  the  ground, 
made  of  dry  grasses,  pine  needles,  shreds  of  bark,  and  plant  fibers,  lined 
with  fibers,  bark,  grass  tops,  fern  down,  and  horsehair.  Eggs :  2  to  4, 
white  or  pinkish  buff,  marked  with  dots  or  blotches  of  brown,  mostly 
about  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Largely  caterpillars,  moths,  ants,  grasshoppers,  and  other 
harmful  insects. 

The  Traill  flycatcher  is  said  by  Major  Bendire  to  be  especially  fond 
of  '  willow-covered  islands,  and  the  shrubbery  along  watercourses, 
beaver  meadows,  and  the  borders  of  the  more  open  mountain 
parks/  where  it  sometimes  reaches  an  altitude  of  8000  feet,  espe- 
cially in  Colorado,  Utah,  and  California.  Its  note,  given  in  the 
breeding  season,  is  described  by  Professor  Cooke  as  a  shrill  hurried 
'  pree-pe-deer,'  characteristic  of  the  energetic,  aggressive  disposition 
of  the  bird.  In  hunting,  Mr.  Ridgway  says,  it  never  stays  long  in 
one  place,  but  moves  from  perch  to  perch,  snapping  up  insects  as  it 
flies. 

466a.  JE.  t.  alnorum  Brewst.    ALDEK  FLYCATCHER. 

Similar  to  Traill  flycatcher,  but  averaging  more  olivaceous  above  and 
more  yellow  below,  the  bill  shorter  and  broader  and  tarsus  shorter.  Male : 
wing  2.60-3.00,  tail  2.40-2.60,  bill  .60-.64,  bill  from  nostril  .32-.37,  width 
at  bas'e  .29-.30,  tarsus  .64-.67.  Female  :  wing  2.50-2.65,  tail  2.25-2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  zone  in  eastern  North  America  from 
New  England  west  to  western  Nebraska  ;  migrates  to  Central  America. 

Nest  and  eggs.  —  Like  those  of  the  Traill  flycatcher. 

467.  Ernpidonax  minimus  Baird.    LEAST  FLYCATCHER. 

Width  of  bill  at  nostril  decidedly  greater  than  half  the  length  of  ex- 
posed culmen  ;  tail  slightly  emarginate.  Adults  :  upper  parts  dark  olive  ; 
wing  bars  whitish ;  throat  whitish ;  chest  washed  with  gray ;  belly  faintly 
tinged  with  pale  yellowish.  Young  :  like  adults  but  more  olive,  and  wing 
bars  brown.  Male :  length  4.90-5.50,  wing  2.30-2.60,  tail  2.10-2.40,  bill 
.53-.S9,  bill  from  nostril  .27-.31,  width  at  base  .23-.27,  tarsus  .59-.6B. 
Female:  wing 2.20-2.40,  tail  2.10-2.25. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Boreal  zones  in  eastern  North 
America  from  about  latitude  63°  south  to  the  northern  United  States; 
and  from  the  Atlantic  west  to  eastern  Colorado  and  Montana  (casually 
to  Utah)  ;  migrates  to  Central  America  and  Panama. 

Nest.  —  Compactly  made  of  shreds  of  bark,  plant  fibers,  dry  grasses, 
weeds,  cocoons,  and  down,  placed  usually  in  bushes  or  trees  in  an  upright 
fork  from  8  to  25  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs:  3  to  6,  white,  unspotted. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  die-beck'  of  the  friendly  little  flycatcher,  heard  from  choke- 


262  FLYCATCHERS 

cherry  thickets  in  canyons  or  more  commonly  from  orchards  and 
villages,  is  pleasantly  associated  with  a  fluffy,  white-breasted  little 
figure  flitting  about  among  leafy  branches,  snapping  its  bill  and 
shaking  its  wings  and  tail  in  its  flycatching.  Like  most  of  its  rela- 
tives it  makes  up  for  lack  of  song  by  a  variety  of  pleasing  little 
conversational  notes  and  twitterings. 

468.  Empidonax  hammondi  (Xantus).   HAMMOND  FLYCATCHER. 
Adults.  —  Upper  parts  grayish  olive,  grayer  anteriorly  ;  wing  bars  whit- 
ish or  yellowish  ;   outer  tail  feather  more  or 
less  edged  with  whitish  ;  throat  grayish  ;  breast 

olivaceous,  almost  as  dark  as  back  ;  belly  and 

Fig.  340.  under  tail  coverts  yellowish  ;  width  of  bill  at 

nostrils  less  than  half  the  exposed  culmen. 
Young :  tinged  with  brown,  wing  bars  yellowish  brown.  Male  :  length 
5.50-5.75,  wing  2.60-2.80,  tail  2.30-2.50,  bill  .53-.S9,  bill  from 
nostril .26-29,  width  at  base,  .22-.24,  tarsus  .60-.68.  Female : 
length  5.25,  wing  2.45-2.75,  tail  2.15-2.40. 

Remarks,  —  Hammondi  has  the  smallest  and  narrowest 
bill  of  any  of  the  genus  Empidonax  except  fulvifrons  and/. 
pygmcea,  and  it  differs  from  them  by  having  a  dark  chest 
band. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones      F.     ^ 
of  western  North  America  east  to  the  eastern  slopes  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  and  adjoining  ranges,  and  from  Lesser  Slave  Lake  and 
interior  of  Alaska  south  probably  to  mountains  of  Arizona  and  New  Mex- 
ico ;  migrates  to  Lower  California  and  southern* Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  willows,  cottonwoods,  or  aspens,  or  on  horizontal  limbs  of 
pine  or  fir,  2  to  50  feet  from  the  ground ;  made  of  plant  stems  and  fibers, 
bark,  and  down,  sometimes  lined  with  grass-tops,  hair,  feathers,  scales  of 
conifer  buds,  and  hypnum  moss.  Eggs:  usually  3  or  4,  creamy  white, 
generally  unspotted,  or  if  spotted,  minutely  so,  with  brown  around  the 
larger  end. 

Food.  —  Insects,  especially  ants. 

In  northern  Idaho  Dr.  Merrill  found  hammondi  more  abundant 
than  in  Montana  or  Oregon,  and  as  common  among  young  cotton- 
woods  and  willows  along  rivers  and  near  swamps  as  in  dry  woods 
among  pines,  its  notes  being  heard  almost  everywhere.  Mr.  Daw- 
son  gives  its  notes  as  a  ;  brisk  sewick,  sewick,  and  at  rarer  intervals 
switcJi-oo,  or  swecehoo.' 

469.  Empidonax  wrightii  Baird.    WRIGHT  FLYCATCHER. 
Similar  to  hammondi,  but  bill  wider,  plumage  grayer  above,  whiter  below, 

throat  often  whitish  ;  outer  web  of  outer  tail  feather  abruptly 
paler  than  inner  web,  usually  whitish.  Length:  5.75-6.40. 
Male :  wing  2.70-2.95,  tail  2.55-2.80,  bill  .G2-.69,  bill  from 
nostril  .32-.3S,  width  at  base  .24-.27,  tarsus  .71-.77.  Female  : 
wing  2.55-2.75,  tail  2.50-2.65. 

Remarks.  —  The  white  outer  tail  feather  and  light  breast 
.    distinguish  wrightii  from  hammondi,  for  though  hammondi 
Fig.  342.         often  has  a  white  edge  to  its  tail  feather  its  chest  band  is 
dark  gray. 


FLYCATCHERS  263 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  in  British  Co- 
lumbia and  the  western  United  States  from  Oregon  and  Montana  to  the 
eastern  slopes  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  south  to  New  Mexico  and  Ari- 
zona ;  migrates  to  Lower  California  and  southern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Fastened  to  twigs  or  against  the  trunk  of  saplings,  or  in  up- 
right forks  of  •  hushes  from  2  to  18  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  plant 
fibers  and  strips  of  bark,  partially  lined  with  feathers,  hair,  and  some- 
times tree  moss.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  dull  white,  unspotted. 

Food.  —  Insects,  spiders,  and  caterpillars. 

In  the  Great  Basin  country  wrightii  is  as  much  at  home  in  the 
sagebrush  as  most  other  species  of  Empidonax  are  in  shady  woods 
or  around  grassy  meadows.  His  trim  little  form  is  often  noticed  on 
top  of  a  sagebrush  by  the  roadside,  sometimes  far  from  water,  but 
more  often  within  reach  of  pond  or  stream.  A  favorite  place  for 
the  nest  is  in  the  fork  of  a  sage. 

When  found  in  the  mountains  wrightii  is  usually  in  the  open  or 
half  forested  parks,  brushy  slopes,  old  burnings,  or  edges  of  aspen 
groves.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

469.1.  Empidonax  griseus  Brewst.    GRAY  FLYCATCHER. 

Nearest  to  wrightii,  but  larger  and  much  grayer,  washed  with  darker  on 
chest;  bill  longer,  basal  half  of  lower  mandible  flesh  colored  in  strong 
contrast  to  blackish  tip. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Oregon  and  Colorado  to  southern  Mexico ; 
winters  from  Arizona  to  Tepic. 

Nest.  —  In  trees  2-40  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  inner  bark  of  wil- 
low. Eggs :  4,  cream  buff,  unspotted. 

In  Mr.  Grinnell's  list  of  the  birds  of  Los  Angeles  County  he  gives 
some  interesting  records  for  the  little  known  gray  flycatcher.  He 
thinks  it  can  be  found  in  some  parts  of  the  county  throughout  the 
year.  A  few  specimens  have  been  taken  in  fall,  winter,  and  spring 
near  Pasadena  and  El  Monte,  and  in  July  Mr.  Grinnell  found  it  at 
an  altitude  of  from  7500  to  8500  feet  on  the  side  of  Mt.  Waterman. 
There,  he  says,  it  was  'not  uncommon  though  very  shy,  keeping 
in  the  tallest  pines  on  the  mountain  sides/  He  afterwards  found  it 
breeding  abundantly  in  the  San  Bernardino  Mountains. 

470a.  Empidonax  fulvifrons  pygmseus  (Coues).  BUFF- 
BREASTED  FLYCATCHER. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  dull  grayish  brown ;  wing  bars  grayish  ;  under 
parts  pale  buffy,  washed  with  ochraceous  on  breast  and  sides.  Young : 
wing  bands  buff  ;  lower  parts  paler  and  duller.  Length  :  4.75-5.10,  wing 
2.20-2.45,  tail  1.95-2.14,  bill.50-.55,  bill  from  nostril  .2S-.27,  width  at  base 
.20-.22,  tarsus  .51-.60. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southwestern  New  Mexico  and  Arizona 
south  to  western  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  forks  or  on  branches  30  to  50  feet  from  the  ground,  about 
the  size  and  shape  of  a  blue-gray  gnatcatcher's ;  made  of  bits  of  soft  leaves, 


264  FLYCATCHERS 

fine  straws,  and  rootlets,  lined  with  fine  fibers.      Eggs :  3  or  4,  oval,  buff 
or  dull  white. 

Mr.  R.  D.  Lusk,  who  discovered  the  nest  of  the  buff-breasted  in 
the  Chiricahua  Mountains,  found  the  bird  well  named,  the  bright 
Arizona  sunlight  bringing  out  the  buff  of  its  breast.  He  says  that 
the  soft  pit,  pit',  of  a  pair  he  was  watching  was  varied  by  a  great 
number  of  other  notes,  among  them  the  chicky-whew  of  the  male. 

GENUS    PYROCEPHALUS. 

471.  Pyrocephalus  rubineus  mexicanus  (ScL).  VERMILION 
FLYCATCHER. 

Head  of  male  with  full  rounded  crest ;  bill  slender,  narrow  at  base  much 
as  in  Sayornis  ;  tail  nearly  even,  of  broad  feathers  ;  tarsus  scarcely  longer 
than  middle  toe  with  claw.  Adult  male :  erectile  crown  and  under  parts 
brilliant  scarlet ;  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  darker  on  wings  and  tail. 
Adult  female :  upper  parts  brownish  gray ;  under  parts  whitish,  breast 
streaked  with  gray ;  belly  tinged  with  yellow,  salmon,  or  red.  Immature 
:nale :  like  adult  female,  but  with  red  appearing  in  crown  and  on  breast. 
Young :  upper  parts  brownish  gray,  feathers  edged  with  whitish ;  under 
parts  whitish,  streaked  across  breast,  without  reddish  tinge  on  belly.  A 
rare  melanistic  phase  of  plumage  is  uniform  dark  brown  tinged  in  male 
with  wine  purple  on  crown  and  lower  parts.  Length :  5.50-6.25,  wing  3.20- 
3.40,  tail  2.60-2.80. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  and  Tropical  zones  from  south- 
western Utah  through  southern  New  Mexico,  Arizona,  southwestern  Texas, 
southern  California,  and  Lower  California  to  Central  America  :  accidental 
in  Florida. 

Nest.  —  Frail  and  flimsy,  made  of  short  twigs,  cocoons,  down,  plant 
tops  and  fiber,  lined  with  feathers,  wool,  hair,  fur,  or  down,  saddled  on  a 
horizontal  fork  6  to  50  feet  from  the  ground  in  mesquite,  palo  verde,  cot- 
tonwood,  oak,  and  rarely  willow.  Eggs :  2  or  3,  cream  or  butf ,  marked  most 
heavily  about  the  larger  end  with  bold  irregular  blotches  and  spots  of 
brown  and  purple. 

Food.  —  Insects,  including  grasshoppers  and  small  beetles. 

Of  all  the  rare  Mexican  birds  seen  in  southern  Arizona  and  Texas 
the  vermilion  flycatcher  is  the  gem,  his  brilliant  scarlet  body  glow- 
ing red  even  in  the  dim  twilight. 

In  an  'oak  mott'  of  southern  Texas,  where  we  found  jackdaws 
and  scissor-tail  flycatchers,  the  little  Pyrocephalus  was  at  home  the 
last  of  April,  so  he  doubtless  nested  there  too.  One  of  his  favorite 
perches  was  a  dead  oak  twig  close  to  the  ground,  and  in  making  his 
sallies  for  insects  he  swept  out  over  the  flower-covered  field  we  were 
trying  to  photograph,  his  image  in  the  camera  more  beautiful  than 
the  flowers  themselves. 

When  flycatching  he  often  hovered  over  the  grass  in  the  regula- 
tion flycatcher  way,  but  besides  he  had  a  unique  nuptial  performance 
of  his  own.  When  high  in  the  air  he  would  puff  out  the  red  feath- 
ers of  his  breast  and  hold  himself  up,  twittering  volubly  as  long  as 


LARKS  265 

lie  could  hover,  then  with  a  fine  ecstasy  come  floating  back  to  the 
field  like  a  ball  of  down. 

His  usual  twitter  was  like  that  of  the  wood  pewee,  a  conversa- 
tional aside.  His  call-notes  were  persistent  and  quite  loud.  For  so 
small  a  flycatcher  he  took  a  surprisingly  distinct  part  in  the  noisy 
jackdaw  and  scissor-tail  chorus. 

GENUS    ORNTTHION. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  curved,  compressed,  almost  without  bristles ; 
tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

KEY   TO  SPECIES. 

1.  Smaller  and  browner imberbe,  p.  265. 

1'.  Larger  and  grayer ridgwayi,  p.  265. 

472.  Ornithion  imberbe  (3d.).    BEARDLESS  FLYCATCHER. 

Adults,  —  Upper  parts  plain  brownish  gray  ;  wings  with  light  edgings ; 
under  parts  grayish  white,  tinged  with  yellow.  Young :  under  parts  buffy. 
Length :  4.SO,  wing  2.10-2.15,  tail  1.70-1.95,  bill  .39-.40. 

Distribution.  —  From  lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas  to  Central 
America. 

472a.  O.  i.  ridgwayi  Brewst.    RIDGWAY  FLYCATCHER. 

Like  imberbe,  but  larger,  grayer,  and  with  under  parts  almost  or  wholly 
without  yellow.  Length :  4.30-4.80,  wing  2.04-2.28,  tail  1.78-2.02,  bill 
.40-.42. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  south  through  western  Mexico  to 
Mazatlan. 

"Mr.  Stephens  found  the  curious  little  bird  at  Tucson.  .  .  .  The 
males  had  a  habit  of  perching  on  the  tops  of  the  tallest  trees  in  the 
vicinity  of  their  haunts,  and  at  sunrise  occasionally  uttered  a  singu- 
lar song  which  Mr.  Stephens  transcribes  as  '  yoop-yoop-yoop  eedeedledee,' 
the  first  half  given  very  deliberately,  the  remainder  rapidly."  (Ben- 
dire.) 

FAMILY   ALAUDIDJE:   LARKS. 

KEY  TO   GENERA. 

1.  Crown  with  blunt  erectile  crest Alauda,  p.  265. 

1'.  Crown  with  horn-like  tufts  of  black  feathers    .     .       Otocoris,  p.  266. 

GENUS    ALAUDA. 

[473.]  Alauda  arvensis  Linn.    SKYLARK. 

Wing  with  spurious  primary ;  tail  deeply  emarginate ;  tarsus  equal  to 
middle  toe  and  claw.  Adults  :  Upper  parts  light  brownish,  streaked  with 
black  ;  wings  dusky,  feathers  bordered  with  brown  ;  tail  with  outer  feath- 
ers white,  dusky  along  edge  of  inner  web ;  under  parts  and  superciliary 
whitish ;  chest  pale  tawny,  streaked ;  ear  coverts  brownish,  sometimes 
blackish  along  upper  margin.  Adults  in  winter:  plumage  more  tawny 
and  feathers  of  crown  and  back  with  more  or  less  whitish  margins.  Young : 
tawny,  with  white  margins  to  feathers  of  upper  parts  conspicuous,  marked 
with  a  subterminal  spot  of  brown ;  tertials  widely  bordered  with  buffy, 


266  LARKS 

edged  inside  with  dark  brown  ;  chest  brownish  buffy.  indistinctly  streaked 
or  spotted  with  tawny. 

Distribution.  —  Europe  and  portions  of  Asia  and  Africa  ;  introduced  and 
naturalized  in  Oregon. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  meadows  or  open  grassy  places.  Eggs :  3  to  6, 
buffy  whitish  or  pale  grayish  brown,  thickly  speckled  with  brown. 

GENUS    OTOCORIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Crown  with  horn-like  erectile  tufts ;  primaries 
apparently  only  nine ;  tail  nearly  even ;  bill  conoid,  acute ;  tarsus  round 
behind,  in  young  divided  into  plates  on  back ;  hind  claw  equal  to  or  longer 
than  its  toe,  nearly  straight. 

KEY   TO  ADULT   MALES   IN   SUMMEK. 


Fig.  343. 

1.  Size  large  ;  breeding  north  of  the  United  States. 
2.  Throat  white  ;  south  in  winter  to  Utah    .     .     .       arcticola,  p.  266. 
2'.  Throat  yellowish ;  south  in  winter  to  Kansas  and  Nevada,  hoyti,  p.  269. 
I'.Size  smaller  ;  breeding  in  the  United  States. 
2.  Upper  parts  pale  grayish  brown  or  pinkish. 

3.  Upper  parts  exceedingly  pale.     Colorado  desert,     pallida,  p.  268. 
3'.  Upper  parts  not  exceedingly  pale. 

4.  Superciliary  yellow.     Coast  of  Texas.    .     .    .     giraudi,  p.  268. 
4'.  Superciliary  white. 

5.  Back  darker ;  size  smaller.     Eastern      .      praticola,  p.  267. 
5'.  Back  paler  ;  size  larger. 

6.  Pinkish  of  nape  contrasting  with  back.     Great  Plains  and 

Great  Basin leucolaema,  p.  267. 

6'.  Pinkish  of  nape  shading  gradually  into  back.     New  Mex- 
ico and  Arizona occidentalis,  p.  269. 

2'.  Upper  parts  not  pale  grayish  or  pinkish. 
3.  Back  sharply  contrasting  with  nape. 

4.  Back  brownish.    Southern  California     ....     actia,  p.  268. 
4'.  Back  blackish. 

5.  Back  of  neck  pinkish.    Plains  of  Columbia .    merrilli,  p.  268. 
5'.  Back  of  neck  ruddy  brown. 

6.  Darker.     Santa  Barbara  Islands      .     .      insularis,  p.  269. 
6'.  Lighter.     Coast  region,  British  Columbia  to  California. 

strigata,  p.  268. 
3'.  Back  not  sharply  contrasted  with  nape. 

4.  Nape  bright  brick  red.     Sacramento  Valley    .       rubea,  p.  268. 
4'.  Nape  pinkish.     Southern  Arizona  .     ...     .     .    adusta,  p.  268. 

474a.  Otocoris  alpestris  arcticola  Oberh.  ALASKA  HORNED 
LARK. 

Like  leucolcema  but  larger,  with  white  throat,  brownish  streaked  back, 
and  more  pinkish  nape. 

Distribution.  —  Alaska,  south  in  winter  to  Oregon,  Utah,  and  Montana. 


LARKS  267 

474b.  O.  a.  praticola  Hensh.     PRAIRIE  HORNED  LARK. 

"Like  leucolcema  but  darker,  less  ochraceous  above,  the  superciliary 
stripe  usually  without  yellow."  (Oberholser.) 

Distribution. —  Breeds  from  southern  Canada  to  Pennsylvania  and  Kansas, 
and  from  Maine  to  eastern  Nebraska ;  migrates  to  the  Carolinas  and  Texas ; 
casually  west  to  Colorado  and  Arizona. 

474c.  O.  a.  leucolaema  (Coues).    DESERT  HORNED  LARK. 

Adult  male  in  breeding  plumage.  —  Front  of  crown,  horn-like  tufts,  lores, 
cheeks,  and  shield  on  breast  black ;  back  of  head  and  neck,  upper  tail 
coverts,  and  bend  of  wing,  pinkish  cinna- 
mon ;  forehead,  superciliary  stripe,  and  ear 
coverts  white,  eyebrow  usually  yellowish  ; 
throat  yellowish  white  ;  rest  of  under  parts 
white,  sides  and  flanks  shaded  with  cinna- 
mon. Adult  female  in  breeding  plumage  :  Flg'  ^  Palhd  Horned  Lark" 
like  adult  male,  but  black  of  head  replaced  by  brownish  and  buffy ;  back 
of  neck,  bend  of  wing,  and  upper  tail  coverts,  cinnamon  without  pinkish 
tinge  ;  back  of  neck  narrowly  streaked  ;  superciliary  and  ear  coverts  buffy ; 
sides  and  flanks  streaked  with  dusky.  Adult  male  in  winter  plumage  :  like 
summer  male,  but  upper  parts  more  uniform,  the  brownish  areas  more 
pinkish,  on  back  of  head  and  neck  almost  hidden  by  grayish  tips  to  feath- 
ers ;  superciliary  yellowish  ;  throat  deeper  yellow ;  black  areas  obscured ; 
breast  tinged  with  buff  and  spotted  with  dusky ;  sides  and  flanks  darker. 
Young :  upper  parts  brownish,  feathers  with  subterminal  bar  of  brown  and 
spot  or  bar  of  white  or  buffy ;  superciliary  buffy,  throat  and  sides  of  head 
spotted.  Male  :  length  7.50-8.00,  wing  4.30-4.65,  tail  2.85-3.20.  Female  : 
wing  4.00-4.20,  tail  2.60-2.80. 

Distribution.  —  Great  Plains  and  Great  Basin  of  the  United  States,  south 
in  winter  to  northern  Mexico. 

Nest .  —  On  the  ground,  made  of  fine  hay,  lined  sometimes  with  deer 
hair.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  grayish  or  greenish  marked  variably  with  shades  of 
brown. 

In  following  the  roads  that  lead  on  and  on  through  the  limitless 
stretches  of  brown  barren  plains  in  the  west  the  monotony  of  the 
way  is  often  relieved  by  the  grateful  sight  of  a  little  companion  way- 
farer with  back  colored  to  match  the  soil  and  black  horns  that  set 
off  its  delicate  tints  perching  confidently  beside  the  road,  pattering 
fearlessly  along  ahead  of  your  horse,  or  feeding  and  singing  in  the  field 
as  you  pass.  A  quaint  ditty  theirs  is,  but  it  lends  cheer  and  bright- 
ness to  your  journey.  It  is  rendered  with  great  good  heart,  the 
little  larks  springing  up  from  the  ground  and  singing  as  they  hold 
themselves  on  fluttering  wings  in  the  air  and  sunshine.  In  the  nest- 
ing season,  they  sing  a  rapturous  love-song,  sometimes  flying  up 
quite  out  of  sight  and  circling  around  in  the  air  for  several  minutes, 
•  stopping  on  poised  wing  for  an  outpouring  of  song. 

The  larks  cover  so  much  country  that  they  meet  with  varied  con- 
ditions, the  northern  ones  encountering  snow,  and  the  Mexican  ones 
such  intense  desert  heat  that  they  are  sometimes  seen  with  mouths 
open  standing  in  rows  in  the  shade  of  fence  posts  and  weeds. 


268  LARKS 

474d.  O.  a.  giraudi  Hensh.    TEXAN  HORNED  LARK. 

Upper  parts  grayish  (especially  in  female) ;  male  with  superciliary, 
throat,  and  breast  usually  pale  yellow,  breast  usually  marked  with  gray- 
ish brown  in  both  sexes.  Male:  length  6.50-6.75,  wing  about  3.80-3.85, 
tail  2.60.  Female  :  length  5.80-6.00,  wing  about  3.50,  tail  2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  region  of  Texas  and  northeastern  Tamaulipas,  from 
(ijilveston  Bay  to  the  Rio  Grande  region. 

474e.  O.  a.  actia  Oberh.    CALIFORNIA  HORNED  LARK. 

Upper  parts  ruf  escent ;  nape,  shoulders,  and  rump  pinkish,  in  contrast 
to  back  ;  forehead,  superciliary,  and  throat  pale  yellow ;  rest  of  under 
•parts  white.  Male:  wing  3.70-4.05,  tail  2.44-2.75. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  California,  including  Mohave  Desert,  Owen 
Valley,  and  San  Joaquin  Valley. 

474f.  O.  a.  rubea  Hensh.     RUDDY  HORNED  LARK. 

Back  of  head  and  neck  brick  red,  rest  of  upper  parts  suffused  with  red : 
forehead,  superciliary,  and  throat  yellowish;  sides  marked  with  reddish 
brown.  Male  :  length  6.50-7.00,  wing  3.70-4.10,  tail  2.60-2.90.  Female  : 
length  6.00-6.50,  wing  3.50-3.70,  tail  2.35-2.65. 

Distribution.  —  Sacramento  Valley,  California. 

474g.  O.  a.  strigata  Hensh.    STREAKED  HORNED  LARK. 

Back  heavily  streaked  with  black  in  sharp  contrast  to  deep  ruddy  nape ; 
under  parts  partly  or  wholly  yellow.  Male  :  length  6.75-7.25,  wing  3.70- 
4. 10,  tail  2.70-3.05.  Female:  length  6.25-6.50,  wing  3.60-3.85,  tail  2.50- 
2.80. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  region  from  British  Columbia  south  to  California. 

Nest.  —  In  a  hollow,  on  dry  ground,  usually  frail,  made  of  fine  dead  weeds. 
Eggs :  usually  2  or  3,  dull  greenish  or  grayish,  marked  over  entire  surface 
with  gray  or  reddish,  heaviest  around  larger  end. 

474h.  O.  a.  adusta  Dwight.    SCORCHED  HORNED  LAKK. 

Pale  like  occidentalism  but  back  much  darker,  uniform  scorched  pink  or 
pinkish  brown.  Male :  wing  4,  tail  2.83,  bill  from  nostril  .36.  Female  : 
wing  3.73,  tail  2.48,  bill  from  nostril  .34. 

Distribution.  —  From  central  southern  Arizona,  south  to  Mexico. 

4741.  O.  a.  merrilli  Dwight.    DUSKY  HORNED  LARK. 

Similar  to  strigata,  but  larger,  grayer  above,  streaking  of  back  blacker 
and  back  of  neck  paler,  pinkish  instead  of  ruddy  brown  ;  less  yellowish 
below  ;  eyebrow  usually  yellowish.  Male  :  wing  4.07,  tail  2.80,  bill  from 
nostril  .35.  Female :  wing  3.72,  tail  2.50,  bill  from  nostril  .34. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia  south  between  the  Cascades  and 
Rocky  Mountains ;  in  winter  to  Nevada  and  California, 

474J.  O.  a.  pallida  Dwight.  PALLID  HORNED  LARK. 

Back  of  head  and  neck  pale  pinkish ;  rest  of  upper  parts  grayish,  streaked 
with  pale  brown ;  forehead  and  superciliary  white,  faintly  washed  with 
yellow ;  throat  pale  yellow. 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  269 

Distribution.  —  Colorado  Desert,  on  both  sides  of  the  Colorado  River 
from  the  great  bend  south  to  Gulf  of  California. 

474k.  O.  a.  hoyti  Bishop.     HOYT  HOKNED  LARK. 

Like  arcticola,  but  upper  parts  more  rufescent,  throat  generally  dis- 
tinctly yellowish,  and  lores  white.  Male :  wing  4.09-4.54,  tail  2.57-2.95. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  British  America  ;  migrates  to  Nevada,  Utah, 
Kansas,  and  Michigan ;  casually  to  Ohio  and  New  York. 

4741.  O.  a.  Occident  alls  (McCall).     MONTEZUMA  HORNED  LARK. 

Like  leucolcema,  but  upper  parts  with  a  slight  reddish  tinge,  leucolcema 
being  grayer.  Male:  wing  4.07-4.15,  tail  2.63-2.95. 

Distribution.  —  In  summer,  central  New  Mexico,  west  to  central  Arizona  ; 
in  winter,  south  to  Sonora  and  Chihuahua,  Mexico,  and  southeast  to  Texas. 

474m.  O.  a.  insularis  Towns.     ISLAND  HORNED  LARK. 

Like  strigata,  but  darker,  and  less  yellowish  below.  Male :  wing  3.74- 
3.96,  tail  2.36-2.67. 

Distribution.  —  The  Santa  Barbara  Islands,  California. 


FAMILY  CORVID^S :   CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

KEY   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Wing  long  and  pointed. 

2.  Plumage  black Corvus,  p.  279. 

2'.  Plumage  mainly  gray  or  blue. 

3.  Plumage  blue Cyaiiocephalus,  p.  284. 

3'.  Plumage  gray,  black,  and  white Nucifraga,  p.  282. 

1'.  Wing  short  and  rounded. 

2.  Plumage  black  and  white Pica,  p.  269. 

2'.  Plumage  not  black. 

3.  Head  crested Cyanocitta,  p.  271. 

3'.  Head  not  crested. 

4.  Plumage  mainly  gray  or  blue. 

5.  Plumage  gray Perisoreus,  p.  277. 

5'.  Plumage  blue Aphelocoma,  p.  274. 

4'.  Plumage  mainly  green  and  black      .     .     .  Xanthoura,  p.  277. 

GENUS   PICA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  much  longer  than  wing,  graduated  for  half 
its  length  or  more,  the  feathers  becoming  narrower  towards  tips  ;  wing 
short,  rounded,  primaries  exceeding  secondaries  by  much  less  than  length  of 
tarsus  ;  nostrils  covered  by  bristles ;  orbits  partly  naked  ;  feet  stout ;  wings 
and  tail  metallic. 

KEY  TO   SPECIES. 

1.    Bill  and  naked  skin  around  eyes  black.     .     .     .     hudsoiiica,  p.  270. 
1'.  Bill  and  naked  skin  around  eyes  yellow     ....      iiuttalli,  p.  271. 


270  CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

475.  Pica  pica  hudsonica  (Sab.).    BLACK-BILLED  MAGPIE. 

Adults.  —  Black,  varied  with  bronzy  iridescence,  except  for  white  belly 
and  wing  patches ;  tail  long  and  graduated ;  bill  and  naked  skin  of  orbital 
region  black.  Young:  head  without  bronzy  gloss.  Length:  17.40—21.75, 
wing  7.30-8.40,  tail  9.30-11.95,  exposed  culmen  1.15-1.42,  tarsus  1.70-L92. 

Distribution.  —  Resident,  except  perhaps  in  extreme  northern  part  of 
its  range,  from  Alaska  and  Hudson  Bay  to  northern  parts  of  Arizona  and 
New  Mexico  ;  and  from  western  Nebraska,  west  to  eastern  slopes  of  Sierra 
Nevada  and  Cascades. 

Nest.  — -  A  rnud  cup  lined  with  rootlets,  grass,  hair,  and  pine  needles, 
surrounded  by  a  globular  mass  of  coarse  sticks  sometimes  as  big  as  a  bushel 
basket,  placed  usually  3  to  20  feet  from  the  ground  in  willows,  thorn  bushes, 
bullberry  bushes,  small  oaks,  cottonwoods,  and  pines.  Eggs :  usually  7, 
grayish,  heavily  and  evenly  blotched  with  brown,  often  almost  hiding  the 
ground  color. 

Food.  —  Small  mammals,  birds,  their  young  and  eggs,  and  crawfish,  but 
mainly  insects,  including  a  destructive  black  cricket,  grasshoppers,  grubs, 
and  larvae,  together  with  some  fruit,  berries,  and  green  leaves. 

The  magpie  is  a  feature  of  the  landscape,  whether  seen  in  flight 
as  a  black  air-ship  with  white  side-wheelers  and  long  black  rudder 
moving  against  a  background  of  red  cliffs  in  the  Garden  of  the  Gods, 
or  seen  standing  as  a  lay  figure  on  a  stone  wall  in  a  Mormon  village. 
There  is  always  a  freedom  and  largeness  about  his  proceedings. 
Sometimes  he  will  take  wing  so  near  that  you  see  the  green  gloss  on 
his  back,  flying  with  even  water  level  flight  far  and  away  till  he 
becomes  a  black  dot  and  disappears  beyond  your  field  of  vision.  His 
masterful,  positive  character  is  not  lost  even  when  he  goes  squacking 
about  his  daily  business.  Whatever  he  does  or  says  he  claims  the 
attention  of  the  neighborhood,  except  when  he  has  a  secret  to  hide, 
when  he  is  as  silent  and  wary  as  any  wise  parent. 

Like  all  great  talkers  the  magpies  are  fond  of  company  and  where 
one  is  seen  others  are  usually  within  calling  distance.  Their  notes 
have  a  conversational  tone  and  varied  inflections  and  it  seems  small 
wonder  that  they  learn  to  talk  when  kept  in  confinement. 

They  are  keen  observers  and  eager  investigators  of  anything  new 
that  does  not  appear  dangerous.  If  a  line  of  traps  are  set  through 
the  sagebrush  for  small  rodents  and  marked  with  bits  of  cotton  on 
bush  tops,  the  cotton  soon  catches  their  eyes  and  is  promptly  inves- 
tigated. If  some  of  the  traps  have  caught  meadow  mice  they  are 
carried  off  to  a  convenient  place,  the  mice  eaten  and  the  traps  left  — 
sometimes  causing  a  slight  unpleasantness  between  magpie  and 
mammalogist.  In  cases  where  the  birds  are  common  they  take  up 
the  traps  so  systematically  that  the  collector  has  to  leave  his  line 
unmarked  or  devise  a  method  obscure  enough  to  escape  their  keen 
eyes.  A  flock  of  six  or  eight  once  came  to  examine  into  the  blankets 
of  a  naturalist  sleeping  on  a  haycock.  Several  of  them  lit  on  his  head 
and  one  was  so  absorbed  in  its  explorations  that  the  awakened  col- 
lector caught  it  in  his  hand. 


MAGPIE 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  271 

The  birds  are  quick  to  take  advantage  of  circumstances,  and  have 
been  found  living  largely  on  dead  fish  at  Lake  Winnemucca,  Nevada, 
feeding  with  the  chickens  in  Utah,  and  during  deep  snows  in  Ore- 
gon keeping  their  toes  warm  by  spending  a  large  share  of  their  time 
perched  on  the  backs  of  horses  and  mules. 

476.  Pica  nuttalli  Aud.    YELLOW-BILLED  MAGPIE. 

Similar  to  the  P.  p.  hudsonica,  but  smaller  and  with  bill  and  naked 
skin  back  of  eye  bright  yellow.  Length:  16-18,  wing  7.20-7.70,  tail  9.30- 
10.30,  exposed  culmen  1.04-1.17,  tarsus  1.63-1.89. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  California  west  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  moun- 
tains from  Sacramento  Valley  south  to  about  latitude  34°,  locally  distrib- 
uted. 

Nest.  —  Similar  to  that  of  hudsonica,  with  the  addition  of  cow  manure 
and  inner  bark  of  the  cottonwood  ;  placed  in  oaks,  sycamores,  cotton- 
woods,  and  willows,  usually  30  to  60  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs :  about 
7,  like  those  of  the  black-billed,  but  a  trifle  smaller  and  with  a  more  green- 
ish tinge. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  ants,  worms,  grubs,  offal,  carrion,  seeds,  and  waste 
grain. 

In  a  restricted  area  of  the  San  Joaquin  and  Sacramento  valleys  in 
California  some  of  the  yellow-billed  magpies  are  still  left,  but  they 
are  so  much  in  evidence  and  afford  such  a  tempting  target  that  the 
days  of  the  little  band  are  probably  numbered.  In  June,  1900,  in 
the  grain  and  oak  fields  of  the  Sierra  foothills  we  counted  nineteen 
of  the  splendid  fellows  flying  about  in  one  meadow  near  the  mouth  of 
a  low  canyon.  They  are  tame  and  familiar  if  their  suspicions  are 
not  aroused,  but  let  a  man  appear  with  a  gun  and  they  are  over  the 
treetops  and  away. 

They  are  as  bold,  as  shy,  and  as  garrulous  as  their  black-billed 
cousins  across  the  range.  Half  a  dozen  in  a  tree  of  over-ripe  figs 
remind  one  of  the  chatter  of  an  afternoon  tea. 

GENUS  CYANOCITTA. 

General  Characters.  —  Conspicuously  crested  ;  nostrils  concealed  ;  wings 
and  tail  about  equal,  rounded  ;  hind  claw  equaling  or  exceeding  its  toe  in 
length. 

KEY  TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Under  parts  whitish cristata,  p.  271. 

1'.  Under  parts  blue. 

2.  With  white  spot  over  eye. 

3.  Belly  pale  blue diademata,  p.  273. 

3'.  Belly  dark  blue annectens,  p.  273. 

2'.  Without  white  spot  over  eye. 

3.  Under  parts  dark  blue stelleri,  p.  272. 

3'.  Under  parts  light  blue frontalis,  p.  273. 

477.  Cyanocitta  cristata  (Linn.).    BLUE  JAY. 

Adults.  —  Crest  and  back  light  purplish  blue;   wings   and  tail  blue, 


272  CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

barred  with  black ;  throat  gray  or  purplish  white  ;  middle  of  breast  and 

sides  grayish  or  brownish,  belly 
white  ;  white  on  outer  tail  feath- 
er an  inch  or  more  deep.  Young : 
similar,  but  colors  duller.  Length  : 
11.00-12.50,  wing  5.00-5.70,  tail 
5.05-5.70,  exposed  culmen  .93- 
1.06. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  east- 
ern North  America  from  about 
latitude  52°  south  to  Florida,  and 
from  the  Atlantic  west  to  eastern 
parts  of  Nebraska,  Kansas,  and 
From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  northern  Texas. 

Fig.  345.    Blue  Jay.  .    Nest-  —  Usually  in  trees,  often 

in  orchards  about  houses,  made 

largely  of  dried  twigs  and  rootlets.    Eggs :  3  to  6,  pale  olive,  greenish,  or 
buffy,  sparsely  spotted  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Largely  mast ;  also  corn,  grain,  grasshoppers,  and  caterpillars. 

Observers  in  the  western  parts  of  Kansas,  Nebraska,  and  Texas 
may  be  fortunate  enough  to  know  the  spirited  eastern  blue  jay.  In 
voice  and  general  habits  he  resembles  his  western  relatives,  though 
perhaps  more  awake  to  the  advantages  to  be  had  from  human 
neighborhood  when  snow  covers  the  acorns  and  nuts  on  which  he 
feeds. 

478.  Cyanocitta  stelleri  (Gmel).    STELLER  JAY. 

Adults.  —  Fore  parts  of  body  dull  blackish,  changing  to  pale  blue  on 
lower  back  and  belly;  wings  and  tail  purplish  blue,  barred  with  black. 
Young  :  similar,  but  duller  ;  wing  bars  faint  or  wanting.  Length  :  12-13, 
wing  5.55-6.20,  tail  5.30-6.35,  bill  .96-1.18. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  from  Cook 
Inlet  south  along  coast  to  Monterey,  California,  and  east  to  the  Cascades. 

Nest.  —  25  to  50  feet  from  the  ground,  usually  in  firs,  but  sometimes 
other  trees,  vines,  and  bushes,  made  of  twigs,  moss,  and  dry  grass,  ce- 
mented with  mud  and  lined  with  fine  roots.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  pale  bluish 
green,  spotted  or  blotched  over  whole  surface  with  brown  and  lavender, 
thickest  about  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  In  winter  largely  pine  seeds,  though  almost  anything  is  eaten. 

There  are  many  handsome  blue-jays,  but  stelleri  in  its  numerous 
forms,  with  its  blue  body  and  high  crest,  is  one  of  the  lords  of  its 
race,  fittingly  associated  with  the  noblest  forests  of  the  west. 

The  Steller  jay  (stelleri)  may  be  found  at  Cloud  Cap  Inn  on  Mt. 
Hood,  feeding  with  the  Clark  crows  and  Oregon  jays,  and  gives  a 
touch  of  color  to  the  solemn  redwood  forests  of  California  as  well 
as  the  dark,  jungle-like  woods  of  the  Puget  Sound  country.  The 
blue-fronted  (stelleri  frontalis)  enlivens  the  forests  of  the  Sierra, 
while  the  long-crested  (stelleri  diademata)  lives  in  the  southern 
Rocky  Mountains,  wandering  about»in  the  mountain  ranges  of  New 
Mexico  and  the  pine  forests  of  Arizona.  At  Cloudcroft,  New  Mexico. 


ttrfff. 


LONG-CRESTED  JAY 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  273 

it  gleans  from  abandoned  camps,  and  in  Arizona,  though  resident 
up  to  10,000  feet,  is  often  seen  on  the  high  rail  fences  built  to  keep 
range  cattle  within  bounds. 

Chack-ah,  chack-ah,  chack-ah,  chock,  the  jay  squalls,  jerking  his 
tail  and  dashing  about,  soaring  down  with  short  wings  wide-spread, 
lighting  on  the  side  of  a  tree  to  inspect  the  cracks  in  the  bark,  or 
dropping  to  the  ground  to  hunt  for  fallen  mast. 

In  flight  the  crest  is  sometimes  lowered  almost  to  the  horizontal, 
but,  as  a  small  Arizona  observer  noted,  "  when  they  holler  they 
stick  that  right  straight  up."  This  '  hollering '  includes  a  squeal 
which  is  so  close  to  that  of  the  red-tailed  hawk  as  to  be  a  good  test 
to  the  ear  of  the  observer. 

478a.  C.  S-  frontalis  (Ridgw.).    BLUE-FRONTED  JAY.* 

Adults.  —  Fore  parts  of  body  brownish  slate,  with  blue  tinge  to  crest  and 
blue  streaks  on  forehead ;  wings  and  tail  dark  blue,  barred ;  rump  and 
under  parts  dull  turquoise.  Length :  11.75-13.00,  wing  5.50-6. 10,  tail  5.10- 
5.75,  exposed  culmen  1.00-1.20. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  coast  ranges  and  Sierra  Nevada  of  California 
and  western  Nevada,  from  Fort  Crook  south  to  northern  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  Like  that  of  stelleri  usually  in  firs,  cedars,  and  pines,  but  some- 
times in  snowsheds  and  natural  cavities  in  trees  and  stubs,  from  4  to  50 
feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  like  those  of  stelleri. 

Food.  —  Acorns,  pine  seeds,  and  a  variety  of  animal  and  vegetable  mat- 
ter. 

478b.  C.  s.  diadem  at  a  (Bonap.).    LONG-CRESTED  JAY. 

Like  C.  s.  annectens,  but  white  spot  over  eye  always  conspicuous  and 
streaking  on  forehead  whitish;  black  of  head  in  sharp  contrast  to  gray  of 
back ;  chest  bluish  ;  blue  of  belly  and  rump  dull  turquoise  as  in  frontalis. 
Length:  11.75-13.75,  wing  5.65-6.40,  tail  5.25-6.25,  exposed  culmen  1.03- 
1.14. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  in  the  south- 
ern Rocky  Mountains  from  southern  Wyoming  south  to  Zacatecas,  Mex- 
ico, west  to  Uintah  Mountains,  Utah,  and  high  mountains  of  Arizona. 

Nest.  —  Similar  to  that  of  stelleri,  usually  in  small  bushy  pines  or  other 
conifers  8  to  15  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  similar  to  those  of 
stelleri. 

Food.  —  Partly  grasshoppers  and  pine  seeds. 

478c.  C.  S.  annectens  (Baird).    BLACK-HEADED  JAY. 

Head  black,  back  slaty,  blue  of  under  parts  dark  as  in  stelleri ;  streaks 
on  forehead  bluish  white,  sometimes  indistinct ;  small  white  spot  over  eye. 

Remarks.  —  The  black-headed  has  the  general  body  colors  of  the  Steller 
jay,  with  the  eye  spot  and  streaks  approaching  those  of  the  long-crested. 
Length:  12-50-13.75,  wing  5.90-6.60,  tail  5.80-6.65,  exposed  culmen  .97- 
1.08. 

1  Cyanocitta  stelleri  carbonacea  Grinnell. 

Like  frontalis,  but  darker,  frontal  blue  spots  restricted ;  head  darker  than  back,  back 
warm  slate  gray. 

Distribution.  —Coast  of  California,  Monterey  County,  north  to  Oregon;  Oregon  west 
to  Cascades,  including  east  slope  of  Cascades.  (The  Condor,  ii.  127  ;  iv.  41.) 


274  CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Canadian  zone  in  British  Columbia  and  the 
northern  Rocky  Mountain  region,  south  to  the  Wasatch  Mountains,  and 
from  Wyoming  west  to  eastern  Oregon  and  Washington. 

2?est.  —  As  described  by  Ridgway,  base  of  coarse  fir  sticks  with  mud 
bowl  lined  with  fine  wiry  roots,  saddled  on  a  horizontal  branch,  15  feet 
from  the  ground,  containing  3  eggs,  similar  to  those  of  stelleri. 

GENUS   APHELOCOMA. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  not  crested,  tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe 
with  claw. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Tail  shorter  than  wing. 

2.  Tail  5.50  or  less couchi,  p.  276. 

2'.  Tail  more  than  5.50 arizonae,  p.  276. 

1  .  Tail  longer  than  wing. 

2.  Back  slaty  gray.     East  of  Sierra  Nevada .     .  woodhouseii,  p.  274. 
2'.  Back  brown. 
3.  Sides  of  head  blackish. 

4.  Larger  and  lighter.   Sierra  Nevada  to  Pacific. 

californica,  p.  275. 

4'.  Smaller  and  darker.   Southern  coast  district   .     obscura,  p.  276. 
3'.  Sides  of  head  blue. 

4.  Upper  parts,  except  back,  bright  blue. 

5.  Chest  broadly  streaked  with  white     .     .     .  cyanotis,  p.  274. 

5'.  Chest  obsoletely  streaked  with  grayish  .     .      texana,  p.  275. 

4'.  Upper  parts,  except  back,  dark  purplish  blue,  insularis,  p.  276. 

480.  Aphelocoma  woodhouseii  (Baird).    WOODHOUSE  JAY. 

Upper  parts  dull  blue  except  for  slate  gray  back  and  scapulars  ;  under 
parts  gray  except  for  blue  tail  and  under  tail  coverts,  and  throat,  which  is 
nhitish  streaked  with  dark  gray.  Young  :  back  darker  than  in  young  of 
californica  ;  under  parts  dark  gray  instead  of  white.  Length  :  11.50-12.75, 
wing  4.70-5.35,  tail  5.20-6.20,  bill  .93.-!. 06. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  from  southeastern  Ore- 
gon south  along  the  east  side  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  to  northern  Mexico,  and 
east  to  Montana,  Colorado,  and  Texas. 

Nest.  —  Found  at  Prescott,  Arizona,  a  small,  slight  platform  of  sticks 
lined  with  fine  roots  and  horsehair,  placed  in  the  centre  of  a  thick  bush 
about  5  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  :  3  to  6,  pale  green,  sparingly  flecked 
over  the  whole  surface  with  irregular  brown  and  lavender  markings, 
usually  heaviest  about  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Varied,  including  insects,  acorns,  and  pine  nuts. 

The  habits  of  the  Woodhouse  jay  are  similar  to  those  of  the  Cali- 
fornia jay  (see  p.  275). 

480.1.  Aphelocoma  cyanotis  Eidgw.    BLUE-EARED  JAY. 

Head,  wings,  and  tail,  bright  blue ;  back  dark  slaty  broivn,  washed  with 
blue  ;  sides  of  head  blue  like  top  of  head  ;  under  parts  light  grayish  blue, 
broadly  streaked  with  white  ;  lower  part  of  breast  brownish  gray,  changing 
to  white  on  belly.  Length  (skin) :  11.50,  wing  5.40,  tail  5.70,  exposed  cul- 
men  .95. 

Distribution.  —  Mexican  tablelands  north  casually  to  Sutton  County, 
Texas. 


WOODHOUSE  JAY 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  275 

Nest.  —  A  loosely  constructed  mass  of  thorn  brush  lined  with  finer  mate- 
rials. Eggs:  greenish  blue,  heavily  spotted  with  brown  and  lavender, 
especially  at  larger  end. 

480.2.  Aphelocoma  texana  Eidgw.    TEXAN  JAY. 

Like  cyanotis,  but.  white  superciliary  more  distinct,  under  parts  paler  and 
browner  gray,  lower  throat  and  chest  with  obsolete  grayish  streaks  instead 
of  blue  streaks. 

Remarks.  —  Texana  differs  from  woodhouseii  in  obsolete  streakings  of 
chest,  paler,  browner  breast,  and  white  under  tail  coverts. 

Distribution.  —  Southwestern  Texas,  from  Concho  and  Kerr  counties  west 
to  the  Davis  Mountains. 

481.  Aphelocoma  calif ornica  (Vig.).    CALIFORNIA  JAY. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  blue  except  for  brownish  back  and  scapulars ; 
under  parts  white  except  for  bluish  streaking  on  throat  and  partial  blue 
and  brownish  necklace ;  white  superciliary  clearly  defined ;  sides  of  head 
blackish.  Young :  head  only  tinged  with  blue,  nearly  uniform  with  brown- 
ish back ;  throat  white,  unstreaked ;  chest  washed  with  brownish  gray  ;  belly 
whitish.  Length  :  11.50-12.25,  wing  4.70-5.20,  tail  5.45-6.10,  bill  .87-1.03. 

Remarks.  —  Calif  ornica  and  woodhouseii  are  easily  told  apart,  as  cali- 
f  ornica  is  whitish  instead  of  brownish  gray  below,  and  brown  instead  of 
grayish  on  back. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  region  from  the  Columbia  River  southward, 
including  both  slopes  of  the  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nevada,  to  northern  Lower 
California. 

Nest.  —  Interlaced  twigs,  mixed  sometimes  with  moss,  stubble,  and  grass, 
surrounding  an  inner  nest  of  fine  roots  sometimes  mixed  with  horsehair ; 
placed  usually  in  low  bushes,  but  also  in  trees  3  to  30  feet  from  the  ground, 
generally  not  far  from  water.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  buffy  or  green,  varying 
greatly  in  shade,  the  buffy  ones  spotted  and  blotched  with  brown,  the 
green  with  markings  generally  scattered  over  the  entire  surface. 

Food.  —  Bird's  eggs,  insects,  acorns,  pine  nuts,  wild  fruits,  and  berries; 
also,  about  settlements,  hens'  eggs  and  grain. 

In  coming  down  the  Sierra  Nevada  you  sometimes  find  that  the 
range  of  the  blue -fronted  is  overlapped  by  that  of  the  California  jay ; 
but  in  the  main  you  see  the  dark-crested  frontalis  sailing  down 
from  the  fir-tops,  and  hear  the  light-colored,  flat-headed  California 
jays  squawking  through  the  digger  pines  and  chaparral  of  the  low 
country,  where  the  valley  quail  has  replaced  the  mountain  quail. 
'Blue  squawkers'  the  birds  are  called  locally,  and  the  name  seems 
most  appropriate  when  the  hot  thick  air  over  the  oaks  and  chaparral 
is  vibrating  with  their  cries.  The  Aphelocoma  voice  differs  strikingly 
from  that  of  frontalis,  having  a  flat  tone  and  being  uttered  with  un- 
seemly haste.  Its  notes  vary  greatly  in  expression  and  are  so  em- 
phatic and  often  peremptory  that  one  cannot  doubt  that  something 
important  is  being  said.  A  favorite  cry,  used  apparently  to  rouse 
attention,  is  a  quick  "  quay -quay-quay-quay-quay-quay-quay  "  ^An- 
other still  nlore  emphatic  one  is  boy'-ee  boy'-ee,  while  an  inquiring 
r-keef  is  often  heard.  Sometimes  when  a  jay  flies  down  to  a 


276  CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

companion  it  gives  its  quay-quay-quay-quay-quay  and  is  answered  by 
a  high  keyed  queep-queep-queep-queep  —  however  that  may  be  inter- 
preted. 

48  lb.    A.  0.  obscura  Anthony.     BELDINGJAY. 

Like  californica,  but  smaller  (except  bill)  and  darker. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  coast  district  of  California  to  San  Gabriel  and 
San  Bernardino  Mountains  ;  south  to  Lower  California. 

481.1.  Aphelocoma  insularis  Hensh.    SANTA  CRUZ  JAY. 

Upper  parts  dark  purplish  blue  except  for  dark  brown  back  and  scapu- 
lars; breast  and  sides  brownish,  under  tail  coverts  blue.  Length:  11.50- 
12.25,  wing  5.20-5.30,  tail  6.05-6.25,  bill  1.15-1.30. 

Distribution.  —  Santa  Cruz  Island,  southern  California. 

482.  Aphelocoma  sieberii  arizonae  Eidgiv.    ARIZONA  JAY. 

Upper  parts  dull  blue,  grayish  on  back,  and  sometimes  brownish  between 
shoulders ;  under  parts  grayish  white,  sometimes  brownish  or  buffy  gray  ; 
tail  decidedly  rounded.  Length:  11.50-13.00,  wing  6.10-6.50,  tail  5.65- 
6.10. 

Remarks.  —  This  and  couchi  are  the  only  United  States  members  of  the 
genus  Aphelocoma  with  wings  longer  than  tail. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  from  southern  New 
Mexico  and  Arizona  south  to  northern  Sonora  and  Chihuahua. 

Nest.  — In  oaks,  12  to  30  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  sticks  and  root- 
lets, sometimes  lined  with  horsehair.  Eggs :  4  to  7,  plain  green. 

Food.  —  Largely  acorns ;  but  also  grasshoppers  and  other  insects,  wild 
fruits  and  seeds. 

The  Arizona  jay  is  an  abundant  resident  of  the  live-oak  belt  of 
the  Chiricahua,  Huachuca,  Santa  Catalina,  and  some  of  the  other 
Arizona  mountains,  from  an  altitude  of  from  3000  to  7000  feet.  In 
severe  winter  weather  the  jays  sometimes  come  about  houses,  and 
can  be  attracted  by  bones  or  meat  hung  on  trees. 

482a.  Aphelocoma  couchi  (Baird).    COUCH  JAY. 

Adults.  —  Back  and  scapulars  dull  grayish  blue  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  and 
sides  of  head  bright  azure  blue  ;  throat  dull  white  ;  breast  brownish  gray  ; 
belly  and  under  tail  coverts  pure  white.  Length:  11.50,  wing  5.80-5.JK), 
tail  5.30-5.40,  graduated  for  about  .30,  bill  1.05-1.10. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  Mexico,  extending  to  western  Texas  in  the  Chisos 
Mountains. 

Nest.  —  Made  of  sticks,  lined  with  rootlets.     Eggs  :  4,  robin's-egg  blue. 

In  the  Chisos  Mountains,  Texas,  Mr.  Bailey,  Mr.  Fuertes,  and  Mr. 
Oberholser  found  the  Couch  jay,  which  was  previously  known  only 
in  Mexico,  common  from  the  lower  edge  of  the  oaks  and  junipers  to 
the  top  of  the  range.  It  was  especially  abundant  in  the  shady  gulches 
near  water.  Like  most  other  jays,  though  noisy  and  conspicuous, 
it  was  shy  and  suspicious.  During  the  first  half  of  June  old  and 
young  were  flying  together,  busily  catching  and  eating  the  large  cica- 
das that  swarmed  in  the  oaks. 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  277 

GENUS   XANTHOURA. 

483.  Xanthoura  luxuosa  glaucescens  Eidgw.    GREEN  JAY. 

Adults.  —  Throat  and  sides  of  head  jet  black,  in  sharp  contrast  to  pale 
green  or  yellowish  green  of  under  parts ;  top  of  head  and  malar  streak 
bluish  purple,  with  touch  of  white  on  forehead ;  rest  of  upper  parts  bluish 
green,  usually  extensively  tinged  with  pale  blue ;  tail  with  middle  feathers 
bluish  green,  outer  feathers  pale  yellow.  Young :  similar,  but  duller,  head 
greenish  blue  instead  of  purple  ;  upper  parts  apple  green  without  bluish 
tinge  ;  under  parts  buffy,  faintly  tinged  with  green.  Length:  11-12,  wing 
4.40-4.80,  tail  5.10-5.80. 

Distribution.  —  From  Valley  of  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  in  Texas  south  to 
Vera  Cruz  and  Puebla. 

Nest .  —  Concealed  in  thickets,  made  of  thorny  twigs  sparingly  lined  with 
rootlets,  moss,  grass,  and  hair.  Eggs :  usually  4,  grayish,  greenish,  or 
buffy,  marked  with  lilac  and  brown,  massed  around  the  larger  end. 

GENUS  PERISOREUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  not  crested ;  plumage  soft,  full,  and  loose  ; 
bill  short  and  wide  at  base,  nostrils  exposed ;  wings  and  tail  about  equal, 
tail  graduated. 

KEY  TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Whole  top  of  head  white     .     . capitalis,  p.  277. 

V .  Top  of  head  black  except  for  white  forehead. 

2.  Back  brownish obscurus,  p.  278. 

2'.  Back  gray.     East  of  Coast  and  Cascade  ranges  .  .    griseus,  p.  279. 

484a.  Perisoreus  canadensis  capitalis  Eidgw.    ROCKY  MOUN- 
TAIN JAY. 

Adults.  —  Top  of  head  white  shading  to  dark  gray  on  back  of  neck ;  rest 
of  upper  parts  light  slate 
gray  ;  tail  tipped  with  white  ; 
throat  whitish  ;  rest  of  under 
parts  brownish  gray.  Young  : 
top  of  head  dull  white,  tinged 
with  grayish  brown.  Length  : 
11.25-13.00,  wing  5.90-6.30. 
tail  5.80-6.35,  bill  .97-1.08. 

Distribution.  —  From  Brit- 
ish America  south  to  Arizona 
and  New  Mexico  in  the 
Rocky  Mountain  regions. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by 
Dr.  Brewer,  of  pine  twigs 
holding  a  compactly  woven 
inner  nest  of  stems,  plant 

fibers,  feathers,  bark,  and  down,  placed  on  the  horizontal  branch  of  a 
pine  40  feet  from  the  ground,  containing  3  eggs,  grayish  white  blotched 
with  purplish  brown,  in  two,  only  around  the  larger  end,  in  one,  over  the 
entire  egg. 

Food.  —  Meat,  inseets,  acorns,  and  whatever  offers. 

The  Rocky  Mountain  jay,  like  the  other  species  of  the  Perisoreus 
genus,  is  notoriously  a  camp  bird.  As  it  lives  all  the  year  in  the  deep 


278  CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

coniferous  forests  where  it  is  rarely  shot  at,  it  seems  to  regard  the  few 
campers  who  come  to  its  preserves  as  fellow  foresters  who  should 
naturally  share  their  living  with  it.  The  jays  have  been  known  to 
carry  these  reprehensible  socialistic  sentiments  so  far  as  to  fly  down 
on  the  carcass  of  a  deer  which  a  man  was  skinning.  At  such  a  time 
Mr.  Anthony  has  had  them  light  on  his  head  and  back,  uttering  a 
low,  plaintive  cry.  In  the  Yellowstone  National  Park,  where  no  shoot- 
ing is  allowed,  a  band  of  the  big  fluffy  birds  came  trooping  into  Mr. 
Bailey's  camp  to  breakfast  with  him  every  morning.  Once  they 
came  before  the  camp  was  awake  and  flew  around  calling  and  scold- 
ing as  if  angry  that  the  people  were  not  up.  One  bird  dropped 
softly  down  on  the  blankets  of  one  of  the  party  and,  while  the  man 
held  his  breath  and  looked  at  it  out  of  one  eye,  sat  there  calmly 
glancing  around  for  breakfast. 

485.  Perisoreus  obscurus  Eidgw.    OREGON  JAY. 

Adults.  —  Like  P.  c.  capitalis,  but  white  only  on  forehead  ;  top  of  head 

and  back  of  neck  blackish,  and  rest 
of  upper  parts  brownish  gray ; 
feathers  of  back  with  white  shaft 
streaks  ;  tail  only  slightly  if  at  all 
tipped  with  white ;  under  parts 
white.  Young  :  dull  sooty  brown, 
darkest  on  head,  browner  below. 
Length  :  9.50-11.00,  wing  5.15-5.75, 
tail  5.20-5.90,  bill  .S4-.99. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  higher 
mountains  of  northern  California, 
Oregon,  Washington,  and  part  of 
British  Columbia. 

Nest.  —  Outside    of    interlaced 
twigs,   dry   grass,   tree  moss,  and 
plant  fibers  ;  inside  dark  tree  moss ; 
Fig.  347.  placed  usually  in  a  high  bushy  fir. 

Eggs  :  4  or  5,  pearl  gray  or  green- 
ish gray,  spotted  with  lavender  and  gray. 

The  Oregon  and  Rocky  Mountain  jays  are  alike  in  habits.  The 
Oregon  bird  is  found  in  numbers  on  Mt.  Hood.  About  Government 
Camp  a  band  of  the  jays  visited  Mr.  Bailey's  camp,  and  the  men 
amused  themselves  at  the  jays'  expense  by  throwing  soggy  pancakes 
to  them.  The  birds  could  not  fly  off  with  the  heavy  cakes,  but  con- 
sidered them  such  unwonted  delicacies  that  they  would  drag  them 
around  over  the  ground  worrying  off  pieces  to  fly  away  with. 

At  Cloud  Cap  Inn  the  Oregon  jays  come  to  the  house  for  food  and 
water,  and  when  I  was  there  were  so  tame  that  by  coaxing  them 
with  a  plate  of  meat  I  was  able  to  photograph  them  only  four  feet 
away.  The  voices  of  the  jays  were  heard  around  the  log  house  from 
morning  till  night.  Their  notes  were  pleasantly  varied.  One  call 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  279 

was  remarkably  like  the  chirp  of  a  robin.  Another  of  the  common- 
est was  a  weak  and  rather  complaining  cry  repeated  several  times. 
A  sharply  contrasting  one  was  a  pure,  clear  whistle  of  one  note  fol- 
lowed by  a  three-syllabled  call  something  like  ka-we'  -ah.  The  regular 
rallying  cry  was  still  different,  a  loud  and  striking  two-syllabled  ka- 
whee. 

At  the  Inn  the  birds  spent  a  large  part  of  their  time  storing  food. 
Observers  who  are  in  the  woods  in  winter  should  try  to  find  if  such 
stores  are  utilized. 

485a.  P.  O.  griseus  Ridgw.     GRAY  JAY. 

Similar  to  the  Oregon  jay,  but  decidedly  larger  except  for  feet,  and 
much  grayer ;  back  dark  gray  instead  of  brown,  and  under  parts  grayish 
white  instead  of  brownish  white. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia  south  to  northern  California  east 
of  the  Coast  and  Cascade  ranges. 

GENUS  COKVUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  9  or 
more ;  long  and  pointed ;  tail  much 
shorter  than  wing;  bill  compressed, 
much  higher  than  broad  ;  nasal  bris- 
tles about  half  as  long  as  bill;  feet 
stout.  Fig:  348. 

KEY  TO  SPECIES. 

1.  Feathers  of  neck  gray  or  white  at  base. 

2.  Feathers  of  neck  pure  white  at  base    .     .     .  cryptoleucus,  p.  280. 
2'.  Feathers  of  neck  dull  gray  at  base. 

3.  Bill  larger,  tarsus  stouter.     Washington    .     .  principalis,  p.  280. 

3'.  Bill  smaller,  tarsus  more  slender sinuatus,  p.  279. 

1'.  Feathers  of  neck  not  gray  or  white  at  base. 

2.  Wing  10.05.    Sitka  to  Oregon caurinus,  p.  282. 

2'.  Wing  12.15 americanus,  p.  281. 

486.  Corvus  corax  sinuatus  (WagL).    AMERICAN  RAVEN. 

Black,  entire  plumage  glossed  with  lustrous  purplish,  tinged  with  dull 
greenish  on  belly ;  feathers  of  throat  lanceolate,  distinct  from  one  another ; 
feathers  of  neck  dull  gray  at  base;  nasal  tufts  covering  more  than  basal 
half  of  upper  mandible.  Length :  21.50-26.00,  wing  15.10-18.00,  tail  9-11, 
exposed  culmen  2.40-3.05. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  from  upper  border  of  arid  Tropical  to  Alpine 
zone  in  the  western  United  States  from  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the 
Pacific  coast,  and  from  Canada  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  cliffs,  a  mass  of  well-interlaced  sticks  lined  with 
cottonwood  bark,  moss,  cattle  hair,  and  wool.  Eggs :  5  to  7,  pea  green, 
olive,  or  drab,  usually  profusely  spotted  and  blotched  with  shades  of 
brown,  lavender,  and  drab. 

Food.  —  Principally  carrion,  dead  fish  and  frogs,  varied  with  rodents, 
mussels,  grasshoppers,  large  black  crickets,  and  worms. 

Where  tall,  bare  cliffs  rise  from  the  valleys  and  deep,  steep-walled 
canyons  cut  into  the  mountain  ranges,  the  hoarse  croaking  of  the 


280  CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

ravens  echoes  back  from  cliff  and  wall.  The  higher  and  more  inac- 
cessible the  cliff  and  the  more  barren  and  deserted  the  valley  below 
the  better  suited  are  the  ravens  and  the  more  freely  do  they  soar 
and  croak,  flying  singly  or  in  pairs,  up  and  down  along  the  face 
of  the  cliff  with  a  spirited  wildness  that  harmonizes  well  with  their 
background.  Suspicious,  wary  pirates  they  are,  always  on  the  de- 
fensive to  evade  attack,  keeping  well  out  of  rifle  range  of  man, 
and  often  forced  to  mount  to  almost  invisible  heights  to  avoid  mob- 
bing attacks  from  small  birds  that  seem  to  have  permanent  wrongs 
to  avenge. 

They  descend  to  lake  and  river  shores  for  dead  fish  or  whatever 
the  waves  wash  up  in  the  way  of  food,  make  a  few  meals  from  a 
dead  sheep,  feast  on  what  is  left  when  a  hunter  dresses  a  deer,  and 
are  accused  of  helping  out  their  varied  bill  of  fare  with  eggs  and 
young  from  any  birds'  nest  that  comes  handy.  Their  own  nests, 
placed  in  a  niche  half  way  up  some  perpendicular  cliff,  usually  bids 
defiance  to  all  enemies.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

48 6 a.  C.  c.  principalis  Eidgw.    NORTHERN  RAVEN. 

Like  the  American  raven,  but  larger,  with  larger  and  heavier  bill ;  tarsus 
shorter  and  stouter  ;  more  of  upper  part  concealed  by  feathering  of  thighs. 
Length:  22.00-26.50,  wing  16.50-18.00,  tail  9.20-10.50,  exposed  culmen 
2.65-3.45. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America  from  Greenland  west  to  Alaska, 
south  to  Washington,  northern  Michigan,  New  Yocii,  aud  Maine,  and  south 
in  the  mountains  to  North  Carolina. 

Nest.  —  On  cliffs  and  in  trees,  made  of  sticks  lined  with  seaweed,  grasses, 
mosses,  or  hair.  Eggs :  4  to  6,  greenish  or  drab,  usually  profusely  blotched 
and  spotted  with  browns,  drab,  and  lavender. 

Food.  —  Largely  fish  offal  and  refuse  ;  also  clams,  and  eggs  and  young 
of  waterfowl. 

The  northern  raven  resembles  the  American  in  general  habits  and 
call-notes,  and  is  usually  most  abundant  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  Indian  camps  on  the  seashore  or  on  the  banks  of  large  rivers  in 
the  interior. 

487.  Corvus  cryptoleucus  Couch.    WHITE-NECKED  RAVEN. 

Black,  upper  parts  glossed  with  purplish  ;  feathers  of  neck  pure  white  at 
base,  nasal  tufts  covering  more  than  basal  half  of  upper  mandible.  Length  : 
18.75-21.00,  wing  13.10-14.25,  tail  7.50-8.60,  exposed  culmen  2.00-2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Mainly  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  Texas  to  southern  Cali- 
fornia, and  from  western  Kansas  and  southern  Colorado  south  through 
northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Poorly  made,  usually  of  thorny  twigs  lined  with  yucca  fibers, 
deer  hair,  rabbit  fur,  bark,  grass,  or  moss ;  placed  only  7  to  20  feet  from 
the  ground,  often  in  a  yucca  top.  Eggs  :  3  to  8,  green,  with  longitudinal 
marks  of  gray,  brown,  and  lavender,  sometimes  partly  hidden  by  brown 
spots  and  blotches. 

Food.  —  Principally  animal  matter,  including  cicadas  ;  also  refuse  grain. 


NORTHERN  RAVEN 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  281 

The  white-necked  raven  is  a  typical  bird  of  the  hot  Lower  Sono- 
ran  deserts,  where  it  seems  permanently  associated  with  tall  yuccas, 
juicy-fruited  cactus;  and  the  thousand  thorny  things  of  the  half- 
barren  valleys.  Half  crow  and  half  raven  in  size,  voice,  and  habits, 
cryptoleucus  is  still  readily  distinguished  from  either  by  both  size 
and  voice.  Social  in  disposition,  the  birds  gather  in  crow-like  flocks 
in  winter  and  feed  about  stockyards  and  corrals  and  even  in  city 
streets,  where  they  are  surprisingly  tame  considering  their  shyness 
outside.  Even  in  the  breeding  season  they  are  often  seen  in  small 
companies  on  the  mesas  foraging  for  food  or  mobbing  a  pair  of  the 
big,  hoarse-  voiced  sinuatm  which  have  inadvertently  entered  their 
domain.  But  more  commonly  they  are  seen  in  pairs  flying  low  over 
the  cactus  and  yucca  tops. 

So  partial  are  they  to  the  tall  bayoneted  yuccas  for  nesting  sites 
that  in  western  Texas  few  of  these  tree-like  growths  that  have 
reached  a  height  of  ten  or  twelve  feet  have  escaped  bearing  one  or 
more  loads  of  sticks.  VERNON  BAILEY. 


488.  Corvus  americanus  And.    AMERICAN 

Black,  whole  plumage  glossed  with  violet,  more  strongly  on  upper  parts  ; 
feathers  of  throat  short,  blended.  Length:  17-21,  wing  11.90-13.25,  tail 
6.90-8.00,  exposed  culmen  1.80-2.05. 

Distribution.  —  North  American  continent,  except  extreme  arctic  re- 
gions, and  Florida  in  summer  ;  south  to  northern  Mexico. 

Nest  .  —  In  trees,  bulky,  of  sticks,  weed  stalks,  and  other  coarse  ma- 
terials, lined  with  roots,  grass,  leaves,  straw,  wool,  or  hair.  Eggs  :  4  to  8, 
from  pale  bluish  green  to  olive  green  or  olive  buff,  with  irregular  spots 
or  blotches  in  grays  and  browns. 

Food.  —  Mice,  rabbits,  gophers,  eggs  and  young  of  other  birds,  grasshop- 
pers, weevils,  cutworms,  and  many  injurious  insects;  also  graih  and  fruit. 

The  crow  excites  interest  from  many  points  of  view.  As  an  in- 
dividual his  droll  originality  and  keen  intelligence  attract  the  bird 
student,  as  a  social  animal  his  famous  roosts  are  a  seven  days'  won- 
der to  his  neighbors,  while  as  an  economic  problem  at  his  name 
friends  and  foes  rise  in  clamor.  His  roosts  sometimes  number  a 
population  of  300,000,  when  his  importance  as  a  seed-planter  may 
be  well  appreciated.  But  the  economic  point  at  issue  in  discussing 
him  is,  does  he  eat  more  grubs  than  corn?  Professor  Beal's  con- 
clusions, based  on  the  examination  of  large  numbers  of  crow  stom- 
achs, are  that  "  in  the  more  thickly  settled  parts  of  the  country  the 
crow  probably  does  more  good  than  harm,  at  least  when  ordinary 
precautions  are  taken  to  protect  newly  planted  corn  and  young 
poultry  against  his  depredations."  The  best  way  to  protect  corn- 

1  Corvus  americanus  hesperis  Ridgw.     CALIFORNIA  CROW. 
Smaller  than  americanus,  with  relatively  smaller  and  more  slender  bill. 
Distribution.  —  From  Puget  Sound  to  northern  Mexico  and  east  to  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains.   (Ridgway's  Manual  of  North  American  Birds,  p.  362.) 


282 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 


fields  is  to  soak  the  corn  in  tar  before  planting  and  scatter  untarred 
corn  on  the  borders  of  the  field.  A  few  quarts -pf  corn  used  in  this 
way  will  protect  a  field  of  eight  or  ten  acres.  This  is  worth  while 
because  of  the  amount  of  good  the  crow  does  by  destroying  insect 
pests  and  field  mice,  rabbits,  and  other  harmful  rodents. 

489.  Corvus  caurinus  Baird.    NORTHWEST  CROW. 

Black,  upper  parts  glossed  with  dull  violet.  Length :  16-17,  wing  10.10- 
11.50,  tail  5.90-7.00,  exposed  culmen  1.60-1.90. 

Remarks.  —  The  northwest  crow  differs  from  the  American  crow  in 
smaller  size. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  districts  from  Sitka  to  Oregon. 

Nest.  —  In  a  crotch,  10  to  18  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  fine  sticks 
and  mud,  lined  with  cedar  bark.  Eggs :  usually  4  or  5,  like  those  of 
americanus,  but  smaller. 

On  the  Makah  Indian  Reservation  at  Neah  Bay  near  Cape  Flat- 
tery I  was  much  impressed  by  the  sight  of  these  small  crows  fear- 
lessly walking  or  flying  about  on  the  beach  among  the  long-beaked 
boats  of  the  Indians,  where  they  picked  up  dead  fish  and  refuse 
with  the  assurance  of  chickens  or  pampered  pets.  They  are  said  to 
contend  with  the  dogs  for  possession  of  the  refuse  fish  on  the  beach, 
and  even  go  so  far  as  to  carry  off  fish  from  poles  on  the  housetops 
where  the  Indians  have  left  them  to  dry.  Their  good  offices  as 
scavengers  are  especially  appreciated  about  salmon  canneries  and 
rivers  when  the  salmon  are  running. 

GENUS   NUCIFRAGA. 

Submenus  Picicorvus. 
491.  Nucifraga  columbiana  (Wits.).    NUTCRACKER. 

Bill  cylindrical,  nostrils  concealed  by  a  tuft  of  feathers  ;  wings  long  and 

pointed,  folding  to  the  end  of 
tail ;  tail  little  over  half  as  long 
as  wing ;  tarsus  shorter  than 
middle  toe  and  claw ;  claws 
large,  sharp,  and  much  curved. 

Adults.  —  Body  ash  gray,  whiter 
on  forehead  and  chin  ;  wings 
black,  with  white  patch  on  sec- 
ondaries ;  tail  with  middle  feath- 
ers black,  outer  ones  white. 
Young :  similar,  but  colors  duller 
and  upper  parts  brownish  gray  ; 
under  parts  brownish  ash  indis- 
tinctly barred.  Length:  12-13, 
wing  7.10-8.00,  tail  5.10-5.40. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Cana- 
dian and  Hudsonian  zones  in  the 
mountainous    parts    of    western 
North  America  from  Alaska  south  to  New  Mexico  and  Arizona,  and  from 


From  Biological  Survey,  17.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 
Fig.  349. 


CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.  283 

the  Black  Hills  and  eastern  slopes  of  the  rocky  Mountains  to  the  Pacific. 
Casual  from  Dakota  through  Kansas.  Missouri,  and  Arkansas. 

Nest.  —  In  evergreens  8  to  40  feet  from  the  ground,  composed  of  twigs 
and  white  sage,  bound  together  by  strips  of  inner  bark,  lined  with  fine 
strips  of  bark,  grasses,  and  pine  needles.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  pale  green,  mi- 
nutely and  sparingly  marked  with  brown,  gray,  and  lavender,  either  most 
heavily  around  the  larger  end,  evenly  distributed,  or  with  the  lower  half 
unspotted. 

Food.  —  In  winter,  seeds  of  conifers  ;  at  other  seasons,  berries,  lupine 
seeds,  insect  larvae,  butterflies,  grasshoppers,  beetles,  and  the  destructive 
black  cricket.  The  young  are  fed  on  hulled  pine  seeds. 

What  an  independent,  positive  character  the  nutcracker  is!  In  the 
mountains  the  sound  of  his  rattling  kar'r'r,  kar'r'r,  as  he  comes 
flying  in  with  strong,  free  flight,  leading  a  black  and  white  liveried 
band  through  the  treetops,  always  stirs  the  blood  with  memories 
and  anticipations,  for  he  is  associated  with  the  mountain-tops,  where 
the  conies  bleat  and  the  glacial  streams  flow  only  when  the  sun  is 
high. 

Living  mainly  on  the  crests  of  the  ranges,  the  birds  fly  to  the 
high  peaks  to  get  the  first  rays  of  the  sun,  and  when  warmed  go  for 
food  and  water  to  lower  slopes.  Their  method  of  getting  down  is 
startling  at  first  sight.  Launching  out  from  a  peak  with  bill  pointed 
downward  and  wings  closed  they  drop  like  a  bullet  for  a  thousand 
feet  to  the  brook  where  they  wish  to  drink.  Sometimes  they  make 
the  descent  at  one  long  swoop,  at  other  times  in  a  series  of  pitches, 
each  time  checking  their  fall  by  opening  their  wings  and  letting 
themselves  curve  upward  before  the  next  straight  drop.  They  fall 
with  such  a  high  rate  of  speed  that  when  they  open  their  wings 
there  is  an  explosive  burst  which  echoes  from  the  canyon  walls. 

On  Mt.  Hood  the  Clarke  crows  stay  with  the  Oregon  jays  around 
Cloud  Cap  Inn,  under  the  peak.  On  Mt.  Shasta  a  few  of  them  come 
into  the  fir  belt  as  low  as  5750  feet,  but  while  we  were  there  the 
majority  we  saw  were  with  the  alpine  hemlocks  and  the  dwarf  pines 
of  timberline,  from  7750  to  8300  feet.  They  ate  green  caterpillars 
in  the  hemlocks  and  caught  grasshoppers  on  the  neighboring  rocky 
slopes.  In  places  they  are  seen  flying  about  among  the  dwarf  pines 
carrying  the  cones  in  their  bills  to  branches  where  they  can  get  at 
the  seeds  by  hammering  off  the  scales.  In  the  Sierra  Nevada  in  fall 
they  feed  largely  on  the  seeds  of  Pinus  monticola,  and  at  such  times 
their  movements  are  irregular,  depending  on  the  supply  of  pine 
cones.  When  feeding  it  is  amusing  to  watch  them.  As  you  walk 
along  the  edge  of  the  timber  a  flash  of  white  and  the  sound  of  flap- 
ping wings  overhead  call  your  attention  in  time  to  see  the  bird 
light  with  a  jet  of  the  tail  and  a  jerk  of  the  wings  on  a  terminal 
cluster  of  cones.  He  hardly  gets  his  balance  so  that  his  figure 


284  CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

resumes  its  trim  form  before  he  starts,  his  tail  flips  up,  and  a  cone 
loosened  by  his  foot  goes  to  the  ground  with  a  rattling  thump.  And 
so  he  keeps  it  up,  till  you  know  when  you  are  in  his  neighborhood 
by  the  sound  of  cones  hitting  the  ground.  In  Idaho,  Dr.  Merrill 
found  the  abundance  of  the  nutcrackers  was  coincident  with  that  of 
the  crossbills,  the  presence  of  both  birds  being  dependent  on  the  food 
supply. 

On  San  Francisco  Mountain,  Dr.  Mearns  found  the  birds  breeding 
while  the  mountains  were  still  covered  with  snow. 

GENUS    CYANOCEPHALUS. 

492.  Cyanocephalus  cyanocephalus  (Wied.).    PINON  JAY. 

Head  not  crested ;  bill  cylindrical ;  nostrils  exposed  ;  tail  nearly  square, 
much  shorter  than  wings ;  feet  stout,  claws  large,  strong,  and  much 
curved.  Adults  :  almost  uniform  grayish  blue,  brightest  on  head  ;  throat 
with  white  streaks.  Young :  dull  grayish  blue,  lighter  beneath.  Length  : 
10.00-11.75,  wing  5.70-6.00,  tail  4.80-4.85. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  piflon  belt  in  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition 
zones  in  the  plateau  regions  of  western  North  America  from  southern 
British  Columbia  south  to  Lower  California  and  northern  Mexico,  and 
from  the  region  of  the  Black  Hills  west  to  the  Pacific  ;  casually  to  Kansas 
and  Nebraska.  Migrates  from  the  northern  part  of  its  range. 

Nest.  —  Deep,  bulky,  compact,  made  of  twigs  or  sagebrush,  lined  with 
plant  and  tree  fibers,  rootlets,  and  grass ;  placed  usually  in  pifions  or  juni- 
pers 5  to  12  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  :  3  to  5,  bluish  white,  sometimes 
covered  with  minute  specks,  at  others  wreathed  around  the  larger  end 
with  coarse  spots. 

Food.  —  Juniper  berries,  pifion  nuts,  grain,  and  insects,  especially  grass- 
hoppers. 

The  pifion  jays  are  so  inseparably  associated  with  the  pinon 
pines  that  you  can  no  more  think  of  them  without  mental  visions  of 
sage-covered  foothills  spotted  with  junipers  and  pinons,  than  you 
can  think  of  these  dwarf  forests  of  the  desert  ranges  of  the  Great 
Basin  country  without  calling  up  images  of  straggling  flocks  of 
short- tailed  birds  flapping  along  with  crow -like  flight  and  a  weird, 
crow -like  ca-w'  ca-w'. 

The  nut  pine  furnishes  a  great  part  of  their  food,  and  only  in  the 
juniper  and  yellow  pine  country  of  eastern  Oregon  are  they  found 
straying  far  beyond  its  range. 

They  are  eminently  social  birds,  sometimes  even  breeding  in  colo- 
nies, and  after  the  breeding  season  gathering  in  flocks  of  several  hun- 
dreds. A  flock  often  seems  to  have  no  end,  reaching  for  miles  as 
the  birds  scatter  out  and  straggle  noisily  along  through  the  trees. 
At  other  times  they  fly  in  close  bodies,  rising  and  wheeling  like 
blackbirds  and  settling  down  together  to  pick  grain  in  a  stubble 
field.  VERNON  BAILEY. 


STARLINGS  — BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.        285 

FAMILY  STURNID-S1:   STARLINGS. 

GENUS   STURNUS. 

[493.]  Sturnus  VUlgaris  Linn.    STARLING. 

Primaries  ten,  but  first  quill  minute  ;  bill  straight,  nasal  feathers  erect  or 
inclined  backward  ;  nostrils  with  conspicuous  nasal  scale.  Adults  in  sum- 
mer :  glossy  greenish  or  purplish  black,  speckled  with  buffy  brown  and 
whitish ;  wing  and  tail  feathers  largely  edged  with  brownish  buff ;  bill 
yellow.  Adults  in  winter :  upper  parts  light  brown ;  under  parts  whitish, 
spotting  often  so  conspicuous  as  to  obscure  the  underlying  green  and 
purple.  Length :  7.50-8.50,  wing  5.00-5.10,  tail  2.60-2.90,  bill  .95-1.00. 

Distribution.  —  Europe  and  Asia ;  accidental  in  Greenland.  Introduced 
about  New  York  city  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Portland,  Oregon. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  in  trees  or  about  buildings.  Eggs  :  4  to  7,  pale  green- 
ish blue  or  bluish  white. 


FAMILY  ICTERnXSl:    BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

KEY    TO   GENERA. 

1.  Bill  short  and  conical. 

2.  Tail  feathers  stiff  and  pointed. 

Dolichonyx,  p.  286. 
Fig.  350.     2'.  Tail  feathers  normal.  Fig.  351. 

3.  Four  outer  primaries  cut  out  .     .     Callothrus,  p.  288. 

3'.  Primaries  normal  .  .    Molothrus,  p.  287. 


Fig.  352. 
1'.  Bill  not  short  and  conical. 


2.  Tail  feathers  stiff  and  pointed. 

Sturnella,  p.  292. 
2'.  Tail  feathers  not  stiff  and  pointed. 

3.  Tail  graduated  and  folded  laterally. 

Quiscalus,  p.  301. 


3'.  Tail  mainly  even,  not  folded  laterally. 

Fig.  355. 

4.  Feet  weak,  for  perching Icterus,  p.  293. 

4'.  Feet  strong,  for  walking. 


5.  Claws  of  side  toes  reaching  beyond  middle  toe ;  ..  - 

males  in  summer  black  with  yellow  heads.         — ^**»-*f  4 
Xanthocephalus,  p.  288. 


286 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 


5'.  Claws  of  side  toes  not  reaching  beyond  middle  toe. 

6.  Side  claws  not  reaching  to  end  of  middle  toe  ;  summer  males 
glossy  blue  black Scolecophagus,  p.  299. 


6'.  Side  claws  reaching  to  end  of  middle  toe ; 
males  with  red  shoulder  patches. 

Agelaius,  p.  289. 

QENUS  DOLICHONYX. 


Fig.  357. 


494.  Dolichonyx  oryzivorus  (Linn.).    BOBOLINK. 

Bill  conic-acute,  cutting  edges  bent  in ;  tail  shorter  than  wing,  with 
stiffened  acute  feathers ;  wings  long  and  pointed ;  feet  stout,  tarsus  shorter 
than  middle  toe  and  claw ;  claws  all  very  large.  Adult  male  in  spring  : 
under  parts  wholly  black ;  upper  parts  black,  with  cream  or  buff y  brown 
patch  on  hind  neck,  light  streaking  on  wing  and  fore  parts  of  back,  gray- 
ish scapulars,  and  white  hind  back,  rump,  arid  upper  tail  coverts.  Adult 
female  :  ground  color  yellowish  brown,  paler  and  plain  on  under  parts 


Fig.  358. 


except  for  blackish  streaks  on  flanks ;  heavily  streaked  on  upper  parts ; 
crown  with  buffy  brown  median  stripe.  Adult  male  in  fall  and  winter : 
similar  to  adult  female,  but  streaking  of  upper  parts  blacker.  Young, 
first  fall  and  winter  :  like  adult  female.  Young,  first  plumage:  like  adult 
female  but  more  buffy,  with  necklace  of  faint  dusky  spots ;  flank  streaks 
obsolete.  Male :  length  (skins)  6.30-7.40,  wing  3.69-4.00,  tail  2.47-2.70, 
bill  .5S-.69.  Female :  length  (skins)  6.00-6.55,  wing  3.35-3.53,  tail  2.31- 
2.54,  bill  .57-.61. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  in  open  prairies  and  cleared 
districts  from  Assiniboia  south  through  the  middle  states,  and  from  the 
Atlantic  west  to  Idaho  and  eastern  Nevada ;  migrates  to  the  West  Indies 
and  South  America. 

Nest.  —  In  a  slight  depression  in  the  ground,  made  of  dried  weed  stems 
and  grasses.  Eggs :  5  to  7,  from  gray  to  reddish  brown,  irregularly  spot- 
ted and  blotched  with  browns  and  purples. 

Food.  —  Insects,  including  grasshoppers,  locusts,  weevils,  and  caterpil- 
lars ;  also  rice,  oats,  and  weed  seed. 

The  bobolink  seems  to  be  gradually  spreading  westward,  and 
wherever  it  goes  adds  another  rare  song  bird  to  the  country.  '  Robert 
o'  Lincoln '  is  a  rollicking,  joyous  fellow,  his  song  bubbling  up  from 
a  well  of  good  spirits.  No  eastern  orchard  or  meadow  seems  quite 
complete  without  him  and  May  is  not  May  until  he  has  come. 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  287 

GENUS  MOLOTHRUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  short,  stout,  conic,  about  two  thirds  as  long  as 
head,  broad  ridge  running  well  up  on  forehead ;  wings  moderate  or  long 
and  pointed ;  tail  shorter  than  wings,  even,  or  a  little  rounded ;  feet  strong ; 
tarsus  not  shorter  than  middle  toe  with  claw. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Length  (male)  6.60-7.65 ater,  p.  287. 

1'.  Length  (male)  6.00-7.10.     Texas  and  Arizona      .      obscurus,  p.  288. 

495.  Molothrus  ater  (Bodd.).    COWBIRD. 

Adult  males.  —  Head,  neck,  and  chest  uniform  brown ;  rest  of  plumage 
glossy  black  with  green  and  purple  reflections. 
Adult  female :  smaller    than   male,    streaked 
brownish  gray,  darker  above,  lighter  on  throat. 
Young  male :  upper  parts  dull  grayish  brown  Fi 

or  dark  brown,   feathers  bordered  with  pale 
buffy  or  grayish  brown  and  whitish ;  under  parts  broadly  streaked  with 
brownish,  dull  buffy,  or  whitish.      Young  female :  like  young  male,  but 

Ealer,  under  parts  mainly  dull  buffy,  streaked  with  grayish  brown.  Male: 
mgth  (skins)  6.60-7.65,  wing  4.15-4.56,  tail  2.76-3.15,  bill  .6S-.77.  Female  : 
length  (skins)  6.10-7.10,  wing  3.68-4.12,  tail  2.43-2.77,  bill  .60-.67. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  British  America  south  throughout  the 
United  States,  breeding  west  to  eastern  Oregon ;  migrating  to  eastern 
Mexico.  Less  common  in  the  western  part  of  its  range. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited,  usually  singly,  in  nests  of  other  birds,  8  to  12,  whit- 
ish, whole  surface  covered  with  brown  specks  and  blotches,  usually  heaviest 
about  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Mainly  noxious  weed  seed  and  insects,  with  a  small  amount  of 
grain. 

"  '  Buffalo  bird'  used  to  be  one  of  the  names  of  the  cowbird on  the 
Plains,  and  Major  Bendire  says  that  in  the  prairie  states  now  '  one 
will  rarely  see  a  bunch  of  cattle  without  an  attendant  flock  of  cow- 
birds,  who  perch  on  their  backs,  searching  for  parasites.'  This 
occupation  is  not  interrupted  by  the  ordinary  cares  of  family  life, 
for  the  cowbird  builds  no  nest  of  its  own,  but  foists  its  offspring 
upon  its  neighbors. 

"  Probably  the  historic  cause  for  this  remarkable  habit  would  give 
us  more  charity  for  the. bird,  but  it  does  such  violence  to  the  one 
redeeming  instinct  of  the  lowest  types  of  man  and  beast,  that  it  is 
hard  not  to  regard  the  bird  with  unqualified  aversion.  Not  only  is 
it  entirely  lacking  in  the  maternal  but  in  the  conjugal  instincts,  for 
it  practices  polyandry.  On  the  other  hand,  the  male  cowbird  is 
polygamous.  .  .  .  The  only  thing  that  can  be  said  in  favor  of  the 
female  cowbird  is  that  she  takes  pains  to  place  her  eggs  where  they 
are  most  likely  to  be  hatched.  Major  Bendire  gives  a  list  of  ninety- 
one  birds  in  whose  nests  she  has  been  known  to  leave  her  eggs  ;  but 
though  this  includes  woodpeckers,  flycatchers,  orioles,  thrushes, 


288  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

sparrows,  vireog,  wrens,  and  warblers,  the  birds  most  frequently 
imposed  upon  are  so  small  that  the  cowbird's  big,  crowding  nestling 
will  be  the  one  to  survive  when  it  is  a  question  of  size  and  resisting 
power."  (Birds  of  Village  and  Field.) 

495 a.  M.  a.  obscurus  (GmeL).     DWARF  COWBIRD. 

Similar  to  M.  ater,  but  smaller.  Male :  length  (skins)  6.00-7.10,  wing 
3.78-4.10,  tail  2.43-2.87,  bill  .62-.70.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.61-6.30, 
wing  3.37-3.70,  tail  2.27-2.62,  bill  .5S-.62. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southern  Texas  to  southwestern  Arizona, 
and  south  to  Lower  California  and  Mexico. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited  in  nests  of  other  birds,  similar  to  those  of  M.  ater. 

GENUS    CALLOTHRUS. 

496.  Callothrusrobustus(Ca&.).     RED-EYED  COWBIRD. 

Bill  shorter  than  head,  stout,  conical,  distinctly  ridged,  upper  outline 
slightly  curved ;  neck  with  soft,  dense,  erectile  ruif ;  four  outer  primaries 
with  inner  webs  curiously  sinuated  and  emarginated.  Adult  male :  iris 
bright  red  ;  body  and  erectile  ruff  black,  with  soft  bronzy  luster  ;  wings 
and  tail  glossed  with  bluish,  greenish,  and  purplish.  Adult  female :  dull 
black,  somewhat  glossed  with  bluish  green  ;  neck  ruffs  much  smaller  than 
in  male.  Young  male  :  sooty  black,  under  parts  with  feathers  edged  with 
paler.  Young  female:  paler  and  grayer  than  young  male.  Male:  length 
(skins)  7.75-8.80,  wing  4.40-4.73,  tail  2.98-3.24,  bill  .S8-.94.  Female: 
length  (skins)  6.50-8.10,  wing  3.84-4.16,  tail  2.52-2.94,  bill  .78-.S4. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southern  Texas  south  through  eastern  Mex- 
ico to  Central  America ;  migrates  to  Panama. 

Eggs.  —  Deposited  in  nests  of  other  birds,  usually  4,  pale  bluish  green, 
unspotted. 

On  the  coast  prairies  of  the  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas  the  red- 
eyed  cowbird  may  be  seen  on  the  roadside  fences.  His  strikingly 
red  eyes  and  handsome  glossy  black  coat  mark  him  at  a  glance  from 
the  other  cowbirds,  and  when  he  raises  his  neck  ruff  he  seems  indeed 
a  distinguished  personage. 

GENUS   XANTHOCEPHALUS. 

497.  Xanthocephalus  xanthocephalus  (Bonap.).     YELLOW- 

HEADED  BLACKBIRD. 

Bill  decidedly  shorter  than  head,  its  depth  through  base  less  than  half 
the  length  of  the  exposed  culmen  ;  culmen  straight,  flattened  ;  sexes  dif- 
ferent in  size ;  wing  long  and  pointed  ;  tarsus  nearly  one  fourth  as  long 
as  wing ;  claws  large,  lateral  ones  reaching  beyond  base  of  middle  one. 
Adult  male  in  summer :  black  except  for  yellow  or  orange  of  head,  throat, 
and  chest,  and  white  patch  on  wings.  Adult  male  in  winter :  similar,  but 
yellow  of  top  of  head  obscured  by  brownish  tips  to  feathers.  Adult 
female  :  brownish,  throat  and  chest  dull  yellowish,  breast  mixed  with 
white.  Young  male  in  first  winter :  similar  to  female,  but  larger  and  deeper 
colored.  Male :  length  (skins)  8.60-10.10,  wing  5.32-5.73,  tail  3.66-4.27, 
bill  .S3-.99.  Female :  length  (skins)  7.50-8.30.  wing  4,33-4.64,  tail  3.10- 
3.45,  bill  .77-.S3. 

Distribution.  —  Western  North  America  from  British  Columbia  and  Hud- 


J I 


YELLOW-HEADED  BLACKBIRD 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  289 

son  Bay,  south  across  Mexican  tablelands  and  east  to  Wisconsin,  Indiana, 
and  Texas ;  casually  to  Ontario  and  the  eastern  United  States. 

Nest.  —  Fastened  to  tule  stems  or  rushes  10  to  30  inches  above  the 
water  of  a  marsh,  made  of  coarse  marsh  grasses,  tules,  reeds,  and  rushes, 
woven  together  and  lined  with  finer  grasses.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  from  grayish 
to  greenish  white,  profusely  and  evenly  ^blotched  and  speckled  with 
browns  and  grays. 

Food.  —  Small  seeds,  such  as  wild  rice,  and,  in  cultivated  districts,  occa- 
sionally corn,  oats,  and  wheat ;  but  mainly  insects,  especially  grasshoppers 
and  locusts,  together  with  their  eggs  and  larvae. 

From  their  breeding  grounds  in  the  sloughs  and  tule  marshes  the 
yellow-headed  blackbirds  scatter  out  and  wander  over  the  whole  of 
the  western  plains  country,  appearing  in  flocks  with  grackles,  red- 
wings, or  cowbirds  in  the  characteristic  hordes  of  the  fall  migration, 
or  in  flocks  by  themselves  in  fields  and  meadows,  along  the  road- 
sides, often  in  barnyards  and  corrals,  and  sometimes  in  city  streets, 
flocks  with  pompous,  yellow-caped  males  strutting  about  among 
the  dull-colored  females  and  young,  talking  in  harsh,  guttural  tones. 

Noisy  at  all  times,  they  are  doubly  so  on  the  breeding  grounds, 
where  they  try  to  sing,  and  their  hoarse  voices  come  up  from  the 
tule  borders  like  the  croaking  of  frogs  and  creaking  of  unoiled  gates. 

As  the  young  are  leaving  the  nests  in  July,  it  is  not  unusual  to 
find  flocks  of  old  males  away  in  the  hills  by  themselves,  taking  a 
vacation  after  their  arduous  duties ;  but  usually  the  fall  flocks  are 
made  up  of  both  sexes  and  young.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS  AGELAITTS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  shorter  than  head,  stout  at  base,  deeper 
than  broad,  high  and  flattened  on  forehead,  broadly  parting  the  feathers, 
rapidly  tapering  to  acute  point ;  wings  pointed,  tail  even  or  rounded ; 
claws  small,  lateral  ones  scarcely  reaching  to  base  of  middle  one ;  sexes 
different  in  size. 

KEY   TO  ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Wing  with  middle  coverts  black  at  tips  .     .     .     calif  ornicus,  p.  291. 
1'.  Wing  with  middle  coverts  buffy,  brownish,  or  white  at  tips. 
2.  Smaller. 

3.  Females  lighter,  buffy  tints  prevailing  on  upper  parts.     Southern 

Arizona  and  New  Mexico sonoriensis,  p.  290. 

3'.  Females  darker,  buffy  tints  not  prevailing  on  upper  parts. 

4.  Winter  females  with  little  if  any  rusty  on  upper  parts.     Great 
Basin  district  to  southern  California     .     .     neutralis,  p.  291. 
4'.  Winter  females  with  rusty  on  upper  parts.     Oregon  and  Califor- 
nia, west  of  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nevada     .     tricolor,  p.  292. 
2'.  Larger. 

3.  Bill  relatively  shorter  and  thicker.     Manitoba  to  Mexico. 

fortis,  p.  291. 
3'.  Bill  relatively  longer  and  more  slender. 

4.  Wings  longer.     Northwest  coast  district  caurinus,  p.  291. 
4'.  Wings  shorter.     Eastern  United  States  to  base  of  Rocky  Moun- 
tains     phoeniceus,  p.  290. 


290  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

498.  Agelaius  phoeniceus  (Linn.).    RED- WINGED  BLACKBIRD.! 

Adult  male  in  breeding  plumage.  —  Black  except  for  red  and  buffy 
brown  or  whitish  shoulder  patches.  Adult  male  in  winter :  like  summer 

male,  but  buff  of  wing  coverts 
deeper  and  scapulars  and  inter- 
scapulars  edged  with  rusty. 
Adult  female  in  breeding  plum- 
age :  plumage  of  harsh  texture 
compared  with  the  silky  plum- 
age of  the  male ;  streaked,  top 
of  head  dark  brown,  with  buffy 
median  crown  stripe  and  su- 
perciliary ;  nape  and  fore  part 
of  back  dark  brown,  lightly 
marked  with  buffy ;  shoulders 
faintly  tinged  with  red  ;  under 
parts  whitish,  heavily  streaked 
with  dark  brown ;  throat  vari- 
ably tinged  with  creamy,  buff, 
From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture.  or  pinkish.  Adult  female  in  win- 
Fig.  360.  ter  .  iighter  markings  of  upper 
parts  more  conspicuous,  under  parts  tinged  with  buffy.  Immature  male  : 
epaulettes  flecked  with  black  and  varying  from  orange  to  red  ;  black  of  plu- 
mage obscured  by  heavy  rusty  and  buffy  edgings  above,  and  light  ashy  or 
brownish  tips  below.  Young :  like  adult  female,  but  throat,  superciliary, 
and  malar  stripes  yellowish ;  ground  color  of  under  parts  pale  buffy  or 
yellowish  with  narrow  dusky  streaks.  Male:  length  (skins)  8.10-9.30, 
wing  4.58-4.95,  tail  3.49-3.78,  bill  .88-1.00.  Female:  length  (skins)  6.80- 
7.45,  wing  3.75-4.00,  tail  2.76-3.05,  bill  .68-.80. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America  to  Rocky  Mountains. 
Nest.  —  Attached  to  upright  stems  of  sedges  or  reeds,  or  to  branches  of 
bushes  or  small  trees  in  marshes  or  swamps  ;  made  compactly  of  dried 
grasses.     Eggs  :  3  to  5,  pale  bluish,  varying  to  olive,  marked  with  black, 
brown,  or  purplish  gray,  usually  with  pen  lines  and  blotches. 
Food.  —  Injurious  insects,  grain,  and  weed  seed. 

In  the  semi -arid  parts  of  the  west  where  a  bit  of  marsh  is  the  one 
green  acre  when  the  hills  and  valleys  have  turned  brown  in  sum- 
mer, the  marsh  birds  have  a  peculiar  charm.  The  red-wing,  with 
his  black  coat  and  the  gleam  of  keen  red  from  his  epaulettes,  is  a 
strong  note  in  the  landscape,  but  best  of  all  is  his  flute-like  o-ka-lee, 
with  its  cool  suggestions  of  marsh  grass  and  cat-tails. 

498a.  A.  p.  sonoriensis  Eidgw.    SONORAN  RED-WING. 

Like  A.  phoeniceus,  but  larger;  female  much  lighter,  buffy  tints  prevail- 
ing on  upper  parts  ;  throat  pinkish,  streaking  of  under  parts  much  duller 
and  less  striking;  bill  thicker.  Male:  length  (skins)  8.15-9.35,  wing 
4.80-5.09,  tail  3.38-3.98,  bill  .89-1.00.  Female:  length  (skins)  6.80-7.86, 
wing  3.88-4.15,  bill  .70-.84. 

1  Agelaius  phoeniceus  richmondi  Nelson.     VERA  CRUZ  RED-WING.    (The  Auk,  xiv.  58.) 
Like  phoeniceus  but  smaller,  adult  male  with  wing  coverts  deeper  colored,  at  least  in 

winter ;  adult  female  lighter  colored. 
Distribution.  — Coast  district  of  lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas,  and  south  to  Costa 

Rica.     (Ridgway's  Birds  of  North  and  Middle  America,  ii.  335.) 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  291 

Distribution.  —  From  the  Lower  Colorado  Valley  in  southern  California 
and  Arizona  south  to  Tepic,  western  Mexico. 

At  Phoenix,  Arizona,  the  red-wings  have  been  seen  eating  a  tree- 
worm  which  was  a  pest  at  the  time. 

498d.  A.  p.  fortis  Ridgw.    THICK-BILLED  RED-WING. 

Like  A.  phceniceus,  "  but  decidedly  larger,  with  bill  relatively  much 
shorter  and  thicker ;  adult  females,  adult  male  in  winter,  and  immature 
males  similar  in  coloration  to  the  same  of  A.  p.  sonoriensis,  but  distin- 
guished by  very  different  measurements."  (Ridgway.)  Male :  length 
(skins)  8.35-9.50,  wing  4.86-5.21,  tail  3.48-4.15,  bill  .78-1.04,  depth  of  bill 
at  base  .50-.59.  Female :  length  (skins)  6.80-7.68,  wing  4.00-4.30,  tail 
2.80-3.27,  bill  .67-.83,  depth  of  bill  at  base  .43-.50. 

Distribution.  —  Central  North  America,  in  migrations  from  Manitoba 
south  to  Illinois,  Indian  Territory,  and  western  Texas,  westward  to  and 
including  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  south  to  Arizona  and  Chihuahua. 

498e.  A.  p.  neutralis  Ridgw.    SAN  DIEGO  RED-WING. 

"Similar  to  A. p.  sonoriensis,  but  smaller,  adult  female  much  darker, 
with  streaks  less  strongly  contrasted  above,  those  on  under  parts  rather 
broader  and  grayer,  the  upper  parts  with  little  if  any  rusty,  even  in  win- 
ter." (Ridgway.)  Male:  length  (skins)  7.85-9.00,  wing  4.60-5.00,  tail 
3.35-3.85,  bill  .85-.9S.  Female:  length  (skins)  6.60-7-68,  wing  3.80-4.10, 
tail  2.64-3.08,  bill  .73-.S3. 

Distribution.  —  Great  Basin  district  of  United  States,  southward  to 
southern  California  and  northern  Lower  California. 

498f.  A-  p.  caurinus  Ridgw.    NORTHWESTERN  RED-WING. 

Similar  to  A.  phceniceus,  "  but  wings  and  bill  longer,  the  latter  more 
slender ;  adult  male  with  buff  of  middle  wing  coverts  deeper,  deep  ochra- 
ceous-buff  or  ochraceous  in  winter ;  adult  females  more  heavily  streaked 
with  black  beneath,  and,  in  winter  plumage,  with  upper  parts  much  more 
conspicuously  marked  with  rusty."  (Ridgway).  Male:  length  (skins) 
8.60-9.10,  wing  4.57-5.10,  tail  3.39-3.83,  bill  .90-1.01.  Female:  length 
(skins)  6.80-7.80,  wing  3.85-4.22,  tail  2.80-3.27,  bill  .77-.S6. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast  district  from  British  Columbia  south 
through  western  Washington  and  Oregon  to  northern  California. 

499.  Agelaius  gubernator  calif ornicus  Nelson.    BICOLORED 
BLACKBIRD. 

Adult  male.  —  Black,  shoulder  patch  red,  the  middle  wing  coverts  having 
their  buffy  or  brownish  bases  concealed  by  black  tips.  Adult  female  in 
breeding  plumage:  nearly  uniform  blackish  brown,  throat  buffy  and 
streaked.  Adult  female  in  winter :  feathers  edged  with  rusty.  Young : 
corresponding  to  phases  of  the  red-wing.  Male:  length  (skins)  7.80-8.60, 
wing  4.66-5.09,  tail  3.20-3.78,  bill  .78-.91.  Female  :  length  (skins)  6.90- 
7.50,  wing  3.97-4.23,  tail  2.68-3.02,  bill  .73-.7S. 

Distribution.  —  Western  Oregon  and  northern  and  central  coast  district 
of  California. 

Nest.  —  In  or  near  marshes,  on  tufts  of  marsh  grass  or  weeds,  1  to  3 
feet  above  the  water ;  made  of  grasses  and  strips  of  soft  bark,  usually 
lined  with  grass-tops  and  sometimes  horsehair.  Eggs:  usually  2  to  4, 
pale  bluish  green,  generally  spotted,  marbled,  and  streaked,  mostly  about 
the  larger  end,  with  brown,  black,  and  purple. 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

500.  Agelaius  tricolor  (And.}.    TBICOLOBED  BLACKBIBD. 

Adult  male.  —  Glossy  blue  black,  plumage  with  silky  luster ;  epaulettes 
dark  red,  bordered  with  white,  more  or  less  tinged  with  buff  ;  in  winter, 
plumage  softer,  more  glossy,  and  white  on  epaulettes  more  or  less  tinged 
with  buff.  Adult  female :  texture  of  plumage  like  that  of  male ;  upper 
parts  dusky  with  greenish  or  bronzy  luster ;  crown  narrowly  streaked  ; 
scapulars  and  interscapulars  with  grayish  edgings ;  wings  with  grayish  and 
whitish  bands ;  head  with  superciliary  and  malar  streaks ;  throat  and  chest 
streaked ;  rest  of  under  parts  dusky,  with  paler  edgings  to  feathers.  Im- 
mature female,  first  utinter :  like  adult  female,  but  browner.  Young :  like 
female,  but  browner,  and  under  parts  narrowly  streaked  ;  wings  with  two 
bands.  Male  :  length  (skins)  8.00-9.05,  wing  4.63-4.87,  tail  3.32-3.75,  bill 
.S7-.95.  Female:  length  (skins)  7.10-7.85,  wing  4.11-4.32,  tail  2.92-3.16, 
bill  .7S-.S3. 

Distribution.  —  Valleys  of  Oregon,  California,  and  Lower  California, 
west  of  the  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nevada. 

Nest  and  eggs  similar  to  those  of  phoeniceus.     Eggs :  1  to  4. 

Food.  —  Young  fed  entirely  on  grasshoppers.  ^ 

GENUS    STURNELIiA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  narrowly  wedge- 
shaped,  acute  and  depressed  at  tip  ;  tail  less  than  two  thirds  as  long  as 
wing,  the  feathers  sharp-pointed ;  wing  short,  tertials  lengthened  —  reach- 


Fig.  361. 

ing  almost  to  tips  of  primaries  —  feathers  of  top  of  head  with  stiffened 
glossy  shafts ;  outstretched  feet  reaching  beyond  tip  of  tail. 


KEY  TO   SPECIES. 


1.  Yellow  of  throat  encroaching  on  malar  region    . 
1'.  Yellow  of  throat  not  encroaching  on  malar  region 


neglecta,  p.  293. 
hoopesi,  p.  292. 


50 la.  Sturnella  magna  hoopesi  Stone.    TEXAS  MEADOWLABK. 

Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  S.  m.  neglecta,  but  yellow  of  throat  restricted,  not 
encroaching  on  cheeks,  and  yellow  somewhat  deeper  and  more  intense  than 
in  neglecta.  Adult  female  :  similar,  but  yellow  more  orange.  Young  : 
colors  much  duller  and  markings  less  distinct ;  black  mark  on  chest  only 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  293 

faintly  indicated.  Male :  length  (skins)  7.90-9.08,  wing  4.45-4.96,  tail 
2.50-3.12,  bill  1.19-1.40.  Female :  length  (skins)  7.70-8.10,  wing  3.95-4.32, 
tail  2.52-2.90,  bill  1.20-1.32. 

Distribution.  —  From  southeastern  Texas  west  to  southern  New  Mexico 
and  Arizona  ;  south  to  northern  Mexico. 

50 lb.  Sturnella  magna  neglecta  (Aud.).    WESTERN  MEADOW- 
LARK. 

Adult  male  in  breeding  plumage.  —  Crown  with  median  buffy  stripe  ;  lores 
yellow  ;  superciliary  buffy  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  with  buffy 
white  streaks  and  black  streaks  and  bars  ;  middle  of  back  heavily  marked 
with  black,  and  tertials.  rump,  and  tail  heavily  barred ;  outer  tail  feathers 
mainly  white  ;  under  parts  bright  yellow,  yellow  of  throat  spreading  over 
cheeks ;  crescent  on  breast  and  spotting  on  sides  black.  Adult  female  in 
breeding  plumage:  similar,  but  paler,  and  yellow  restricted.  Adults  in 
winter  plumage :  upper  parts  lighter,  from  unworn  light  tips  and  edgings 
of  feathers ;  black  and  yellow  of  under  parts  veiled  by  light  edgings. 
Male:  length  (skins)  8.31-10.14,  wing  4.66-5.08,  tail  2.69-3.25,  bill  1.17- 
1.44.  Female  :  length  (skins)  7.74-9.00,  wing  4.12-4.59,  tail  2.39-2.84,  bill 
1.01M.28. 

Distribution.  —  Western  United  States  from  Wisconsin,  Illinois,  and 
Texas  to  the  Pacific,  and  from  British  America  south  to  Lo^er  California 
and  northern  Mexico.  Resident  south  of  39°  and  in  Washington  and  Oregon. 

Nest.  —  Usually  at  the  foot  of  a  bunch  of  grass,  made  of  grass,  gen- 
erally loosely  covered  over.  Eggs :  3  to  7,  generally  white,  spotted  varia- 
bly over  the  entire  surface  with  different  shades  of  brown  and  purple. 

"Food.  —  Mainly  grasshoppers  and  their  eggs,  beetles,  the  destructive 
large  black  cricket,  and  other  insects. 

The  voice  of  the  western  meadowlark  is  so  different  from  that  of 
the  eastern  bird  that  in  going  west  you  recognize  it  the  instant  the 
pure  clarion  notes  strike  your  ear,  whether  at  a  wayside  station  amid 
the  puffing  of  the  engine,  or  from  the  moving  train  when,  with  a 
turn  of  the  wing,  the  bird  flies  over  the  car  carolling  as  it  goes, 
regardless  of  all  but  the  song  in  its  heart.  "There's  the  western 
meadowlark  !  "  you  cry  out  in  eager  delight,  and  as  the  train  leaves 
him  behind  and  you  lean  back  on  the  dusty  car  cushions,  you  rest  in 
a  world  of  blue  sky  and  celestial  song.  The  lark's  notes  have  been 
written  down  in  sharps  and  flats,  but  the  pure,  heavenly  quality  of 
the  song  can  never  be  reproduced. 

GENUS  ICTERUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  very  acute  ;  feet  fitted 
for  perching  rather  than  walking ;  tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe  and 
claw  ;  side  toes  equal,  or  outer  longest ;  tail  rounded  or  graduated. 

KEY   TO   ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Plumage  black  and  yellow  or  orange. 
2.  Head  mainly  yellow. 

3.  Breast  pale  orange sennetti,  p.  295. 

3'.  Breast  light  lemon  yellow nelBoni,  p.  296. 

2'.  Head  mainly  black. 


294  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

3.  Under  parts  bright  lemon  yellow. 

4.  Tail  shorter  than  wing1,  graduated  for  less  than  length  of  bill. 

parisorum,  p.  294. 
4'.  Tail  longer  than  wing,  graduated  for  more  than  length  of  bill. 

audubonii,  p.  294. 
3'.  Under  parts  orange  yellow  or  orange  red. 

4.  Malar  region  and  streak  over  lores  yellow  or  orange. 

bullocki,  p.  298. 

4'.  Whole  head  black galbula,  p.  297. 

1'.  Plumage  black  and  brown .     spurius,  p.  296. 

Subgenus  Icterus. 

503.  Icterus  audubonii  Giraud.    AUDUBON  OBIOLE. 

Adults.  —  Under  parts  bright  lemon  yellow  with  sharply  contrasting  black 
head,  chest  patch,  wings,  and  tail  ;  back  varying  from  lemon  yellow  to 
yellowish  green  ;  wings  with  white  edgings  and  yellowish  green  on  cov- 
erts ;  tail  graduated  and  narrowly  tipped  with  lighter.  Young :  without 
any  black,  upper  parts  olive-green,  under  parts  yellow.  Male:  length 
(skins)  8.45-9.20,  wing  3.79-4.03,  tail  4.04-4.18,  bill  1.01-1.11.  Female: 
length  (skins)  8.00-9.30,  wing  3.70-3.86,  tail  3.92-4.17,  bill  .86-1.04. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  from  southern  Texas  to  central  and  eastern 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Semi-pensile,  woven  of  fine,  wiry  grasses  and  lined  with  grass- 
tops,  hung  usually  6  to  14  feet  from  the  ground  in  mesquite  trees,  thickets, 
or  open  woods.  Eggs  :  3  to  5,  pale  bluish  or  grayish  white,  with  light  hair 
lines  of  brown  and  dark  purple  ;  or  else  the  ground  color  obscured  by 
pale  purple  suffusion,  blotched  and  streaked  with  brown  and  lavender. 

Mr.  Attwaterhas  twice  found  the  Audubon  oriole  near  San  Antonio 
in  the  high  pecan  timber,  and  considers  it  a  rare  winter  wanderer. 
Dr.  Merrill  states  that  it  is  resident  in  the  lower  Rio  Grande  Valley 
near  Brownsville.  In  summer,  he  says,  it  is  usually  found  in  deep 
woods  away  from  houses,  but  in  winter  is  less  shy  and  retiring. 

504.  Icterus  parisorum  Bonap.    SCOTT  ORIOLE. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Black,  except  for  bright  lemon  yel- 
low belly,  shoulders,  posterior  parts  of  back,  and  white  and  yellow  mark- 
ings on  wings  and  tail ;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  usually  tinged  with 

olive.  Adult  male  in  winter :  like 
summer  male  but  white  markings  on 
wings  broader ;  feathers  of  back  more 
or  less  edged  with  gray ;  rump  and 
Fig.  362.  upper  tail  coverts  more  strongly 

washed  with  olive  or  gray ;  flanks  tinged  with  olive.  Adult  female  :  under 
parts  greenish  yellow;  upper  parts  olive  green,  becoming  yellowish  on 
rump  and  outer  tail  feathers,  marked  with  grayish  brown  on  back ;  wing 
crossed  by  two  white  bars,  and  quills  edged  with  whitish.  Immature  male  : 
plumage  varying  from  that  of  female  to  that  of  male,  according  to  age. 
Young  of  year :  similar  to  adult  female,  but  with  all  the  wing  feathers 
edged  and  tipped  with  white,  wing  band  yellowish,  tail  tipped  with  yel- 
low, breast  obscured  by  brownish,  and  yellow  of  under  parts  paler  and 
greener.  Male :  length  (skins)  7.40-8.30,  wing  3.88-4.20,  tail  3.12-3.62, 
bill  .S2-.97.  Female:  length  (skins)  7.25-8.00,  wing  3.72-4.02,  tail  3.20- 
3.48,  bill  .80-.90. 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  295 

Remarks.  —  Dr.  Allen  has  recorded  two  females  showing  great  variation 
in  plumage  —  both  with  throat  and  breast  black,  and  one  with  whole  head 
blackish  like  yearling  males,  the  other  with  head  like  the  ordinary  adult 
female. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  western  Texas  to 
California,  and  from  southern  parts  of  Utah  and  Nevada  south  to  Lower 
California  and  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Woven  of  grass,  yucca  fibers,  horsehair,  cotton,  and  string  when 
available,  placed  usually  in  yuccas,  but  sometimes  in  other  trees.  Eggs : 
2  to  4,  pale  blue,  blotched  and  streaked  with  browns  and  grays. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  beetles,  caterpillars,  larvae,  fruit,  and  berries. 

The  name  parisorum  is  associated  with  interesting  desert  canyons 
whose  wide-sloping  sides  are  covered  with  stones,  agaves,  dasylirions, 
yuccas,  and  other  arid  thorn  brush,  and  crowned  with  the  fouquiera 
whose  widely  spreading  arms  are  silhouetted  against  the  blue  sky. 
In  the  midst  of  a  cactus  wren's  song,  it  may  be,  you  will  hear  the 
clear  meadowlark-like  note  of  the  oriole.  One  that  we  found  in  such 
a  situation  in  New  Mexico  was  a  brilliant  black  and  lemon  adult  in 
a  low  juniper  feeding  a  brood  of  dingy  greenish  yello\v  young  who 
looked  like  commoners  in  camp  clothes  beside  a  personage  in  broad- 
cloth. Although  his  family  were  grown  and  picking  about  feeding 
themselves,  their  indulgent  parent  was  diligently  hunting  caterpillars 
for  them,  having  time  for  only  an  occasional  outburst  of  his  beauti- 
ful song.  On  the  hills  back  of  the  Pecos  River  we  often  found  pari- 
sorum nests  in  the  yuccas,  sometimes  in  the  same  one  with  a  white- 
necked  raven's  nest.  They  were  generally  hung  under  the  sharp 
drooping  blades  of  the  yucca  and  woven  of  fibers  frayed  from  the 
edges  of  yucca  leaves. 

In  the  Chisos  Mountains,  Mr.  Bailey  often  found  the  orioles  feed- 
ing among  the  flowers  of  a  giant  agave,  the  greenish  yellow  color 
of  which  they  match  in  a  suggestively  protective  manner. 

Subgenus  Pendulinus. 

505.  Icterus  CUCUllatus  sennetti  Ridgw.    SENNETT  ORIOLE. 

Adult  male. —  Facial  mask,  throat,  back,  wings,  and  tail  black,  wings  with 
white  ;  rest  of  plumage  deep  cadmium  yellow.  Adult  female  :  under  parts 
pale  gamboge,  back  and  scapulars  grayish.  Male :  length  (skins)  7.40- 
7.86,  wing  3.17-3.36,  tail  3.46-3.90,  bill  .78-.81.  Female:  length  (skins) 
7.00-7.50,  wing  3.07-3.20,  tail  3.30-3.48,  bill  .72-.77. 

Distribution.  —  From  the  lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas,  south  to 
Mexico. 

In  the  narrow  strip  between  the  Rio  Coloral  and  the  Mexican  line 
in  Texas,  where  the  dense,  thorny  thickets  are  full  of  cactus  and  low 
yucca  trees,  the  Sennett  oriole  makes  its  home.  Here,  as  we  were 
looking  for  the  nest  of  a  verdin  one  day,  an  oriole  flew  from  under 
the  drooping  spears  of  a  yucca.  On  inspection  we  found  one  of  the 


296  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

most  skillfully  wrought  nests  a  bird  ever  made,  a  perfect  basket, 
hung  by  the  handle  to  the  drooping  bayonets  in  such  a  way  that  the 
sharp  points  protected  it  and  yet  left  the  bird  an  easy  entrance.  The 
nest  was  made  of  yucca  fiber,  decorative  touches  being  given  by  bits 
of  gray  moss  stuck  on  here  and  there. 

505 a.  Icterus  cucullatus  nelsoni  Ridgw.     ARIZONA  HOODED 

ORIOLE. 

Adult  male.  —  Plumage  yellow,  except  for  black  of  oval  throat  patch, 
fore  part  of  back,  wings,  and  tail,  white  bars  and  edgings  of  wings,  and 
tip  of  tail.    Adult  female :  plain  yellow  below  ;  olive 
green  above,  washed  with  gray  on  back ;   wings 
brownish  with  two  white  bands  and  whitish  edgings 
to  quills.      Young  males  in  second  year :  like  adult 
females,  but  throat  patch  as  in  males.     Young  in 
first  year:   like   adult  female,  but   colors   duller, 
plumage  especially  on  upper  parts  suffused  with 
Fig.  363. '  brownish.     Male :   length  (skins)  6.90-7.80,  wing 

3.40-3.56,    tail  3.22-3.78,  bill   .82-87.      Female: 
length  (skins)  6.90-7.30,  wing  3.18-3.26,  tail  3.17-3.28,  bill  .7S-.82. 

Distribution,  —  Breeds  from  Tepic,  western  Mexico,  and  Lower  Califor- 
nia north  to  southwestern  New  Mexico,  Arizona,  and  through  the  southern 
half  of  California  west  of  the  Sierra  Nevada. 

Nest.  —  Cup-shaped,  semipensile  or  securely  attached  to  twigs  on  sides, 
woven  of  materials  like  fresh  wiry  grass  and  yucca  fibers,  and  placed  in 
such  trees  as  sycamores,  oaks,  blue  gums,  figs,  and  palms  ;  usually  made 
of  Spanish  moss,  often  built  in  tufts  of  moss.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  speckled  with 
hair  brown  and  with  zigzag'  markings. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  larvae,  including  hairless  caterpillars  and  small 
grasshoppers. 

In  southern  California  towns  nelsoni  nests  familiarly  in  fan  palms 
on  the  streets,  but  in  the  country  he  affects  the  chaparral,  coming 
into  sight  only  as  he  'makes  short  sallies  into  the  air  or  dashes  past 
you  from  one  section  of  brush  to  another. 

He  sings  when  out  of  sight,  but  the  song  is  delivered  with  such 
fervor  that  you  can  follow  him  by  it  when  he  is  invisible.  It  is  a 
typical  oriole  song,  a  clear  whistle  with  a  rhythmic  rise  and  fall, 
and  a  chatter  interposed  between  the  high  and  low  notes  that  sounds 
as  if  he  were  taking  breath.  His  mate  is  a  quasi-musician,  giving 
his  chatter  and  the  first  strain  of  his  song. 

In  southern  Arizona,  where  nelsoni  is  most  abundant,  Major  Ben- 
dire  says  that  its  favorite  haunts  are  dense,  shady  groves  of  cotton- 
woods  and  mesquites  in  the  creek  bottoms. 

506.  Icterus  spurius  (Linn.).    ORCHARD  ORIOLE. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Black  except  for  dark  chestnut  belly, 
shoulders,  and  hinder  part  of  back  ;  brown  and  whitish  edgings  of  wings, 
and  light  tip  to  tail.  Adult  male  in  fall  and  winter  :  like  summer  male, 
but  feathers  of  scapulars,  interscapulars,  and  sometimes  head  and  neck, 
edged  with  buffy  gray,  olive,  or  chestnut  j  those  of  under  parts  sometimes 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  297 

edged  with  yellowish.  Adult  female :  under  parts  plain  canary  yellow ; 
upper  parts  olive  green,  grayish  brown  across  back ;  wings  brownish,  with 
white  bars  and  edgings.  Male  in  second  year :  like  adult  female,  but  lores  and 
throat  black.  The  rest  of  the  black  and  the  chestnut  appear  in  increasingly 
large  patches  till  the  adult  plumage  is  reached.  Young  in  first  plumage : 
similar  to  female,  but  lighter  wing  markings  tipped  with  buff.  Male :  length 
(skins)  5.80-6.50,  wing  2.91-3.25,  tail  2.50-2.95,  bill  .5Q-.69.  Female: 
length  (skins)  5.90-6.30,  wing  2.70-3.05,  tail  2.50-2.90,  bill  .60-.68. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  the  east- 
ern United  States,  west  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  Texas ;  migrates  to 
Cuba  and  South  America. 

Nest.  —  Basket-like,  sometimes  pensile,  woven  of  fresh  grass  and  placed 
in  bushes  or  trees  usually  12  to  20  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs :  usually  4 
to  6,  bluish  white,  marked  most  heavily  about  the  larger  end  with  blotches 
and  scrawls  of  browns  and  purples. 

Food.  —  Mainly  small  beetles,  plant  lice,  flies,  hairless  caterpillars,  cab- 
bage worms,  grasshoppers,  rose  bugs,  and  Iarva3. 

In  the  prairie  states,  Major  Bendire  says,  the  orchard  oriole  is 
found  mainly  in  trees  and  shrubbery  along  streams.  When  living  in 
orchards  and  gardens  it  makes  itself  most  useful  by  destroying  the 
insects  with  which  the  fruit  and  vegetable  grower  have  to  contend. 

Subgenus  Yphantes. 

507.  Icterus  galbula  (Linn.).    BALTIMORE  ORIOLE. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Under  parts  and  hinder  part  of 
back  bright  orange  or  orange  red ;  head,  neck,  and  fore  parts  of  back  black  ; 
wings  with  yellow  shoulder  patch  and 
white  wing  bar  ;  tail  black  with 
yellow  corners.  Adult  male  in  winter : 
like  summer  male,  but  scapulars  and 
interscapulars  edged  with  dull  orange ; 
orange  of  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts 
more  or  less  obscured  with  olive ; 
white  wing  edgings  broader.  Adult 
female  in  summer :  under  parts  orange 
or  brownish  yellow,  varying  from 
almost  unmarked  to  the  black  color 
pattern  of  male  in  duller,  less  uni- 
form Style;  upper  parts  yellowish  From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  l>ept.  of 

olive,    streaked   more   or    less    with  ^T^ST 

black,  if  not  with  solid  black  of  male  ; 

rump  yellowish,  tail  greenish  yellow  ;  wings  brownish,  with  whitish  wing 
bars.  Adult  female  in  winter:  like  summer  female,  but  plumage  softer  and 
back  tinned  with  gray.  Immature  male  :  varying  between  adult  male  and 
female  or  indistinguishable  from  female.  Young  in  first  fall  and  winter : 
similar  to  adult  females,  which  are  without  black  on  throat.  Young,  first 
plumage:  like  lighter  colored  female,  but  upper  parts  grayer  and  under 
parts  with  softe?  colors.  Male:  length  (skins  fSO-7  ^  wmg  ?.6(MX)2, 
tail  2.78-3.15,  bill  .69-.7S.  Female:  length  (skins)  6.20-6. <0,  wing  3.35- 
3.62,  tail  2.*60-2.S3,  bill  .63-.71.  . 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  of  eastern  North  America  from 
latitude  55°  in  Saskatchewan  to  Texas,  west  to  the  Rocky  Mountains; 
migrates  through  eastern  Mexico  to  Panama. 


298  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

Nest.  —  Long,  bag-shaped,  hung  from  the  rim,  usually  to  slender 
branches  8  to  50  feet  from  the  ground;  woven  of  hemp,  horsehair,  or 
twine,  lined  largely  with  hair  and  grass.  Eggs :  4  to  6,  grayish,  irregu- 
larly streaked  and  blotched,  most  heavily  about  the  larger  end,  with  black, 
brown,  and  lavender. 

Food.  —  Mainly  noxious  insects  and  larvae,  including  click  beetles, 
locusts,  grasshoppers,  weevils,  ants,  plant  lice,  and  caterpillars. 

The  Baltimore  oriole  goes  as  far  west  as  Colorado  and  Montana, 
but  bullocki,  its  western  congener,  is  more  abundant  west  of  the 
Plains. 

508.  Icterus  bullocki  (Swains.).    BULLOCK  ORIOLE. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Under  parts,  sides  of  head  and  neck,  and  su- 
perciliary orange ;  narrow  throat  patch,  crown,  back  of  neck,  back,  and 

stripe  through  eye,  black ; 
wings  with  conspicuous  white 
patch  and  edgings ;  tail  with 
middle  feathers  black,  chan- 
ging to  almost  pure  yellow  on 
outer  feathers.  Adult  male 
in  winter :  like  summer  male, 
but  scapulars  and  interscapu- 
lars  edged  with  gray,  feath- 
ers of  rump  and  upper  tail 
coverts  tipped  with  gray,  of 
under  parts  edged  with  whit- 
Fig.  365.  ish.  Adult  female  :  under 
parts  lemon  yellow,  fading 

to  gray  on  belly ;  throat  usually  with  more  or  less  of  black ;  upper  parts 
olivaceous,  fading  to  brownish  and  sometimes  streaked  with  black  on 
back,  but  brightening  to  olive  yellow  or  deeper  on  rump  and  tail ;  wings 
with  white  bands.  Immature  male  in  second  year :  similar  to  adult  female, 
but  lores  and  median  line  of  throat  black.  Young  in  first  plumage : 
similar  to  female,  but  colors  duller,  washed  more  or  less  with  buffy,  with  no 
trace  of  black  on  the  throat,  and  yellow  sometimes  almost  wanting.  Male : 
length  (skins)  6.75-7.60,  wing  3.82-4.03,  tail  2.98-3.22,  bill  .65-.81.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  6.60-7.50,  wing  3.52-3.87,  tail  2.73-3.12,  bill  .67-.7S. 
Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  of  western 
North  America  from  southern  parts  of  British  Columbia,  Alberta,  and 
Assiniboia,  south  to  western  Texas  and  Lower  California ;  and  from  Da- 
kota and  Texas  to  the  Pacific  ;  migrates  to  the  valley  of  Mexico  and 
Puebla. 

Nest.  —  Hung  by  rim  and  fastened  to  sides  of  a  branch  6  to  40  feet  from 
the  ground,  often  in  bunches  of  mistletoe  in  cotton  woods,  poplars,  and 
mesquites,  woven  of  horsehair  or  vegetable  fibers  and  inner  bark,  lined 
with  horsehair,  down,  and  wool.  Eggs  :  3  to  6,  grayish  or  bluish  white  or 
pale  buffy,  marked  with  irregular  hair  lines,  mainly  around  the  larger 
end. 

Food.  —  Principally  injurious  insects  and  larvae,  with  a  few  wild  berries. 

In  southern  California,  where  the  Arizona  hooded  and  Bullock 
orioles  occur  together,  the  light,  yellow-headed  nelsoni  usually  comes 
north  later  and  lives  largely  in  the  chaparral,  while  the  dark  orange 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  299 

bullocki  lives  in  the  treetops.  The  neighborhood  of  water  is  not 
considered  a  necessity  by  the  Bullock,  but  in  irrigated  districts  it  is 
especially  fond  of  the  sunny  cotton  wood  hedges  bordering  irrigation 
ditches,  and  abounds  on  the  rolling  prairie  country,  finding  most 
congenial  nesting  grounds  in  the  groves  that  fringe  the  streams.  It 
also  nests  in  towns,  as  the  Baltimore  oriole  does  in  the  east.  When 
possible  it  hangs  its  nest  from  a  tall  sycamore  or  other  large  decidu- 
ous tree,  but  if  nothing  better  offers  builds  in  low  willows.  In  the 
bottom  lands  near  Chinese  Camp,  on  the  Yosemite  Valley  road,  we 
have  seen  small  willows  fairly  hung  with  the  bag-like  nests.  The 
young  birds  are  much  less  skilful  builders  than  the  adults,  Mr.  Illing- 
worth  notes,  their  nests  being  loosely  supported  and  made  of  coarse 
vegetable  fibers  instead  of  horsehair  and  twine. 

In  general  habits  as  well  as  appearance  bullocki  resembles  the  Balti- 
more oriole.  The  ranges  of  the  two  birds  overlap  along  the  eastern 
part  of  the  range  of  bullobki. 

In  regard  to  the  food  of  the  hooded  and  Bullock  orioles  Mr.  Illing- 
worth  says :  ' '  The  orioles  are  very  beneficial  to  the  horticulturist, 
although  they  eat  some  early  fruit,  such  as  berries,  cherries,  etc.,  but 
no  fruit  man  will  begrudge  them  these  if  he  thoroughly  understands 
their  habits.  The  chief  food  of  the  orioles  consists  of  insects  and 
injurious  caterpillars,  and  I  have  often  watched  them  while  they 
were  searching  among  the  branches  for  this  latter  food.  They  are 
particularly  fond  of  a  small  green  caterpillar  that  destroyed  the  foli- 
age of  the  prune-trees  a  few  years  ago.  The  orioles  are  often  seen 
in  the  berry  patches,  but  they  are  usually  in  search  of  insects,  as  is 
proven  by  the  examination  of  a  great  number  of  stomachs."  (The 
Condor,  July,  1901,  p.  100.) 

In  Phoenix,  Arizona,  they  have  been  seen  eating  a  tree  caterpillar, 
which  was  a  pest  at  the  time. 

QEMTJS    SCOLECOFHAQUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  not  longer  than  head,  slender  like  that  of  a 
robin,  tip  decurved,  cutting  edges  bent  in  ;  wings  pointed,  longer  than 
tail ;  side  toes  short,  with  moderate  claws. 

KEY   TO   ADULT   MALES   IN   SUMMER   PLUMAGE. 

1.  Plumage  glossy  black  with  faint  greenish  luster  ;  bill  stout.     Nebraska 

to  the  Pacific cyanocephalus,  p.  300. 

1'.  Plumage  glossy  greenish  black  ;  bill  slender.     Colorado  to  Atlantic. 

carolinus,  p.  299. 

509.  Scolecophagus  carolinus  (Mutt.).    RUSTY  BLACKBIRD. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Uniform  glossy  black,  with  bluish  luster  on 
head  and  neck  and  bluish  green  luster  on  body ;  under  tail  coverts  more 
or  less  edged  with  whitish.  Adult  male  in  winter :  black,  more  or  less 


300  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

obscured  by  rusty  brown  above  and  buffy  below.  Adult  female  in  summer: 
brownish  slate,  faintly  glossed  with  bluish  green  on  upper  parts.  Adult 
female  in  winter :  brownish  gray  or  slaty,  washed  with  rusty  above  and 
buffy  beneath.  Young  :  like  female  in  winter,  but  colors  duller  and  plum- 
age looser ;  wings  with  rusty  bands.  Male :  length  (skins)  8.25-9.30,  wing 
4.50-4.60,  tail  3.39-3.65,  bill  .72-.7S.  Female :  length  (skins)  7.80-8.30, 
wing  4.21-4.39,  tail  3.11-3.30,  bill  .6S-.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Boreal  zone  from  Alaska  and  Hudson  Bay 
south  to  northern  New  York,  New  England,  and  Michigan,  and  west  in  the 
United  States  to  western  Nebraska  and  Colorado  ;  migrates  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  bulky  structure  of  dried  twigs,  shreds  of  bark,  and  mosses, 
placed  in  bushes.  Eggs  :  2  to  8,  pale  bluish  green,  olive,  or  rusty  brown, 
speckled  or  blotched  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Preferably  animal  matter,  including  insects,  especially  beetles 
and  grasshoppers ;  also  grain  and  weed  seed. 

The  rusty  blackbird  is  mainly  a  bird  of  the  eastern  states,  but 
occasionally  goes  as  far  west  as  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  Unlike  most  other  blackbirds,  it  is  fond  of  forests. 

510.    Scolecophagus    cyanocephalus    (WagL).      BREWER 
BLACKBIRD. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Glossy  greenish  black,  head  and  neck  purplish 

black.  Adult  male  in  winter  :  similar 
to  summer  male,  but  more  highly 
glossed.  Adult  female  in  summer  : 
head,  neck,  and  under  parts  brown- 
ish gray,  faintly  glossed  with  violet 

on  head  and  neck  and  with  green  on  under  parts ;  upper  parts  darker, 
wings  and  tail  more  glossed  with  bluish  green.  Adult  female  in  winter  : 
similar  to  summer  female,  but  paler,  more  buffy  gray  anteriorly.  Imma- 
ture male  injirst  winter:  like  adult  male,  but  feathers  largely  tipped  with 
grayish  brown.  Young :  like  winter  females,  but  feathers  with  different 
texture  and  without  gloss.  Male :  length  (skins)  8.40-9.75,  wing  4.73-5.27, 
tail  3.62-4.22,  bill  .S3-.93.  Female  :  length  (skins)  7.80-8.70,  wing  4.56- 
4.71,  tail  3.43-3.65,  bill  .75-.  82. 

Distribution.  —  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zone  from  Manitoba  and 
British  Columbia  south  in  the  mountains  to  Lower  California  and  Guate- 
mala, and  from  northwestern  Minnesota  and  Nebraska  west  to  the  Pacific. 
Nest.  —  Low,  in  trees  or  bushes  made  of  sticks,  plant  stalks,  grass, 
bark,  and  rootlets,  generally  cemented  with  earth  or  manure,  and  lined 
with  rootlets  or  hair.  Eggs  :  usually  4  to  6,  grayish  or  greenish  ground 
color,  variably  marked  but  usually  profusely  blotched,  streaked,  and 
spotted  with  browns  and  lavender. 

Food.  —  Largely  grain,  weed  seed,  and  grasshoppers. 

The  Brewer  blackbird,  whose  glossy  blue  black  coat  makes  him 
one  of  the  handsomest  of  his  race,  is  the  dooryard  blackbird  of  city 
and  country.  He  often  nests  in  oaks  beside  ranch  houses,  and  lords 
it  over  the  barnyard  fowls  with  great  airs  of  proprietorship. 

Like  all  blackbirds  he  has  mannerisms.  When  disturbed  at  the 
nest  he  spreads  his  tail  nervously  and  calls  chack,  and  when  sitting 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.  301 

on  a  fence  sometimes  looks  at  you  out  of  his  pale  yellow  eyes  and 
then  bristles  up  and  gives  a  loud  shrill  whistle. 

Although  quick  to  appreciate  the  advantages  of  civilization, 
cyanocephalus  is  by  no  means  exclusively  a  dooryard  bird,  nesting 
principally,  indeed,  in  unsettled  districts,  in  willows  in  the  pine 
belt  of  Arizona  and  in  sagebrush  around  the  edges  of  marshes  in 
the  arid  Great  Basin  country.  It  nests  in  much  smaller  colonies 
than  many  of  the  blackbirds,  five  to  ten  pairs  being  the  common 
number. 

After  the  breeding  season  the  birds  may  be  seen  as  high  as  tirn- 
berline  on  Mt.  Shasta,  solemnly  walking  over  the  rocks  around  snow 
streams,  or  as  low  down  as  sea-level,  at  places  like  Santa  Cruz, 
where  they  run  around  on  the  hard  sand  beach,  feeding  and  bathing 
in  the  shallows  filled  with  seaweed. 

Their  food  varies  with  the  season  and  the  locality.  On  ranches 
they  do  a  great  deal  of  good  by  following  the  plough  and  destroying 
grubs,  but  after  the  nesting  season  they  gather  in  large  flocks  and 
often  do  serious  harm  in  the  grain  fields. 

GENUS  QUISCALUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  crow-like,  but  more 
tapering  and  acute  ;  tail  graduated  and  folded  laterally  ;  feet  stout ;  tar- 
sus about  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw. 

KEY   TO  ADULT  MALES. 

1.  Body  bronzy,  size  medium geneua,  p.  301. 

1'.  Body  greenish,  size  very  large macrourus,  p.  302. 

Subgenus  Quiscalus, 

5 lib.    Quiscalus    quiscula    seneus     (Eidgw.).       BRONZED 
GKACKLE. 

Adult  male.  —  Whole  head  and  neck  purple,  dark  peacock  blue  or 
green,  in  sharp  contrast  to  uni- 
form bronze  of  body  ;  wings  and 
tail  plum  purple,  not  metallic. 
Adult  female :  similar,  but  smaller 
and  duller.  Young :  from  plain 
dark  brown  to  colors  of  adults. 
Male:  length  (skins)  10.90-12.50, 
wing  5.38-6.03,  bill  1.21-1.32. 
Female  :  length  (skins)  9.25- 
10.60,  wing  4.83-5.18,  tail  4.16- 
4.46,  bill  1.13-1.23. 

Distribution.  —  From     Great 
Slave  Lake  south  to  Louisiana 
and  western  Texas,  and  from  the     From  Biological  Survey,  u.  s.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 
Alleghanies  and  northern  New  Fig.  367. 

England  west  to  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains;   migrating  to  the  southeastern   states   except  the  coast  districts. 
Breeds  throughout  its  range,  but  chiefly  north  of  its  winter  range. 


302  BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 

Nest.  —  A  coarse  and  bulky  but  compact  structure  of  dried  grasses, 
built  in  trees  (often  cavities).  Eggs:  3  to  7,  pale  green  or  greenish  blue, 
olive  or  olive  whitish,  coarsely  spotted  and  irregularly  lined  with  brown 
and  black. 

Food.  —  Largely  noxious  insects,  corn,  and  the  small  grains. 

The  bronzed  grackles  may  be  seen  as  far  west  as  the  eastern  base 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Like  all  the  grackles  they  spend  a  good 
share  of  their  time  on  the  ground  walking  over  the  grass,  turning 
their  heads  this  way  and  that,  when  the  sun  glances  from  their  hand- 
some bronzy  backs.  When  they  fly  their  tails  turn  into  rudders,  and 
they  move  along  with  as  straight  and  steady  a  course  as  a  skill- 
fully guided  boat.  Their  gurgling,  squeaky  notes  cannot  be  called 
musical,  but  have  a  crisp  spring  sound,  and  their  clatter  has  a 
hearty  social  ring  as  they  fill  a  treetop  or  scatter  over  a  park  lawn. 
Although  they  do  considerable  damage  when  descending  in  hordes 
on  grain  fields,  their  steady  work  through  the  year  balances  on  the 
right  side,  for  they  are  not  only  assiduous  in  following  the  plough 
for  grubs,  but  devote  themselves  largely  to  catching  grasshoppers, 
crickets,  locusts,  and  other  destructive  insects. 

Subgenus    Megaquiscalus 

513a.  Quiscalus  major  macrourus  (Swains.).  GREAT-TAILED 
GRACKLE  :  JACKDAW. 

Adult  male.  —  Head,  neck,  and  breast  purple,  changing  through  steel 
blue  to  greenish  on  belly  and  back.  Adult  female  :  under  parts  hair  brown ; 
head  dark  brown,  darkening  on  back  to  blackish,  glossed  with  green  and 
purple.  Immature  male  (first  year) :  upper  parts  black,  more  or  less 
glossed  with  bluish  green ;  under  parts  sooty  black.  Young :  like  adult 
female,  but  browner,  without  gloss  above,  more  buffy  below.  Male: 
length  (skins)  15.50-18.00,  wing  7.25-7.83,  tail  7.70-9.25,  bill  1.56-1.89. 
Female:  length  (skins)  11.20-14.00,  wing  5.60-6.24,  tail  5.08-6.50,  bill 
1.33-1.55. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  Texas  and  south  through  Mexico  (west  to  edge 
of  plateau)  to  northern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  Bulky,  made  largely  of  dried  grass  and  Spanish  moss,  usually 
with  an  inside  coating  of  mud;  built  in  low  trees  or  bushes,  often  in 
swampy  places,  sometimes  in  towns.  Eggs  :  3  to  5,  pale  bluish  or  green- 
ish, drab,  olive,  or  purplish  gray,  grotesquely  marked  with  brown  and 
black  lines. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  their  larvae,  crustaceans,  dead  fish,  seeds,  and 
grain. 

The  jackdaws,  as  the  grackles  are  called  in  southern  Texas,  nest 
in  the  '  oak  motts '  of  the  shin  oak  prairie  between  Corpus  Christi 
and  Brownsville.  We  found  them  building  the  last  of  April  at  San 
Ignatia  mott,  an  oasis-like  grove  in  the  middle  of  the  prairie.  They 
made  the  noisiest  blackbird  colony  one  could  wish  to  camp  below  ; 
and  when  to  their  squeaking  clangor  and  hubbub  was  added  the 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  303 

shrill  clatter  of  the  scissor-tail  flycatchers,  the  rattle  of  woodpeckers, 
the  vociferations  of  mockingbirds,  the  cooing  of  doves,  the  piping 
notes  of  the  vermilion  flycatcher,  and  the  voices  of  passing  birds,  it 
was  quite  like  camping  in  an  aviary.  Though  usually  visited  by 
only  an  occasional  Mexican,  the  birds  went  about  their  business  as 
if  camp-fires  were  an  everyday  occurrence,  and  paid  little  heed  to 
us  except  when  we  shot  a  rattlesnake  or  made  other  undue  signs  of 
our  presence. 

Much  to  our  surprise  the  blackbirds  sang  in  notes  that  were  sweet 
and  astonishingly  like  the  call-notes  of  the'  goldfinch,  But  they 
appeared  particularly  fond  of  making  a  noise  that  sounded  like  the 
breaking  of  sticks,  and  it  took  a  prominent  part  in  a  ludicrous  per- 
formance which  they  went  through.  Seated  on  an  oak  top,  where 
his  humble  spouse  could  see  him  to  the  best  advantage,  an  old  male 
would  begin  by  spreading  his  wings  and  tail  to  their  fullest 
breadth  and  making  a  crackling  '  breaking  brush '  sound  which  he 
evidently  considered  a  striking  prelude.  This  done  he  would 
quiver  his  wings  frantically  and  opening  wide  his  bill  emit  a  high 
falsetto  squeal,  quee-ee,  quee-ee,  quee-ee,  quee-ee,  perhaps  attuned  to 
the  feminine  blackbird  ear.  But  his  coup  d'etat,  which  should  have 
wrung  admiration  from  the  most  unappreciative  mate,  consisted  in 
striking  an  attitude,  his  long  bill  pointed  as  nearly  straight  to  the 
sky  as  his  neck  would  permit.  Posed  in  this  way  he  would  sit  like 
a  statue,  with  a  most  ludicrous  air  of  greatness.  Incredible  as  it 
may  appear,  instead  of  standing  spellbound  before  him,  his  spouse, 
practical  housewife  that  she  was,  whatever  her  secret  admiration 
may  have  been,  through  all  his  lordship's  play  calmly  went  about 
gathering  sticks. 

FAMILY  FRINGILLID.ffi:   FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

KEY  TO   GENERA. 

1.  Wing  conspicuously  long  and  pointed,  prima- 
ries  exceeding    secondaries   by   nearly   or        3 
more  than  twice  the  length  of  tarsus. 

rig.  ooo. 

2.  Tips  of  bill  crossed  in  adults Loxia,  p.  313. 

2'.  Tips  of  bill  not  crossed. 

.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  greater  than  length  of  hind  toe  with 
claw Coccothraustes,  p.  307. 

Fig'  370.      3'.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  much  less  than  length  of  hind  toe 

with  claw. 
4.  Hind  claw  longer  than  its  toe. 


304  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

5.  Wing  2.75-3.10 Acanthis,  p.  318. 


Fig.  371. 

5'.  Wing  3.80-4.50. 

6.  Nostril  wholly  concealed;    plumage    blackish    or 
brown,  sometimes  marked  with  rose  or  white. 

Leucosticte,  p.  315. 

6.'  Nostril  partly  exposed .     .     .     Passerina,  p.  325. 
Fig.  372. 

4'.  Hind  claw  shorter  than  its  toe. 

5.  Upper  tail  coverts  pointed. 

Rhynchophanes,  p.  328. 

5'.  Upper  tail  coverts  not  pointed ;  males  largely  reddish, 
(part  of)  Carpodacus,  p.  309. 
1'.  Wing  not  conspicuously  long  and  pointed,  primaries  exceeding 

secondaries  by  less  than  twice  the  length  of  tarsus. 
2.  Primaries  exceeding  secondaries  by  more   than   length   of 

tarsus. 
3.  Outer  tail  feathers  marked  with  white  or  yellow. 

lUP^*     4.  Tail  marked  with  yellow     ....     Spinus,  p.  323. 
Fig.  374.          4'.  Tail  marked  with  white. 

^^^B  ^  5.  Under  wing  coverts  yellow  or  rose  ;  plumage  largely 

^HpJgF  black  in  males,  streaked  in  females. 

^?r  Zamelodia,  p.  371. 

Fig.  375. 

5'.  Under  wing  coverts  not  yellow 

or  rose. 
6.  Tail  graduated. 

Chondestes,  p.  336. 
6'.  Tail  nearly  even  or  emargi- 

nate.  Fig.  376. 


3        7.  Hind  claw  longer  than  its  toe,  and  not  sharply 
curved Calcarius,  p.  325. 

Fig.  377. 

7'.  Hind   claw  shorter  than   its    toe,   and  sharply 
curved. 

8.  Plumage  streaked,  largely  brown. 

Pooecetes,  p.  329. 

8'.  Plumage   unstreaked,   summer  males    yellow 
beneath     ....     Astragalinus,  p.  319. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  305 

3'.  Outer  tail  feathers  not  marked  with  white  or  yellow. 
4.  Upper  parts  streaked. 

5.  Under  parts  more  or  less  yellow  .     .     Spiza,  p.  377. 

5'.  Under  parts    mainly   gray  ; 

Fig.  379.  males  with  chin  and  throat  ______ ___ 

black    .     Passer,  p.  324.  Fig  380 

4'.  Upper  parts  not  streaked. 

5.  Nostrils  concealed,  plumage  rose,  or  gray  mixed  with 
orange  brown Pinicola,  p.  308. 

Pig.  381. 

5'.  Nostrils  exposed,  males  blue  .     .     Guiraca,  p.  373. 
2'.  Primaries   exceeding    secondaries   by   less   than   length   of 

tarsus. 
3.  Head  crested. 

4.  Upper       mandible 

greatly  curved. 
Pyrrhuloxia,  p.  370.  Fig.  382. 


4'.  Upper  mandible  only  slightly  curved. 

Card  in  alls,  p. 


Fig.  383. 

3'.  Head  not  crested. 

4.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw. 
5.  Hind  claw  longer  than  its  toe. 

6.  Tail  with  white 
outer  tips  (ex- 
cept     fuscus' 
group). 
Pipilo,  p.  363.  Fig  384. 


1P^ 


6'.  Tail  with  white   edges,  plumage  largely  gray  or 
black Junco,  p.  345. 


5'.  Hind  claw  shorter  than  its  toe. 

6.  Tail  black Amphispiza,  p.  350. 

6'.  Tail  not  black. 

7.  Tail  olive  green     .     .     .    Arremonops,  p.  363. 
7'.  Tail  brown. 

8.  Tail  deeply  emarginate     .     Spizella,  p.  341 
8'.  Tail  rounded  or  graduated. 


306 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 


Fig.  389. 


9.  Wing  rounded  or  truncate  at 
tip. 

Figr386. 

10.  Edge  of  wing  yellow  .  Feucaea,  p.  352. 
10'.  Edge  of  wing  white  or  grayish. 

Aimophila,  p.  353. 

9'.  Wing  rather  pointed  at  tip  (except  Z.  albi- 
collisj  in  which  tarsus  is  same  length  as 
middle  toe  with  claw). 
Fig.  387.  Zonotrichia,  p.  337. 

4'.  Tarsus  about  equal  to  middle  toe  with  claw. 
5.  Inner  claw  reaching  beyond  tip  of  middle  toe. 


6.  Wings  and  tail  green. 

Oreospiza,  p. 


6'.  Wings  and  tail  rufous. 

Fasserella,  p.  3CO. 


w  not  reaching  to  tip  of  middle  toe. 


6.  Length  about  8  to  9. 

(fuscus  group)  Pipilo,  p.  363. 


6'.  Length  less  than  8. 
7.  Wing    with    whitish    patches  Fig.  390. 

(summer  males  black)    Calamospiza,  p.  377. 
7'.  Wing  without  white  patches. 

8.  Under  mandible  decidedly  deeper  than  upper  ; 
2  adult  males  with  blue,  and  sometimes  red, 

Fig.  391.  green,  or  purple  .     .     Cyanospiza,  p.  374. 

8'.  Upper  mandible  deeper  or  equal  to  under. 
9.  Tail  feathers  sharp-pointed  at  tip. 
10.  Bill  sharply  curved. 

Sporophila,  p.  376. 
10'.  Bill  not  sharply  curved. 

Ammodramus,  p.  330. 


'.  Tail  feathers  not  sharp-pointed  at  tip. 
10.  Tail  graduated    .      Melospiza,  p.  355. 


10'.  Tail  even  or  emarginate,  adult  males  with 
plumage  partly  reddish. 

Carpodacus,  p.  309. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 


307 


GENUS    COCCOTHRAUSTES. 
Subgenus  Hesperiphona. 

514a.  Coccothraustes  vespertinus   montanus   (Eidgw.). 
WESTERN  EVENING  GROSBEAK. 

Bill  large,  swollen,  depth  at  base  greater  than  length  of  hind  toe  with 
claw;  wing-  long,  pointed,  more  than  five  times  as  long  as  tarsus;  tail 
short,  emarginate ;  feet  small  and 
weak ;  tarsus  little  if  any  longer 
than  culmen.  Adult  male  :  forehead 
and  superciliary  bright  yellow  ; 
crown,  wings,  and  tail  black,  wings 
with  large  white  patches;  rest  of 
upper  parts  olive,  grading  through 
yellowish  green  to  yellow  on  rump ; 
under  parts  greenish  yellow,  be- 
coming lemon  yellow  on  under  wing 
and  tail  coverts.  Adult  female  : 
prevailing  color  yellowish  or  yellow- 
ish brown  ;  throat  bordered  by 
dusky;  whitish  patch  on  wings. 
Young :  similar  to  female,  but  duller 
and  markings  less  defined.  Male  : 
length  (skins),  6.70-7.30,  wing  4.18- 
4.59,  tail  2.50-2.87,  bill  .7S-.89, 
width  of  bill  at  base  .49-.60.  Fe- 
male :  length  (skins), 6.50-7.30,  wing 
4,  10-4.40,  tail  2.40-2.78,  bill  .74- 
83,  width  of  bill  at  base,  51.-57. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in   Cana- 
dian and  Hudsonian  zones  in  western  United  States  from  the  Plains  to  the 
Pacific,  and  south  through  mountains  of  northwestern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  15  to  50  feet  from  the  ground  in  the  top  of  a  conifer  or  thick 
willow,  a  comparatively  flat,  slight  structure  of  small  sticks,  roots,  and 
sometimes  tree  lichens  lined  with  finer  roots.  Eggs  :  3  or  4,  clear  green, 
blotched  with  pale  brown. 

Food.  —  Insects,  such  as  caterpillars ;  seeds,  and  the  fruit  or  buds  of  mis- 
tletoe, hackberry,  box  elder,  juniper,  maple,  ash,  alder,  and  related 
species. 

In  the  Canadian  zone  forests  after  the  nesting  season  you  occa- 
sionally see  a  wandering  flock  of  evening  grosbeaks.  Sometimes 
there  will  be  only  seven  or  eight  in  the  flock,  sometimes  twenty-five 
or  more.  Their  commonest  call,  as  they  pass  over  or  light  in  a  fir  top, 
is  a  short  whistle  that  can  always  be  recognized  by  its  wild,  free 
quality,  but  they  have  also  a  loud  '  beady '  note  something  like 
that  of  the  waxwing. 

In  the  mountains  of  Arizona  the  grosbeaks  breed  in  canyons  and 
near  water,  Dr.  Mearns  says,  afterwards  descending  to  the  oaks  of 
the  foothills  with  their  young. 

In  winter,  grosbeaks  are  very  common  in  Portland,  Oregon,  where 
Mr.  Anthony  says  large  flocks  feed  in  the  maples,  picking  up  the 
fallen  seeds  at  the  feet  of  passers-by. 


From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept.  of 
Agriculture. 

Fig.  393. 


308  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

On  a  Sierra  grade  we  have  passed  a  flock  busily  gathering  wild 
cherries  in  a  bush  beside  the  road,  and  when  camped  under  the  firs 
of  Mt.  Shasta  have  had  wandering  bands  stop  for  a  drink  from  the 
camp  brook,  delighting  us  by  their  striking  yellow  and  white 
plumage.  Although  they  are  so  highly  colored  and  in  flight  their 
white  wing  patches  make  such  prominent  directive  marks,  this  very 
yellow  and  white  coloration  often  becomes  positively  protective. 
While  watching  the  birds  on  Mt.  Shasta  one  day,  I  was  struck  by 
the  conspicuousness  of  one  that  flew  across  an  open  space.  As  it  lit 
on  a  dead  stub  whose  silvery  branches  were  touched  with  yellow 
lichen,  to  my  amazement  it  simply  vanished.  Its  peculiar  greenish 
yellow  toned  in  perfectly  with  the  greenish  yellow  of  the  lichen. 
The  breeding  range  of  the  grosbeak  is  largely  coincident  with  the 
range  of  the  lichen,  the  lichen  being  a  striking  feature  of  the  forests 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  Cascades,  and  northern  Rockies,  so  that  the 
unusual  coloration  of  the  bird  may  be  of  marked  significance. 

GENUS   PINICOLA. 

Bill  short,  broad,   and  thick,  upper  mandible  strongly  curved ;  nasal 

plumules  conspicuous,  hiding-  nostrils ; 
wing-  about  five  times  as  long  as  tar- 
sus ;  tail  long,  emarginate  ;  feet  small, 
tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe 
Fig.  394.  without  claw. 

KEY   TO   ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Feathers  of  back  with  conspicuously  dusky  centers. 

alascensis,  p.  309. 

1'.  Feathers  of  back  without  distinctly  dusky  centers. 
2.  Bill  and  body  smaller.     High  mountains  of  California. 

californica,  p.  308. 
2'.  Bill  and  body  larger.     Rocky  Mountains     .     .     .  montana,  p.  308. 

515a.  Pinicola  enucleator  montana  Eidgw.  ROCKY  MOUN- 
TAIN PINE  GROSBEAK. 

Like  P.  e.  calif  arnica,  but  larger  and  slightly  darker,  adult  male  carmine 
red  instead  of  vermilion.  Male  :  length  (skins),  8.00-8.55,  wing  4.72-4.86, 
tail  3.67-4.00,  bill  .61-.68.  Female :  length  (skins),  8.00-8.30,  wing  4.65- 
4.69,  tail  3.48-3.50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Hudsonian  zone  in  the  Rocky  Mountains  from 
Montana  and  Idaho  to  New  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  rather  flat  thin  structure,  largely  of  fine  rootlets  placed  in 
coniferous  trees.  Eggs :  greenish  or  bluish,  spotted  with  brown  and 
black. 

Food.  —  Caterpillars,  cocoons,  coniferous  seeds,  needles,  buds,  and  blos- 
soms. 

515b.  P.  e.  calif  ornica  Price.    CALIFORNIA  PINE  GROSBEAK. 

Adult  male.  —  Light  vermilion  red,  head  slightly  tinged  with  yellow  and 
pink,  and  changing  to  ash  gray  on  scapulars,  belly,  flanks,  and  under  tail 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  309 

coverts ;  plumage  everywhere  gray  beneath  the  surface,  giving  an  effect 
of  immaturity ;  scapulars  and  feathers  of  the  central  back  with  only  faint 
trace  of  dusky  centers  ;  wings  and  tail  dusky,  feathers  tipped  and  edged  with 
whitish.  Adult  female :  general  color  clear  ash  gray,  bright  tawny  yellow 
on  top  and  sides  of  head,  back  of  neck,  and  middle  of  breast ;  tail  with 
faint  yellow  wash  on  upper  coverts.  Young:  like  female,  but  brownish 
gray,  with  brownish  and  grayish  edgings  to  wings  and  tail.  Male  :  length 
(skins),  7.75,  wing  4.33-4.52,  tail  3.60-4.21,  bill  .55-.S9.  Female:  length 
(skins),  7.40-7.95,  wing  4.05-*4.25,  tail  3.58-4.05,  bill  .55-62. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Hudsonian  zone  in  the  higher  parts  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada,  central  California. 

Nest.  —  (Two,  16  and  35  feet  from  ground.)  A  platform  of  evergreen 
twigs  thickly  lined  with  light-colored  grasses.  Eggs:  nile  blue,  irregularly 
marked  with  dark  brown. 

The  California  form  of  Pinicola  is  found  in  the  high  Sierra,  and 
in  July,  1900,  when  climbing  the  wooded  side  of  the  old  crater  of 
Lincoln  Peak,  we  had  the  good  fortune  to  meet  with  a  pair  of  the 
lovely  birds  at  7800  feet.  They  were  as  characteristically  tame  and 
trustful  as  they  always  are  in  gunless  regions.  Flying  down  to  a 
snowbank  in  front  of  us  they  hopped  over  its  surface,  busily  picking 
up  what  we  supposed  to  be  seeds  from  the  hemlock  cones,  quite 
regardless  of  us,  though  so  near  that  we  could  easily  have  photo- 
graphed them  had  the  evergreens  let  in  enough  light  for  a  snap-shot. 

Afterwards,  in  camp,  three  hundred  feet  lower,  a  number  of  the 
grosbeaks  stopped  at  different  times  in  the  beautiful  little  hemlocks 
over  our  tent.  Most  of  them  were  in  the  yellowish  plumage,  but 
one  or  two  were  rare  rose-colored  beauties  that  would  excite  the 
admiration  of  the  most  insensible.  While  resting  they  gave  their 
soft  call-notes  and  warbled  their  sweet  rolling  song,  and  though  they 
were  soon  off  and  away  they  had  lent  a  new  distinction  to  the  hem- 
locks that,  in  memory,  will  always  be  graced  by  their  gentle  presence. 

515c.  P.  e.  alascensis  Bidgw.    ALASKAN  PINE  GROSBEAK. 

Adult  male.  —  Body  mainly  red,  pinkish  in  winter,  fading  to  gray  on 
belly;  back  with  centers  of  feathers  strikingly  dark  brownish;  wings  with 
two  white  bars,  whitish  tips,  and  edgings  ;  bill  short  and  turgid,  upper 
mandible  only  slightly  longer  than  lower.  Adult  female:  top  and  sides  of 
head  and  upper  tail  coverts  tawny  yellow,  dark  centers  of  feathers  of  back 
distinctly  brownish.  Male  :  length  (skins),  8.60-9.69,  wing  4.41-5.00,  tail 
3.34-4.03,  bill  .55-.60.  Female  :  length  (skins),  7.69-8.70,  wing  4.48-4.73, 
tail  3.46-3.84,  bill  .57-.61. 

Distribution.  —  Northwestern  North  America  except  Pacific  coast,  in- 
cluding wooded  interior  of  Alaska  ;  south  in  winter  to  Montana. 

GENUS   CARPODACUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  shorter  than  head,  conical,  thick,  its  depth  at 
base  greater  than  width ;  tarsus  short,  about  equal  to  middle  toe  with 
claw. 


310  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

KEY  TO  ADULT  MALE  CABPODACUS. 

1.  Tail  emarginate. 

2.  Top  of  head  strikingly  brighter  than  rump. 

3.  Under  tail  coverts  conspicuously  streaked  .     .     .     cassini,  p.  311. 
3'.  Under   tail   coverts  not  conspicuously  streaked.     Eastern  United 

States purpureus,  p.  310. 

2'.  Top  of  head  about  color  of  rump  ....  calif  ornicus,  p.  310. 
1'.  Tail  even. 

2.  Wings  longer,  feet  smaller frontalis,  p.  312. 

2'.  Wings  shorter,  feet  larger dementis,  p.  313. 

Subgenus  Carpodacus. 
517.  Carpodacus  purpureus  (GmeL).    PURPLE  FINCH. 

Like  C.  p.  calif  ornicus,  but  wing  longer,  tail  shorter  ;  adult  male  lighter, 
rump  paler,  upper  parts  less  uniform  ;  adult  female  lighter,  less  uniform, 
and  less  greenish. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from  Hudson  Bay  to 
Pennsylvania ;  in  winter  south  to  Gulf  coast ;  accidental  in  Colorado. 

Mr.  Anthony  shot  a  female  purple  finch  at  Denver,  Nov.  15,  1885. 

517a.  Carpodacus  purpureus  calif  ornicus  Baird.  CALIFOR- 
NIA PURPLE  FINCH. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  dark  dull  madder  pink,  wine  purple  on  head 
and  paler,  more  pinkish  on  rump  ;  back  streaked ;  under  parts 
lighter  rose  pink  and  fading  to  unstreaked  white  on  middle  of 
belly  and  under  tail  coverts ;  sides  and  flanks  usually  strongly 
_     washed  with  brownish  and  broadly  streaked  with  darker  ;  tail 
Fig  395       mucn   shorter  than  wing,  deeply  emarginate.      Adult  female: 
upper  parts  olivaceous,  heavily   streaked  with  brown;  under 
parts  whitish,  narrowly  streaked  ;  side  of  head  with  white  stripe  crossing 
brown  of  ear  coverts  and  side  of  throat.   Young :  similar  to  female,  but 
colors  duller  and  markings  less  distinct,  edgings  of  wing  feathers  more 
buffy  or  tawny.     Male :  length  (skins),  5.20-6.10,  wing  3.03-3.20,  tail  2.28- 
2.43,  bill  .42-.49.     Female:  length  (skins)  5.09-5.84,  wing  2.95-3.10,  tail 
2.10-2.33,  bill  .41-.49. 

Remarks.  —  The  male  California  finch  may  be  distinguished  from  the 
house  finch  by  its  under  parts,  which  are  streaked  only  on  the  sides.  It 
differs  from  the  Cassin  finch  in  having  crown  and  rump  about  the  same 
color,  and  the  back  not  strikingly  streaked.  The  female  California  differs 
from  the  female  house  finch  in  being  strongly  olivaceous  above,  and  having 
a  white  stripe  on  the  side  of  the  head  through  the  brown  area,  and  its 
tail  much  shorter  than  wing,  and  deeply  emarginate.  The  female  Cassin 
is  more  sharply  streaked  on  the  back  with  darker  brown  streaks. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  mountains  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran 
zones  of  the  Pacific  coast  region,  from  British  Columbia  south ;  migrates 
to  southern  California  and  Arizona. 

Nest.  —  A  rather  thin,  flat  structure,  composed  largely  of  fine  rootlets  and 
grasses,  placed  on  horizontal  branches  of  trees.  Eggs :  2  to  4,  greenish  blue, 
or  bluish  green,  finely  speckled  on  larger  end  with  black  and  dark  brown. 

The  California  purple  finch  is  a  bird  of  higher  breeding  range  and 
less  domestic  nature  than  its  relative  the  house  finch.  In  central 
California,  Mr.  Belding  says,  it  is  common  from  3000  to  5000  feet  in 
summer,  though  of  course  it  comes  lower  in  winter.  In  Los  Angeles 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 


311 


Fig.  396.     Purple  Finch. 

County  Mr.  Grinnell  finds  it  a  common  winter  visitant  of  the  mesas  and 
lowlands,  haunting  thickets  and  brushy  places  in  small  companies. 

518.  Carpodacus  cassini  Baird.     CASSIN  PURPLE  FINCH. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head  with  squarish  patch  of  bright  crimson ;  rump 
dull  rose  pink ;  hack  and  scapulars  dull  pinkish  brown,  sharply  streaked 
with  dark  brown  ;  under  parts  pale  pink  fading  to  unstreaked  white  on 
belly ;  lower  tail  coverts  usually  conspicuously  streaked  with  dusky ;  wing 
feathers  edged  with  reddish ;  tail  much  shorter  than  wing,  deeply  emar- 
ginate.  Adult  female  :  whole  body  sharply  streaked  with  dusky  ;  ground 
color  of  upper  parts  olive  gray ;  of  under  parts  white.  Young  :  similar  to 
female,  but  streaks  of  lower  parts  narrower  and  wing  edgings  more  ochra- 
ceous.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.39-6.29,  wing  3.52-3.80,  tail  2.34-2.71,  bill 
.47-51.  Female  :  length  (skins)  5.55-6.05,  wing  3.42-3.60,  bill  .49-.50, 


312  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

Remarks.  —  The  male  Cassin  finch  may  be  distinguished  by  its  large  size, 
bright  squarish  crown  patch,  dull  rump, 
unstreaked  under  parts,  and  distinct 
streaks  on  under  tail  coverts. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian 
zone  from  British  Columbia  to  Mexico  ; 
from  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains  to  the  Pacific ;  and  migrates 
through  Mexico  to  Mt.  Orizaba. 

Nest.  —  Near  tops  of  young  firs  and 
pines  on  a  horizontal  branch ;  rather  thin 
and  flat,  composed  largely  of  rootlets 
an<^  8Tasses-  Eggs  :  2  to  4,  finely  spec- 
kled,  chiefly  around  the  larger  end,  with 
Fig.  397.  Cassiu  Purple  Pinch.  black  and  dark  brown. 

The  Cassia  finch  is  the  purple  finch  of  the  mountains,  breeding 
from  the  lower  edge  of  the  firs  to  timberline.  Its  square  crimson 
crown  patch  is  a  striking  sign  mark  in  the  shade  of  the  woods,  and 
its  sweet  song  gains  richness  from  its  forest  setting.  Even  in  winter 
the  birds  stay  as  high  as  they  can.  In  southern  California,  Mr. 
Grinnell  says  they  rarely  come  as  low  as  the  foothills,  but  go  about 
in  small  flocks,  feeding  in  the  brush  as  long  as  it  is  not  entirely 
covered  with  snow. 

Subgenus  Burrica. 
519.  Carpodacus  mexicanus  frontalis  (Say).    HOUSE  FINCH. 

Adult  male.  —  Forehead,  superciliary,  and  rump  rose  pink,  orange  red, 
or  scarlet ;   rest  of  upper  parts  brownish  gray, 
sometimes  washed  with  reddish ;  back  not  dis- 
^  tinctly  streaked  ;  throat  and  breast  reddish  ;  belly 

Fig  398     Male  whitish,  sharply  and  closely  streaked  with  brown ; 

tail  not  decidedly  shorter  than  wing,  nearly  even  ; 

wing  feathers  edged  with  pale  grayish  instead  of  reddish.  Adult  female : 
upper  parts  grayish  brown,  indistinctly  streaked ; 
under  parts  white,  broadly  streaked.  Young: 
similar  to  female,  but  back  more  distinctly 

Fig  399     Female  streaked,  under  parts  more  narrowly  and  less 

distinctly  streaked ;  wing  coverts  tipped  with 
buffy.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.80-6.10,  wing  2.99-3.33,  tail  2.14-2.60,  bill 
.38-.50,  Female :  length  (skins)  5.00-5.63,  wing  2.77-3.05,  tail  2.00-2.40, 
bill  .39-.43. 

Remarks.  — The  sharp  uniform  streaking  of  under  parts  distinguish  the 
house  finch  from  the  California  and  Cassin.  Individuals  suggest  dichro- 
matism  in  varying  amount  of  yellow  in  plumage.  (See  Condor,  Jan.  1901, 
13.) 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  western 
parts  of  Kansas  and  Texas  to  the  Pacific,  and  from  Oregon  to  northern 
Lower  California  and  northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Compactly  woven,  largely  of  dried  grass  stems  and  plant  fibers, 
placed  in  trees,  cactus,  or  sagebrush,  but  preferably  about  houses.  Eggs  : 
3  to  6,  bluish  white  or  pale  greenish  blue  sparsely  speckled,  chiefly  around 
larger  end,  with  black. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  313 

The  house  finch  in  the  west  is  even  more  familiar  than  the  robin 
in  the  east,  nesting  preferably  in  vines  and  odd  nooks  about  houses, 
though  it  adopts  any  site  that  offers,  from  a  stew-pan  hung  on  a  nail 
to  a  cactus.  Its  one  requirement  is  water,  and  this  is  so  absolute 
that  in  the  arid  country  the  sight  of  one  of  these  birds  encourages 
the  explorer  to  go  on  looking,  for  there  is  surely  one  water  hole  that 
has  not  dried  up,  be  it  ever  so  small,  and  he  has  only  to  follow  the 
birds  to  find  it. 

The  pretty  finch  is  a  charming,  companionable  little  fellow,  sing- 
ing cheerily  from  morning  till  night  a  happy,  bright  song  that  goes 
well  with  the  warmth  and  sunshine  of  the  low  country  it  lives  in. 
The  flight  song  of  the  male  is  quite  characteristic,  for  he  is  so  full  of 
music  that  he  never  can  contain  himself,  on  the  wing  or  off.  He 
fairly  bubbles  over  with  it  when  he  goes  a-courting  and  dances  be- 
fore his  demure  little  brown  lady-love. 

The  only  objection  to  the  familiarity  of  these  pretty  finches  is 
their  unfortunate  though  flattering  appreciation  of  western  fruit, 
but  happily  this  is  of  small  moment  in  many  of  the  cities  within 
their  range.  In  El  Paso,  Texas,  the  sweet  song  of  the  finch  comes 
in  through  the  open  windows  with  most  grateful  cheer,  suggesting 
forcibly  the  relief  it  would  be  if  the  English  sparrow  with  his  un- 
musical jabbering  could  be  exchanged  for  our  lovely  native  song- 
ster. In  some  of  the  country  districts  the  fact  that  it  has  been  seen 
eating  Russian  thistle  seeds  should  weigh  in  its  favor. 

519c.  C.  m.  dementis  (Mearns).    ISLAND  HOUSE  FINCH. 

Like  C.  m.  frontalis,  but  with  shorter  wing's,  larger  legs  and  feet,  larger, 
more  convex  bill,  heavier  coloration,  and  broader  striping  on  under  parts. 
Male:  length  (skins)  5.20-5.83,  wing  2.92-3.17,  tail  2.11-2.42,  bill  .39-.50. 
Female :  length  (skins)  5.32-5.67,  wing  2.92-3.00,  tail  2.10-2.30,  bill  .41-.46. 

Distribution.  —  Santa  Barbara  Islands,  California ;  and  Todos  Santos 
Island,  Lower  California. 

GENUS  LOXIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tips  of  bill  crossed  in  adults,  nasal  plumules  con- 
spicuous, concealing  nostrils  ;  wing  more  than  five  times  as  long  as  tarsus ; 
tail  short,  deeply  emarginate ;  tarsus  short. 

KEY    TO    SPECIES. 


Fig.  400. 

1.  Wing  with  two  white  bands leucoptera,  p.  315. 

1'.  Wing  without  white  bands. 

2.  Bill  heavier,  wing  nearly  4 Strickland!,  p.  314. 

2'.  Bill  lighter,  wing  about  3.40     . minor,  p.  314 


314  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

521.  Loxia  curvirostra  minor  (Brehm).    CROSSBILL. 

Adult  male.  —  Dull  red,  generally  brighter  on  rump  ;  gray  showing 
through  on  under  parts  ;  feathers  of  back  indistinctly  streaked  ;  wings 
and  tail  plain  dusky.  Adult  females  :  olivaceous,  often  shading  to  bright 
yellow.  Young :  streaked,  on  olive  gray  ground.  Young  male :  mixed  with 
yellow  and  red  before  reaching  adult  stage.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.04- 
6.64,  wing  3.18-3.66,  tail  1.72-2.16,  bill  .S7-.73.  Female:  length  (skins) 
4.92-6.06,  wing  3.10-3.57,  tail  1.50-2.12,  bill  .54-.70. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America,  but  chiefly  northward  and  east 
of  the  Plains ;  irregularly  abundant  in  winter. 

Nest.  —  In  coniferous  trees,  rather  flat,  composed  externally  of  spruce 
twigs  and  shreds  of  soft  bark,  lined  with  horsehair  and  fine  rootlets. 
Eggs :  usually  4,  pale  greenish,  spotted  with  various  shades  of  brown 
mixed  with  purplish  gray. 

Food.  —  Chiefly  seeds  of  conifers. 

Crossbills,  like  other  little  pensioners  of  the  trees,  go  and  come 
whenever  the  branches  spread  hospitable  feasts.  If  the  trees  yield 
no  nuts,  do  not  look  for  the  jays  or  acorn-eating  woodpeckers  ;  if  it 
is  not  a  cone  year  do  not  expect  the  crossbills.  But  when  the  time 
is  ripe,  some  red  letter  day  from  high  up  in  the  treetops  you  may 
catch  the  kimp,  kimp,  kimp,  of  a  busy  flock,  and  on  some  still  luckier 
day,  like  a  whirl  of  snowflakes  down  will  come  a  parti-colored  band 
with  their  queer  crossed  bills  and  coats  of  red  or  greenish  yellow. 
Then,  if  seeds  and  cones  favor,  perchance  the  flock  will  take  up  its 
abode  in  the  neighborhood  and  act  as  if  it  had  always  been  there,  till 
suddenly  some  day  it  has  disappeared  and  is  seen  no  more. 

At  Fort  Sherman,  Idaho,  Dr.  Merrill  has  seen  crossbills  in  every 
month  of  the  year,  though  their  occurrence  was  irregular.  At  times 
they  were  as  common  and  fearless  as  English  sparrows,  and  on  warm 
bright  days  in  February  and  March  he  says  '  their  pleasing  song  was 
heard  in  every  direction.' 

When  Dr.  Mearns  was  in  Arizona  he  chanced  on  a  good  year  and 
found  them  among  the  commonest  birds,  drinking  and  bathing  at 
the  springs  and  water  places  at  all  times  of  day. 

52 la.  Loxia  curvirostra  stricklandi  Ridgw.   MEXICAN  CROSS- 
BILL. 

Similar  to  minor,  but  larger,  colors  averaging  brighter,  and  lower  mandi- 
ble averaging  heavier.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.94-6.34,  wing  3.67-4.05,  tail 
2.08-2.32,  bill  .74-.S6.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.71-6.30,  wing  3.42-3.88, 
tail  1.88-2.14,  bill  .70-.81. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  from  Colorado  west  to  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and 
from  Wyoming  to  Guatemala. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  315 

522.  Loxia  leucoptera  Gmel.    WHITE- WINGED  CROSSBILL. 

Adult  male.  —  Dull  rose  red,  occasionally  tinged  with  yellow  or  orange  ; 
dark  bases  of  feathers  showing  through  and  back  clouded  with  black ; 
wings  and  tail  black,  wings  with  two  white 
bands,  confluent  at  upper  portion.  Adult  fe- 
male :  olive  green  or  gray  above,  indistinctly 
streaked  with  dusky  ;  rump  yellowish ;  wings 
as  in  male,  but  not  so  black ;  under  parts 
lighter,  more  tinged  with  yellowish.  Young  :  similar  to  female,  but  colors 
duller  and  streaking  pronounced.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.39-6.54,  wing 
3.33-3.60,  tail  2.00-2.34,  bill  .62-.69.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.20-6.22, 
wing  3.26-3.55,  tail  1.92-2.32,  bill  .S9-.66. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Boreal  zone  forests  of  northern  North  America ; 
winters  in  the  United  States  to  about  39°. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Adams,  deeply  saucer-shaped,  made  of  spruce 
twigs  and  lichens,  lined  with  hairs  and  inner  bark.  Eggs :  pale  blue, 
spotted  around  larger  end  with  black  and  lilac. 

Food.  —  Spruce  seeds,  buds,  and  berries. 

In  general  habits  the  white-winged  closely  resembles  the  other 
species  of  Loxia. 

GKENUS   LEUCOSTICTE. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  short-conical ;  nasal 
plumules  covering  nostrils  ;  wing  long,  pointed  ;  tail  about  two  thirds  as 
long  as  wing,  emarginate  ;  tarsus  short ;  hind  claw  equal  to  or  longer  than 
its  toe,  strongly  curved. 

KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Body  black •    •    atrata,  p.  317. 

1'.  Body  brown. 

2.  Body  light  brown australis,  p.  317. 

2'.  Body  dark  brown. 

3.  Gray  of  crown  spreading  down  over  sides  of  head. 

littoralis,  p.  316. 

3'.  Gray  of  crown  not  spreading  down  over  sides  of  head. 

tephrocotis,  p.  315. 

524.   Leucosticte   tephrocotis    Swains.    GRAY-CROWNED  LEU- 
COSTICTE. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Bill  black ;  crown  black,  bordered_behind  and 
on  sides  with  gray,  the  gray  not  spreading 
down  over  sides  of  head  ;  general  body  color 
deep  chestnut  brown,  lighter,  and  with  black- 
ish mesial  streaks  on  back;  belly,  rump, 
upper  tail  coverts,  wings,  and  tail  more  or 
less  tinged  with  pink.  Adult  male  in  win- 
ter :  bill  yellow,  tipped  with  blackish  ;  brown 
feathers  edged  with  whitish  ;  black  of  crown 
restricted.  Adult  female :  like  male,  with 
the  same  seasonal  changes,  but  averaging 
paler  and  duller.  Young:  plain  brownish, 
without  black  or  gray  on  head,  or  rosy  tail 
coverts.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.70-6.81, 
wing  4.00-4.40,  tail  2.42-2.80,  bill  .42-.4S.  *'ig.  402. 


316  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

Female:  length  (skins)  5.60-6.50,  wing  3.80-4.19,  tail  2.39-2.78,  bill  .43- 
.56. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  of  British  America ;  wintering1  in  the  Rocky 
Mountain  region  of  the  United  States.  Recorded  as  breeding  in  the  Sierra 
Nevada  and  the  White  Mountains  in  California. 

Nest. — (One,  on  Pyramid  Peak.)  In  winding  passage  between  rocks,  on 
ground,  made  of  dry  grass  stems  and  roots,  lined  with  fine  grass  stems 
and  a  few  feathers.  Eggs:  4,  white,  unmarked. 

The  leucostictes  are  birds  of  the  mountain  snow-banks  and  glaciers. 
They  feed  on  seeds  and  insects  blown  to  the  heights  and  left  to  be 
picked  up  about  the  border  of  the  melting  snow.  They  are  often 
found  at  an  altitude  of  from  11,000  to  12,000  feet,  and  under  the 
crest  of  Mt.  Whitney,  at  about  15,000  feet,  Mr.  Frank  Daggett 
found  a  pair  picking  up  insects  from  a  snow-drift.  When  a  hail- 
storm passed  over  the  peak  the  birds  took  refuge  under  granite 
slabs,  but  as  soon  as  it  was  over  they  were  back  on  the  snow. 

At  Fort  Keough,  Montana,  Capt.  Thome  reports  that  the  leuco- 
stictes come  in  November  and  stay  in  varying  numbers  till  the  last 
of  March,  picking  up  grain  in  the  corrals  and  often  taking  shelter  in 
old  cliff  swallow  nests.  When  it  is  cold  and  stormy,  he  says,  they 
gather  in  the  post  by  thousands,  but  when  a  warm  day  comes  they 
scatter  out  again. 

Along  the  crests  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  Rocky  Mountains  and 
the  higher  peaks  of  the  Cascade  range,  the  first  September  snow- 
storms bring  flocks  of  the  rosy  finches,  scurrying  with  the  driving 
snow,  or,  on  clear  days,  basking  in  the  sunshine  about  the  old  snow- 
banks  and  ice-fields. 

While  I  was  running  a  line  of  traps  along  the  slope  above  Mono 
Pass  in  the  Sierra  Nevada  one  morning  early  in  September,  with  my 
eyes  half  shut  to  keep  out  a  fine  driving  snow,  a  little  flock  of  nine 
rosy  finches  dropped  down  near  me  and  began  getting  their  breakfast 
from  a  last  year's  snow-bank,  hopping  about  and  picking  rapidly 
here  and  there  over  the  rough  surface,  fluffing  their  feathers  and 
facing  the  cutting  wind  to  keep  from  being  blown  away,  all  the 
time  talking  in  cheery  little  notes  among  themselves.  Now  and 
then  one  would  snuggle  up  in  the  lee  of  a  chunk  of  ice  or  a  stone, 
fluff  his  feathers,  and  hold  up  his  feet  to  warm  his  toes  just  as  the 
snowbirds  do  in  winter,  then  hop  out  again  and  pick  up  more  chilled 
bugs  from  the  surface  of  the  snow,  looking  up  at  me  with  a  frank 
trustfulness  that  had  surely  never  been  betrayed. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

5  24 a.  L.  t.  littoralis  (Baird).    HEPBURN  LEUCOSTICTE. 

Similar  to  the  gray-crowned,  but  gray  of  crown  spreading  down  over 
sides  of  head,  sometimes  covering  all  but  black  frontal  patch.  Male  :  length 
(skins)  6.04-6.80,  wing  4.00-4.32,  tail  2.36-2.75,  bill  .43-.49.  Female: 
length  (skins)  6.08-6.47,  wing  3.94-4.10,  bill  .45-.4Q. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  317 

Distribution.  —  In  summer,  mountains  of  southeastern  Alaska  and  prob- 
ably the  interior  mountain  regions  of  British  Columbia,  south  at  least  to 
snow-capped  mountains  of  Washington ;  in  winter,  northwest  coast  from 
Kadiak  southward;  extending  east  to  the  eastern  base  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains. 

"  A  pair  of  this  rare  species  was  found  feeding  full  grown  young 
on  the  moraines  just  below  the  glacier  of  Wright's  Peak  (Okanogan 
County,  Washington),  at  an  altitude  of  8000  feet.  North  and  west 
of  this  station  there  is  an  immense  area  of  glacier-flanked  peaks, 
where  the  birds  are  sure  to  find  a  congenial  summer  home."  (Daw- 
son.) 

In  Paradise  Park,  on  Mt.  Rainier,  Dr.  Fisher  found  the  Hepburn 
leucosticte  common  in  the  moraines  and  along  the  edges  of  bare 
ground,  feeding  on  grasshoppers  and  other  insects  benumbed  by  the 


525.  Leucosticte  atrata  Eidgw.    BLACK  LEUCOSTICTE. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Crown  black,  set  in  gray,  which  does  not  ex- 
tend over  sides  of  head ;  body  blackish  or  deep  clove  brown ;  feathers  of 
belly  and  sides  tipped  with  peach-blossom  pink ;  feathers  of  hind  neck, 
back,  and  scapulars  with  more  or  less  distinct  brownish  or  buffy  edgings ; 
rump  and  patch  on  wings  peach-blossom  pink.  Adult  male  in  winter : 
similar,  but  bill  yellowish,  tipped  with  dusky,  the  brownish  edgings  to 
scapulars  and  interscapulars  broader,  feathers  of  under  parts  more  or 
less  edged  with  grayish,  and  pink  markings  of  a  softer,  more  rosy  hue. 
Immature  male :  like  adult  male,  but  pink  markings  paler,  mainly  re- 
placed on  wings  by  buffy  white.  Adult  female :  much  duller  than  the 
male,  under  parts  grayish  brown,  upper  parts  brownish,  and  pink  paler 
and  restricted  or  replaced  by  whitish.  Immature  female :  like  adult  fe- 
male, but  duller  and  browner,  feathers  conspicuously  edged  with  brownish 
and  buffy.  Male  :  length  (skins)  5.90-6.26,  wing  4.21-4.27,  tail  2.62-2.75, 
bill  .41-.48.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.60-6.18,  wing  3.89-4.19,  tail  2.38- 
2.58,  bill  .45-.47. 

Remarks.  —  The  head  has  the  same  color  pattern  as  in  tephrocotis,  but 
the  body  is  blackish  or  very  dark  brown, 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  Salmon  River  Mountains,  Idaho,  and 
probably  northern  ranges  ;  winters  in  mountains  of  Colorado  and  Utah. 

526.  Leucosticte   australis    Eidgw.     BROWN-CAPPED   LEUCO- 

STICTE. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Bill  black,  crown  blackish  anteriorly,  shading 
toward  brown  of  back ;  body  light  brown,  becoming  pink  on  belly,  rump, 
and  wing  coverts,  and  sometimes  tinged  with  red  on  throat  and  breast. 
Adult  male  in  winter  :  similar,  but  bill  yellowish,  tipped  with  dusky  ;  crown 
brownish  gray  on  back  and  sides,  and  feathers  with  grayish  edgings  that 
give  scaled  effect  to  head.  Immature  male :  similar  to  adult,  but  greater 
wing  coverts  with  buffy  edgings  in  winter,  dull  whitish  in  summer- 
Adult  female :  similar  to  male,  with  same  seasonal  changes,  but  much 
duller,  and  pink  markings  indistinct.  Young  :  grayish  buffy  brown,  paler 
on  posterior  under  parts  ;  patches  on  wings  and  tail  coverts  buffy.  Male  : 
length  (skins)  5.71-6.48,  wing  3.99-4.40,  tail  2.39-2.86,  bill  .40-.50.  Fe. 
male  :  length  (skins)  5.63-6.15,  wing  3.00-4.25,  tail  2.40-2.70,  bill  .45-47. 


318  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETCo 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Alpine  zone  on  the  mountains  of  Colorado, 
descending  into  the  lower  zones  of  the  valleys,  and  south  to  New  Mexico 
in  winter. 

In  his  Birds  of  Colorado  Mr.  Cooke  says  that  the  brown-capped 
leucosticte  is  never  seen  below  timberline  in  summer,  and  nests  from 
12,000  feet  to  the  tops  of  the  highest  peaks.  In  August,  he  says, 
"old  and  young  swarm  over  the  summits  of  the  peaks,  picking  in- 
sects off  the  snow.  By  the  last  of  October  or  early  in  November 
they  descend  to  timberline  and  remain  there  through  the  winter, 
except  as  they  are  driven  a  little  lower  by  the  severest  storms. 
At  the  same  time  a  few  come  into  the  lower  valleys  almost  to  the 
base  of  the  foothills." 

They  have  been  reported  from  Silverton,  where  they  came  in 
large  flocks  and  were  killed  for  food. 

GENUS  ACANTHIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  conical,  strongly  compressed  toward  end, 
and  usually  acute  at  tip ;  nasal  plumules  nearly  covering  basal  half  of 
bill  except  in  summer  plumage  ;  wing  long,  pointed;  tail  long,  deeply 
forked  ;  tarsus  very  short,  side  toes  much  shorter  than  the  middle. 

KEY   TO  ADULTS. 

1.  Upper  parts  brownish,  rump  streaked linaria,  p.  319. 

1'.  Upper  parts  whitish,  rump  not  streaked    ....    exilipes,  p.  318. 

527a.  Acanthis  hornemannii  exilipes  (Coues).   HOARY  RED- 
POLL. 

Adult  male  in  spring.  —  Bill  dusky  ;  patch  on  top  of  head  crimson  ;  chin 
black ;  under  parts  almost  pure  white,  except  for 
pinkish  chest  and  fine  streaking  on  sides ;  upper 
parts  grayish  white  streaked  with  dusky ;    rump 
Fi     ^  white,  tinged  with  pink.     Adult   male   in  winter : 

similar,  but  bill  yellowish,  with  dusky  tip ;  upper 

parts  tinged  with  buffy,  dusky  streaks  narrower.  Adult  female  in  spring : 
like  male  in  spring  but  without  pink  on  rump  or  chest.  Adult  female  in 
winter :  similar,  but  upper  parts  more  strongly  tinged  with  buff,  dusky 
streaks  narrower,  and  bill  yellowish,  with  dusky  tip.  Male :  length  (skins) 
4.60-5.40,  wing  2.85-3.07,  tail  2.13-2.50,  bill  .27-.34.  Female:  length 
(skins)  4.59-5.16,  wing  2.74-2.94,  tail  2.10-2.29,  bill  .27-.34. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  northeastern  Asia  and  arctic  America;  south 
in  winter,  regularly  to  the  northern  United  States.  Recorded  from  Massa- 
chusetts, Illinois,  Maine,  and  Michigan. 

Nest.  —  A  rather  bulky  structure,  composed  largely  of  small  twigs  and 
straws  mixed  with  feathers  and  lined  with  feathers ;  placed  in  bushes  or 
small  trees.  Eggs :  2  to  5,  pale  bluish  green,  speckled,  chiefly  around 
larger  end  with  reddish  brown,  sometimes  mixed  with  a  few  black  specks 
or  lines. 

The  hoary  redpoll,  Mr.  Nelson  says,  is  the  most  abundant  of  the 
redpolls  in  northern  Alaska,  wb^ere  it  occurs  in  great  numbers.  Its 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  319 

habits  are  identical  with  those  of  the  common  redpoll.  Both  forms 
are  resident,  making  only  a  partial  migration  into  the  interior  in  the 
severest  weather. 

528.  Acanthis  linaria  (Linn.).    REDPOLL. 

Adult  male  in  breeding  plumage.  —  Chin  patch  and  feathers  around  bill 
blackish  ;  crown  crimson  ;  throat,  sides,  and  rump  more  or  less 
washed  with  pink  or  crimson ;  rest  of  under  parts  white,  sides 
streaked  with  dusky ;  upper  parts  streaked,  dark  brown  and 
huffy,  lighter  but  streaked  on  rump,  rump  washed  with  pink  ; 
bill  horn  color,  dusky  at  tip.  Adult  male  in  winter  plumage :  F-  ^ 
much  lighter,  wing  bands  more  or  less  buffy,  pink  paler ;  bill 
light  yellow,  black  at  tip.  Adult  female:  similar  to  the  male,  but  pink  of 
under  parts  replaced  by  buffy  or  whitish ;  seasonal  difference  same  as  in 
male.  Young :  like  adults,  but  without  pink  or  red,  crown  streaked  and 
sides  and  wing  bands  more  or  less  buffy.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.31-5.32, 
wing  2.78-3.01,  tail  1.91-2.29,  bill  .31-.38.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.29- 
5.43,  wing  2.76-3.00,  tail  1.99-2.30,  bill  .30-.39. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  -northern  parts  of  the  northern  hemisphere  ; 
south  irregularly  in  winter,  in  North  America  as  far  as  California,  Mis- 
souri, and  Alabama. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  small  trees,  bulky,  made  of  twigs,  straws,  and 
feathers.  Eggs  :  2  to  5,  pale  bluish  green,  speckled,  chiefly  around  larger 
end,  with  reddish  brown,  sometimes  mixed  with  a  few  black  specks  or 
lines. 

Food.  —  Buds  and  weed  seed. 

The  redpolls  are  common  in  Colorado,  from  November  to  March, 
from  the  plains  to  10,000  feet.  Prof.  Cooke  says  they  remain  high  in 
the  mountains,  even  when  the  temperature  is  thirty  degrees  below 
zero,  which  does  not  seem  strange,  as  most  of  them  winter  in  Alaska. 
In  spring,  Mr.  Nelson  tells  us,  "they  are  beautiful  objects,  with 
their  bright  rosy  hues  and  fluffy  plumage.  On  warm  sunshiny  days 
during  April  they  come  familiarly  up  to  the  very  windows  and 
doors,  and  peer  about  with  an  odd  mixture  of  confidence  and  curios- 
ity, examining  everything  and  scarcely  deigning  to  move  aside  as 
the  people  pass  back  and  forth."  After  the  nesting  season,  he  says, 
"they  come  trooping  about,  young  and  old,  in  large  parties,  with 
great  confidence  and  a  peculiar  pertness,  taking  possession  of  the 
premises  and  using  the  roofs  and  fences  for  convenient  perches, 
making  excursions  thence  to  whatever  point  appears  likely  to  yield 
food,  or  chasing  each  other  playfully  about."  Through  July  and 
August  they  are  extremely  abundant  in  Alaska,  but  by  the  end  of 
September  the  majority  have  left  the  coast,  most  of  them  going  into 
the  interior,  where  they  brave  the  severest  weather. 

GENUS   ASTRAGALINTJS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  conical,  acute  ;  wing  long  and  pointed  ;  tail 
emarginate ;  tarsus  as  short  or  shorter  than  middle  toe  with  claw. 


320  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

KEY   TO   ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Throat  with  black  patch lawrencei,  p.  323. 

1'.  Throat  without  black  patch. 
2.  Back  yellow. 

3.  Body  pale  yellow.     Rocky  Mountain  plateau   .    pallid  us,  p.  321. 
3'.  Body  bright  yellow. 

4.  In  winter,  browner,  with  broader  wing  markings.     Pacific  coast. 

salicamans,  p.  321. 

4'.  In  winter  less  brown,  with  narrower  wing  markings.     East  of 
Rocky  Mountains  to  Atlantic  coast    ....     tristis,  p.  320. 
2'.  Back  olive  green  or  black. 

3.  Back  without  black.     Rocky  Mountains  to  California. 

psaltria,  p.  322. 
3'.  Back  wholly  or  partly  black. 

4.  Back  and  ear  coverts  solid  black.     Mexico  and  Central  Texas. 

mexicanus,  p.  322. 

4'.  Back  or  ear  coverts  mixed  with  olive  green.     Colorado  and  New 
Mexico  to  Pacific arizonae,  p.  322. 

629.  Astragalinus  tristis  (Linn.).    GOLDFINCH. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Whole  body  canary  yellow,  in  sharp  contrast  to 
black  crown,  wings,  and  tail ;  wings  with  white  bars  and  tail  feathers  with 
white  patches.  Adult  female  in  summer:  upper  parts  olive  brown,  some- 
times tinged  with  green  or  gray ;  wings  and  tail  dull  blackish  brown ; 
white  markings  duller;  under  parts  grayish  white,  more  or  less  tinged 
with  yellow.  Adult  male  in  winter :  similar  to  female  in  summer,  but 
wings  and  tail  deep  black,  broadly  and  clearly  marked  with  white.  Adult 
female  in  winter:  similar  to  summer  plumage,  but  more  tinged  with 
brownish,  white  markings  broader  and  more  tinged  with  buffy.  Young : 
similar  to  winter  adults,  but  browner,  wing  markings  and  general  suffusion 
cinnamon  ;  shoulder  patch  mixed  with  black  instead  of  unicolored  as  in  the 
male.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.26-4.79,  wing  2.78-2.96,  tail  1.71-2.02,  bill 
.38-.41.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.27-4.76,  wing  2.59-2.79,  tail  1.56-1.84, 
bill  .37-.41. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from  the 
southern  British  Provinces  south  to  Kentucky  and  Kansas,  east  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains  ;  winters  south  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  — A  neat  cup-shaped  structure  of  compactly  woven  plant  fibers, 
lined  with  down  and  other  soft  materials ;  placed  in  tall  bushes  or  low 
trees.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  plain  pale  bluish  or  bluish  white. 

Food .  —  Largely  weed  seed. 

The  goldfinches,  or  wild  canaries,  as  they  are  popularly  called  in 
their  many  forms,  if  not  as  cultivated  songsters  as  their  caged  rela- 
tives, have  much  sweeter  call-notes  and  a  happy  round  of  their  own. 
Their  indolent  lisping  notes  have  a  tinge  of  sadness,  but  as  they 
raise  their  heads  from  a  thistle  or  sunflower  to  give  them,  and  then 
flit  lightly  off  and  go  sauntering  in  undulating  flight  through  the 
air  the  gentle- spirited  birds  seem  as  light-hearted  as  butterflies. 

In  their  home  life  they  are  among  the  most  charming  of  birds, 
being  tender,  devoted  mates  and  watchful  parents. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 


321 


Fig.  405.     Goldfinch. 

529a.  A.  t.  pallidllS  (Mearns).    PALE.  GOLDFINCH. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Similar  to  tristis,  but  larger  and  paler,  white 
markings  of  wings  and  tail  more  extended.  Adult  male  in  winter :  much 
lighter  than  tristis,  with  tints  purer  and  white  more  extended.  Male: 
length  (skins)  4.30-5.09,  wing  2.81-3.08,  tail  1.72-2.05,  bill  .3S-.43.  Fe- 
male :  length  (skins)  4.42-5.00.  wing  2.71-2.92,  tail  1.70-2.03,  bill  .39-.44. 

Remarks.  —  The  principal  difference  between  pallidus  and  tristris  is  in 
winter  plumage. 

Distribution.  —  Rocky  Mountain  plateau  district  from  British  Columbia 
and  Manitoba  south  to  northern  and  eastern  Mexico. 

529b.  A.  t.  salicamans  (Grinn.).    WILLOW  GOLDFINCH. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Except  for  shorter  wings  and  tail  scarcely 
distinguishable  from  tristis ;  black  cap,  if  anything,  not  so  extended  and 


322  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

yellow  not  so  intense ;  the  white  edgings  on  wings  worn  off  so  there  is 
scarcely  a  trace  of  white  left.  Adult  female  in  summer :  much  darker  than 
female  of  tristis,  dull  greenish  yellow  on  throat  instead  of  bright  yellowish 
green.  Young:  dark  colored.  Adult  male  in  winter:  similar  to  tristis, 
but  browner  and  with  much  broader  wing  markings;  back  dark  olive 
brown ;  sides  and  flanks  shaded  with  brown ;  throat  bright  yellow,  shad- 
ing to  dull  green  on  breast  and  to  pure  white  on  belly.  Adult  female  in 
winter :  similar  to  male,  but  wings,  tail,  and  throat  duller ;  bill  dusky. 
Male:  length  (skins)  4.08-4.82,  wing  2.60-2.89,  tail  1.70-1.82,  bill  .39-42. 
Female:  length  (skins)  4.28-4.70,  wing  2.63-2.72,  tail  1.70-1.79,  bill 
.S9-.42. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast,  from  Washington  south  to  Lower  Cali- 
fornia. 

530.  Astragalinus  psaltria  (Say).    ARKANSAS  GOLDFINCH. 
Adult  male.  —  Ear  coverts,  and  entire  upper  parts,  including  wings  and 
tail,  black,  wings  with  broad  white  edgings, 
tail  with   most   of  its   feathers  extensively 
white  basally  ;  under   parts  canary  yellow. 
Adult  female :  upper  parts   plain  dull  olive 
Fig.  406.    Adult  male.  green  ;    under  parts  light  greenish  yellow  ; 

head  without  black ;    wings  and  tail  as  in  male,  but  black  duller,  and 
white  more  restricted,  sometimes  obsolete  on  tail.      Young  :  similar  to  fe- 
male, but  tinged  with  buffy,  and  wing  coverts 
tipped  with   buff.     Immature :  crown  black, 
rest  of  upper  parts  grading  from  olive  green 
to  solid  black  on  ear  coverts  and  back ;  under 
Fig.  407.    Immature  male.         parts  yellow. 

Distribution.  —  Colorado,  New  Mexico,  Texas,  and  Mexico,  except  north- 
western and  extreme  southern  portions. 
Nest  and  eggs  like  those  of  tristis. 
Food.  —  Largely  weed  seed. 

The  fact  that  psaltria  is  a  long  time  in  acquiring  the  black  dress 
of  the  adult  male,  breeding  first  in  the  green-backed  immature  plu- 
mage has  led  to  much  confusion.  The  three  stages  of  its  develop- 
ment (1)  that  in  which  the  ear  coverts  and  back  are  plain  olive,  (2) 
that  in  which  they  are  olive  mixed  with  black,  and  (3)  that  in  which 
they  are  solid  black,  were  each  dignified  by  a  name  until  enough 
specimens  were  collected  to  demonstrate  that  the  differences  were 
purely  those  of  age.1 

Another  source  of  confusion  regarding  psaltria  is  in  its  common 
name,  Arkansas  Goldfinch,  which  suggests  that  it  is  an  eastern 
bird.  The  fact  is,  however,  that  it  was  named  from  its  first  discov- 
ery on  the  Arkansas  River  in  Colorado  ! 

In  Colorado,  Professor  Cooke  states,  it  breeds  from  the  Plains  to 
over  9000  feet.  It  is  a  late  migrant  there,  scarcely  reaching  northern 
Colorado  before  the  middle  of  June,  being  a  late  breeder  like  the 
other  goldfinches. 

1  See  "  North  American  forms  of  Astragalinus  psaltria  (Say)."  By  H.  C.  Oberholser. 
Proc.  Biol.  Soc.,  Washington,  xvi.  113-116,  September  30,  1903. 


FINCHES,   SPARROWS,   ETC.  323 

530a.  A.  p.  hesperophilus  Oberh.    GREEN-BACKED  GOLDFINCH. 

Similar  to  psaltria,  but  ear  coverts,  sides  of  neck,  back,  nape,  and  rump, 
in  fully  adult  plumage,  olive  green  instead  of  black.  Wing  2.46,  tail  1.70 
bill  .35. 

Distribution.  —  Southwestern  United  States  and  northwestern  Mexico, 
from  California  and  Lower  California  to  Utah,  Arizona,  and  extreme 
southwestern  New  Mexico. 

In  southern  California,  as  Mr.  Grinnell  says,  the  green-backed 
goldfinch  is  not  only  abundant  about  gardens,  and  orchards,  but  goes 
up  to  6000  feet  in  the  mountains. 

531.  Astragalinus  lawrencei  (Cass.).    LAWRENCE  GOLDFINCH. 

Adult  male.  —  Face  and  throat  as  well  as  crown  black ;  median  under 
parts  yellow,  surrounded  by  gray  ;  rump  and 
wings   washed  with  greenish  yellow.     Adult 
female :  similar  to  male,  but  without  black  on 
head  or  throat,  and  colors  duller.     In  winter :  Fig.  408. 

both  sexes  colored  as  in  summer,  but  colors 

more  subdued.  Young :  similar  to  adult  female,  but  duller,  and  lower 
parts  indistinctly  streaked.  Male :  length  (skins)  3.92-4.66,  wing  2.61- 
2.76,  tail  1.81-2.00,  bill  .31-.33.  Female  :  length  (skins)  4.04-4.50,  wing 
2.48^2.64,  tail  1.66-1.87,  bill  .31-.35. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  about 
latitude  40°  in  California,  west  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  south  to  Lower  Cali- 
fornia ;  occurs  during  winter  in  southern  Arizona  and  New  Mexico. 

Eggs.  —  Pure  white. 

Food.  —  Largely  weed  seed,  including  that  of  the  Russian  thistle. 

In  Los  Angeles  County,  California,  Mr.  Grinnell  says  lawrencei  is 
found  mainly  on  the  mesa,  in  the  mountain  canyons,  and  pine  for- 
ests below  6000  feet.  From  December  until  the  last  of  March  small 
flocks  feed  in  weed  patches  along  the  banks  of  the  arroyos. 

GENUS    SPINUS. 
533.  Spinus  pinus  (Wils.).    PINE  SISKIN:  PINE  FINCH. 

Similar  to  Astragalinus,  but  plumage  streaked  gray  and  brown,  without 
yellow  or  black  except  for  yellow  patches  on  wings  and  tail.    Adults  : 
whole    body    finely   streaked   with    brown,    on   brownish 
ground  above,  on  whitish  below  ;  basal  portions  of  seconda- 
ries and  tail  feathers  sulphur  yellow.     Young :  upper  parts 
mustard    yellow,    tinged    with    brownish    olive,    feathers 
streaked,  except  on  belly ;  wing  bands  and  patches  brown. 
Male :  length  (skins)  4.20-4.85,  wing  2.72-3.00,  tail  1.57- 
1.83,  bill  .3S-.44.     Female:  length  (skins)  4.23-5.14,  wing 
2.63-2.97,  tail  1.60-1.81,  bill  .39-.47. 

Remarks.  —  The  siskin  is  easily  recognized  in  the  field,  as  the  yellow 
wing  and  tail  patches  show  in  flight. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and  Hudsonian  zone  forests  in  the 
mountains  of  western  North  America,  also  in  the  northeastern  United  States ; 
may  occur  in  winter  in  almost  any  part  of  the  United  States  and  Mexico. 

Nest.  Usually  in  coniferous  trees,  flatfish,  made  of  fine  twigs,  rootlets, 
and  plant  fibers,  lined  with  fine  rootlets  and  hair.  Eggs  :  usually  .°>  or  4, 
pale  greenish  hlue.  speckled,  chiefly  around  the  larger  end,  with  reddish 
brown,  usually  with  a  few  small  black  markings. 


324  CINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

The  pine  finch  resembles  the  goldfinch  in  general,  but  its  home  is 
in  the  evergreen  mountain  forests,  and  after  the  nesting  season  it 
wanders  erratically  over  the  country  in  high-flying  flocks,  giving  its 
plaintive  cha,  cha,  as  it  goes,  and  coming  to  earth  when  a  weed 
patch  or  the  cones  of  an  evergreen  offer  it  a  meal.  It  might  easily 
be  mistaken  for  a  striped  sparrow,  but  as  it  spreads  its  wings  and 
tail  to  get  its  balance  in  feeding,  the  yellow  patches  identify  it  at  a 
glance.  When  disturbed  at  a  meal  the  flocks  often  make  short 
circling  flights,  loath  to  give  up  their  harvest.. 

In  Colorado,  Prof.  Cooke  says  it  is  a  common  resident,  abundant 
along  the  foothills  during  migrations,  and  from  7000  feet  to  timber- 
line  in  summer.  Some  stay  near  timberline  through  the  winter, 
but  the  bulk  scatter  over  the  lower  valleys  and  plains.  In  southern 
California  Mr.  Griimell  finds  it  irregularly  in  the  willow  regions 
and  lowlands  in  winter. 

GENUS    PASSER. 

Passer  domesticus  (Linn.).     ENGLISH  SPARROW. 

Form  stout  and  stocky  ;  bill  very  stout,  curved,  side  outlines  bulging-  to 
near  the  end ;  wing  pointed ;  tail  shorter  than 
wings,  nearly  even  ;  feet  small.  Adult  male  :  lores, 

throat,  and  chest  patch  black  ;  rest  of  under  parts 

Fig.  410.    Male.          grayish  ;  top  of  head  and  ear  coverts  grayish,  with 
bright  chestnut  patches  between  eye  and  nape  ;  wing 

with  chestnut  patch  and  two  white  bands  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  brown,  back 
streaked  with  black ;  upper  parts  dull  brown ; 
under  parts  dull  gray.  Adult  female :  crown  and 

hind   neck  grayish  brown  or  olive ;  entire  under 

Fig.  411.    Female.  parts  brownish  white  or  gray  ;   back  browner,  less 

refuscent  than  in  male.     Length :  5.50-6.25,  wing 
about  2.85-3.00,  tail  2.35-2.50. 

Distribution.  —  Europe  in  general,  except  Italy  ;  introduced  and  natural- 
ized in  Canada  and  the  United  States,  from  the  Atlantic  west  to  Utah  and 
New  Mexico,  with  colonies  in  central  California,  Portland,  Oregon,  and 
Seattle,  Washington;  also  Bahamas,  Cuba,  Bermudas,  Nova  Scotia,  and 
southern  Greenland. 

Nest.  —  About  houses  or  in  trees,  bulky,  made  largely  of  dried  grasses. 
Eggs :  4  to  7,  thickly  spotted  with  dark  brown  and  purplish. 

"The  introduction  of  the  English  sparrow  is  one  of  the  most 
familiar  examples  of  acclimatization.  Brought  over  to  the  United 
States  in  1850,  the  bird  developed  such  a  marvelous  ability  to 
adapt  itself  to  new  surroundings  and  increased  so  rapidly  that  by 
1870  it  had  gained  a  foothold  in  twenty  states  and  the  District  of 
Columbia,  as  well  as  in  two  provinces  of  Canada.  At  the  present 
time  [1899]  it  is  found  in  every  state  and  territory  except  Alaska, 
Arizona,  Montana,  and  Nevada."  (Palmer.) 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  325 

GENUS   PASSERINA. 

534.  Passerina  nivalis  (Linn.).    SNOWFLAKE. 

Under  mandible  thicker  than  upper,  gonys  very  short,  nostrils  concealed 
by  plumules ;  wing1  nearly  five  times  as  long  as  tarsus ;  tail  emarginate, 
about  two  thirds  hidden  by  coverts  ;  hind  claw  about  as  long  as  its  toe, 
curved.  Adult  male  in  summer :  white,  with  black  on  bill,  middle  of  back, 
scapulars,  greater  part  of  primaries, 
and  four  to  six  middle  tail  feathers. 
Adult  male  in  winter :  washed  with  rusty 
on  upper  parts,  sides  of  head,  and  chest ; 
bill  yellow,  with  dusky  tip.  Adult  fe-  Fig.  412. 

male   in   summer:  upper  parts  broadly 

streaked  with  black ;  wing  and  tail  with  black  of  male  replaced  by  black- 
ish brown ;  wing  with  much  less  white.  Adult  female  in  winter  :  like  sum- 
mer female,  but  upper  parts  more  or  less  stained  with  rusty  brown  and 
feathers  of  back  more  edged  with  buff y.  Young :  under  parts  dull  whit- 
ish ;  upper  parts  gray  ;  wings  and  tail  mainly  dusky  and  brown  ;  white  of 
wing  much  restricted.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.85-7.21,  wing  4.19-4.58, 
tail  2.40-2.91,  bill  .3S-.45.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.95-6.62,  wing  3.90- 
4.10,  tail  2.39-2.62,  bill  .3S-.43. 

Remarks.  —  The  September  birds  may  be  distinguished  by  feathers  of 
head,  nape,  and  rump,  which  are  basally  white  in  the  male,  basally  black 
in  the  female. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  arctic  regions  of  the  northern  hemisphere  ; 
in  North  America  south  in  winter  to  the  northern  United  States,  irregu- 
larly to  Georgia,  Illinois,  Kansas,  Colorado,  and  Oregon. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  composed  of  dried  grasses,  lined  with  finer  grasses 
and  feathers.  Eggs:  usually  5,  whitish,  varying  from  dull  purplish  to 
greenish,  speckled  chiefly  on  larger  end  with  shades  of  brown,  usually 
with  a  few  small  black  markings. 

Food.  —  Largely  weed  seed,  grass  seed,  and  refuse  grain  in  winter,  and 
small  crustaceans,  mollusks,  insects,  and  seeds  in  summer. 

"  The  snowflake  is  a  well  known  summer  bird  in  all  the  circum- 
polar  regions,  and  none  of  the  various  arctic  expeditions  have  ex- 
tended their  explorations  beyond  the  points  where  this  handsome 
species  is  found.  It  chooses  indifferently  the  bleak  shores  of  the 
arctic  islands  encircled  by  an  icy  sea,  or  the  warmer  shores  to  the 
south  as  far  as  the  Aleutian  Islands,  and  nearly  as  far  on  the 
opposite  Siberian  shore  of  Bering  Sea.  Although  it  rears  its  young 
far  from  the  usual  haunts  of  man,  it  passes  to  the  south  and  is  one 
of  the  most  familiar  and  well-known  birds  through  the  northern 
states."  (Nelson.) 

GENUS   CALCABIUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  small,  acutely  conical,  deeper  than  broad  at 
base  ;  nostrils  exposed ;  wing  long,  pointed ;  tail  more  than  half  hidden 
by  pointed  upper  coverts ;  hind  claw  about  length  of  its  toe,  slender,  and 
nearly  straight. 


326  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES   OF   CALCARIDS. 

1.  Tail  feathers  chiefly  white  at  base ornatus,  p.  328. 

1'.  Tail  feathers  chiefly  dusky  at  base. 

2.  Inner  web  of  outer  tail  feather  chiefly  white   .     .     .   pictus,  p.  327. 
2'.  Inner  web  of  outer  tail  feather  chiefly  dusky. 

3.  Darker lapponicus,  p'.  326. 

3'.  Paler alascensis,  p.  327. 

536.  Calcarius  lapponicus  (Linn.).     LAPLAND  LONGSPUR. 

Inner  web  of  outer  tail  feather  chiefly  dusky.     Adult  male  in  summer : 
fore  parts  black,  contrasting   strikingly   with 
white  of  belly,  and  white  or  buffy  line  from 
eye  to  hind  neck ;  hind  neck  deep  rufous  ;  back 
streaked    black,  brown,   buffy,    and  whitish; 
wings   dusky,  with   brown  and   whitish  edg- 
ings ;  tail  chiefly  blackish  brown.     Adult  male  in  winter :  black  area  and 
rufous  nape  patch  greatly  restricted,  and  more  or  less  obscured  by  white 
or   brownish  tips  to  feathers ;  sides  of  head 
mainly  light  brownish.     Adult  female  in  sum- 
mer :  like  winter  male  but  smaller,  markings 
sharper,  black  of  chest  more  restricted,  and 
Fig.  414.     Winter  male.  hind  neck  streaked  with  blackish.  Adult  female 

in  winter :  similar  to  summer  female,  but  browner  and  less  sharply  streaked 
above ;  hind  neck  often  without  trace  of  rufous  ;  under  parts  dingy  white, 
chest  markings  only  suggested.  Young :  upper  parts  tawny  buff,  broadly 
streaked  with  black  except  for  wings  and  tail ;  under  parts  pale  buffy, 
throat,  chest,  and  sides  broadly  streaked  with  black.  Male :  length  (skins) 
5.68-6.80,  wing  3.55-3.96,  tail  2.35-2.62,  bill  .41-.48.  Female:  length 
(skins)  5.34-6.20,  wing  3.45-3.63,  tail  2.30-2.55,  bill  .41-.45. 

Remarks.  —  The  long,  nearly  straight  hind  claw  distinguishes  this  genus 
and  Rhynchophanes  from  the  other  Fringillidce,  and  the  black-tipped  tail 
marks  off  Rhynchophanes.  In  Calcarius  the  white  breast  and  belly  distin- 
guish the  Lapland  from  the  buff -breasted  Smith  longspur. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  far  north  in  the  northern  hemisphere  ;  migrates 
in  North  America  south  to  Texas,  but  most  abundantly  to  Kansas  and 
Colorado. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  composed  mainly  of  dried  grasses,  lined  largely  with 
feathers.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  dull  whitish,  spotted  or  speckled  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Insects  such  as  weevils,  grasshoppers,  and  beetles ;  locust  eggs, 
weed  seed,  and  grain. 

The  Lapland  longspurs  reach  Colorado  in  October,  Prof.  Cooke 
states,  going  up  into  'the  lower  mountain  parks  at  first  but  descend- 
ing to  the  plains  when  severe  weather  comes. 

Colonel  Goss  says  that  they  wander  over  the  prairies  and  treeless 
plains  of  Kansas  in  enormous  flocks,  subsisting  on  seeds  of  weeds 
and  grasses.  In  looking  for  food,  he  says,  ' '  they  skim  over  the 
ground  in  a  wavy,  zigzag  form,  and  on  alighting  run  swiftly  and 
heedlessly  about,  squatting  close  to  the  ground  at  the  near  approach 
of  an  intruder  and  remaining  motionless,  hoping  to  be  passed  un- 
observed. When  started  they  rise  in  a  quick,  uncertain  manner,'' 
which  prairie  falcons  and  other  enemies  often  take  advantage  of, 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  327 

"dashing  in  and  striking  down  many  of  the  birds  before  the  flock  is 
well  under  headway." 

In  their  summer  home,  Mr.  Nelson  says  the  longspur  is  "  a  widely 
spread  circumpolar  bird,  whose  presence  is  recorded  from  nearly 
every  point  visited  by  explorers  along  the  shores  of  the  arctic  coast. 
.  .  .  When  they  arrive  early  in  May,"  he  adds,  "  the  ground  is  still 
largely  covered  with  snow  with  the  exception  of  grassy  spots  along 
southern  exposures  and  the  more  favorably  situated  portions  of  the 
tundra,  and  here  may  be  found  these  birds  in  all  the  beauty  of  their 
elegant  summer  dress.  The  males,  as  if  conscious  of  their  handsome 
plumage,  choose  the  tops  of  the  only  breaks  in  the  monotonous  level, 
which  are  small  rounded  knolls  and  tussocks.  The  male  utters  its 
song  as  it  flies  upward  from  one  of  these  knolls,  and  when  it  reaches 
the  height  of  ten  or  fifteen  yards  it  extends  the  points  of  its  wings 
upwards,  forming  a  large  V-shaped  figure,  and  floats  gently  to  the 
ground,  uttering,  as  it  slowly  sinks,  its  liquid  tones,  which  fall  in 
tinkling  succession  upon  the  ear,  and  are  perhaps  the  sweetest 
notes  that  one  hears  during  the  entire  springtime  in  these  regions." 

536a.  C.  1.  alascensis  Eidgw.    ALASKAN  LONGSPUR. 

Similar  to  the  Lapland  longspur,  but  decidedly  paler,  especially  in 
winter ;  summer  adults  with  ground  color  of  upper  parts  light  buffy  gray- 
ish brown,  with  little  if  any  rusty  tinge,  even  on  wings ;  and  the  black 
streaks  relatively  narrower.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.75-6.55,  wing  3.59- 
3.92,  tail  2.30-2.68,  bill  .41-.49.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.34-6.25,  wing 
3.39-3.67,  tail  2.19-2.48,  bill  .40-.47. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Alaska,  migrating  in  the  United  States  to 
Nevada,  Colorado,  and  western  Kansas. 

537.  Calcarius  pictus  (Swains.).    SMITH  LONGSPUR. 

Inner  web  of   outer  tail  feather  chiefly  white.     Adult  male  in  summer: 
top  and  sides  of  head  black  marked  with  three 
white  stripes  —  behind  eye,  across  ear  coverts, 
and  down  sides  of  neck  ;  hind  neck  and  entire 

under  parts  brownish  buff,  hind  neck  streaked  Fi  415^  Sum m'er' male 
with  black  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  streaked  buffy 
brown  and  black.  Adult  male  in  winter:  black  of  head  replaced  by 
streaked  brownish,  like  rest  of  upper  parts  ;  throat  and  chest  also  more  or 
less  streaked.  Adult  female  in  summer :  like  winter  male,  but  smaller, 
paler,  and  grayer,  and  without  clear  black  or  white  on  wing  coverts ;  entire 
upper  parts  streaked  brown  and  blackish.  In  winter,  similar,  but  more 
buffy.  Young :  similar  to  winter  adults,  but  markings  wanting  or  obscure, 
entire  under  parts  yellowish  brown  or  buffy ;  throat  obscurely  streaked  ; 
tail  white  only  on  two  or  three  outer  feathers.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.84- 
6.81,  wing  3.40-3.79,  tail  2.33-2.71,  bill  .40-44.  Female:  length  (skins) 
5.53-5.76,  wing  3.41-3.54,  tail  2.18-2.32,  bill  .40-.45. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  of  North  America,  breeding  north  to  the  arctic 
coast  and  migrating  in  the  United  States  to  Texas  and  southern  Arizona. 

Eggs. — Like  those  of  the  Lapland  longspur,  but  averaging  lighter,  the 
whitish  distinctly  spotted  style  prevailing. 

Food.  —  In  winter  largely  weed  seed. 


328  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

In  winter,  Colonel  Goss  says,  the  Smith  longspur  is  often  asso- 
ciated with  other  species  of  longspurs  and  horned  larks.  "Their 
favorite  resorts,"  he  states,  "are  along  old  trails  and  abandoned 
wagon  roads  upon  the  prairies,  where  the  grass  is  short." 

538.  Calcarius  ornatus   (Towns.).     CHESTNUT-COLLARED  LONG- 

SPUK. 

Tail  feathers  with  bases  of  all  but  middle  pair  white.  Adult  male  in 
summer :  throat  and  sides  of  head  white  or  buffy, 
in  striking  contrast  to  black  under  parts ;  black 
sometimes  invaded  by  reddish  brown ;  upper 
parts  with  black  crown,  markings  on  sides  of 
ale>  head  and  shoulder  patch ;  nape  bright  rufous  ; 

rest  of  upper  parts  streaked ;  in  full  plumage  shoulder  patch  deep  black 
tipped  with  white.     Adult  male  in  winter :  similar,  but  black  and  rufous 
obscured  or  concealed  by  brownish  or  buffy  tips 
to  feathers.      Adult  female:   buffy    brownish, 
streaked  with  blackish  on  upper  parts  and  some- 
times   lightly    streaked   on   breast   and    belly. 
Fig.  417.    Winter  male.        Plumage    softer  and    colors    more    blended    in 

winter.  Young :  blackish  feathers  bordered  with  whitish  and  brownish ; 
wing  coverts  tipped  with  whitish  ;  superciliary  indistinct ;  ear  coverts 
streaked  ;  throat  white,  flecked  with  dusky  ;  rest  of  under  parts  dull  buff, 
streaked,  especially  on  breast.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.63-5.89,  wing  3.20— 
3.55,  tail  2.00-2.39,  bill  .3S-.44.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.67-5.64,  wing 
2.97-3.33,  tail  1.89-2.25,  bill  .39-.43. 

Remarks.  —  The  female  is  an  obscure  bird,  but  may  be  recognized  by  its 
generic  characters  and  extensively  white  tail. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  on  the 
Plains  from  Assiniboia  to  Kansas  ;  winters  from  Nebraska  south  through 
Texas,  New  Mexico,  and  Arizona,  to  Orizaba,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  made  largely  of  dried  grasses,  lined  with  feathers. 
Eggs :  3  to  6,  white,  tinged  with  pink,  buff,  or  green ;  distinctly  spotted 
with  blackish  or  shades  of  brown. 

Food.  —  Largely  weed  seed. 

In  a  list  of  the  birds  of  Fort  Hays,  Kansas,  Dr.  Allen  states  that 
the  chestnut-collared  is  abundant  over  the  plains,  being  "  one  of  the 
most  interesting  and  characteristic  species."  He  adds  that  it  has  a 
' '  short,  shrill,  but  very  sweet  song,  which  is  often  uttered  on  the 
wing." 

Flocks  of  several  hundred  have  been  seen  by  Mr.  Bailey  in  south- 
ern Arizona  in  October  and  November. 

GENUS   RHYNCHOPHANES. 
639.  Rhynchophanes  mccownii  (Later.).  McCowN  LONGSPUR. 

Bill  stout,  conical ;  nasal  plumules  nearly  concealing  nostrils ;  wings 
nearly  five  times  as  long  as  tarsus  ;  tail  more 
than  half  hidden  by  pointed  coverts  ;  tarsus 
longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw ;  hind  claw 
about  equal  to  its  toe,  nearly  straight ;  tail 
Fig.  418.  feathers,  except  middle  pair,  white  broadly 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  329 

tipped  with  black  —  outer  feather  almost  entirely  white.  Adult  male  in 
summer :  crown  black  in  sharp  contrast  to  white  superciliary ;  shoulder  patch 
reddish  brown;  back  brownish  gray,  streaked  with  black;  sides  of  head  and 
throat  whitish,  with  black  streak  from  bill  alongside  of  throat ;  chest  with 
black  crescentic  patch  ;  rest  of  under  parts  white,  more  or  less  mixed  with 
black,  especially  on  sides.  Adult  male  in  winter:  upper  parts  uniform  brown- 
ish buff,  streaked  with  blackish  brown ;  black  of  chest  largely  hidden  by 
buffy  tips  to  feathers.  Adult  female  :  like  winter  male,  but  without  black 
chest  patch  or  rufous  shoulder  patch,  brownish  above  and  buffy  below ;  in 
summer  grayer  above  and  whiter  below.  Young  :  upper  parts  dusky,  the 
feathers  broadly  bordered  with  pale  buff  ;  under  parts  white,  distinctly 
washed  with  buff  across  chest,  chest  sometimes  indistinctly  streaked.  Male  : 
length  (skins)  5.26-5.71,  wing  3.50-3.69,  tail  1.90-2.20,  bill  .44-.S2.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  5.02-5.41,  wing  3.15-3.42,  tail  1.80-1.98,  bill  .42-.4T. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  the  interior  plains  from  the  Saskatchewan 
south  to  eastern  Nebraska  j  winters  south  through  Texas  and  Arizona  to 
northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  open  places,  composed  largely  of  dried  grasses, 
lined  usually  with  hair  and  feathers.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  similar  to  those  of 
the  chestnut-collared  longspur,  but  usually  with  ground  color  more  olive. 

Food.  —  Largely  weed  seed. 

The  habits  of  Rhynchophanes  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  other 
longspurs.  When  disturbed  at  a  meal  they  circle  in  undulating 
flight  uttering,  Colonel  Goss  says,  '  a  chip  note  at  each  stroke  of  the 
wing.'  In  the  breeding  season  they  have  a  flight  song  like  that  of 
the  Lapland  longspur,  hovering  with  wings  pointed  almost  straight 
upwards. 

GENUS   POQECETES. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  small,  conical ;  wing  long  and  pointed  ;  tail 
emarginate ;  tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw. 

KEY  TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Larger,  coloration  grayer  above.  Plains  to  Pacific  .  confinis,  p.  329. 
1'.  Smaller,  coloration  browner  above.  In  California  and  Oregon. 

affinis,  p.  330. 

540a.  PooBcetes  gramineus  confinis  Baird.    WESTERN  VES- 
PER SPARROW. 

Upper  parts  brownish  gray  narrowly  streaked  with  dusky ;  bend  of  wing 
reddish  brown ;  outer  tail  feathers  partly  white ;  under  parts 
dull  white,  more  or  less  tinged  with  pale  buffy ;  streaked 
along  sides  of  throat  and  across  chest.  Male:  length 
Fig.  419.  '  (8kins)  5.50-6.25,  wing  3.12-3.41,  tail  2.49-2.70,  bill  .43- 
.46.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.21-6.00,  wing  3.00-3.30,  tail  2.27-2.68,  bill 
.41-.49. 

Remarks.  —  The  western  vesper  sparrow  may  be  distinguished  from  the 
eastern  by  its  grayer  color,  narrower  streaks,  and  usually  more  slender  bill 
and  longer  wing  and  tail. 

Distribution.  —  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  from  the  Plains  to 
the  Pacific,  and  from  British  Columbia,  Assiniboia,  and  Manitoba  south  to 
Lower  California  and  southern  Mexico.  Breeds  from  northern  New  Mexico 
and  Arizona  northward. 


330  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  made  of  grass.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  greenish  or  brown- 
ish white,  spotted,  and  often  blotched,  and  streaked  with  reddish  brown 
and  lavender. 

In  the  San  Francisco  Mountain  country,  Dr.  Mearns  says  the  west- 
ern vesper  sparrow  is  a  common  summer  resident  in  the  upper  pines, 
and  was  found  breeding  in  the  grassy  openings  up  to  10,000  feet. 
It  is  also  common  in  the  sagebrush  districts,  and"  in  settled  parts  of 
the  west  is  commonly  seen  on  roadside  fences.  It  may  be  recognized 
by  its  white  outer  tail  feathers  as  it  flies,  or,  as  it  sits  on  a  post,  by 
its  dull  coloration  and  pale  bay  shoulder  patches. 

When  it  flies  to  the  ground  it  is  lost  in  the  dry  grass  or  disappears 
on  bare  ground,  so  perfectly  do  its  dull  streaks  and  mottlings  blend 
with  the  earth  colors. 

In  spring  and  early  summer  the  vesper  sparrow  perches  on  a  post 
or  tall  weed  and  trolls  over  his  sweet,  simple  song  at  regular  inter- 
vals for  hours  at  a  time.  At  its  best,  at  sunset,  the  song  has  a  rich, 
serene  melody.  • 

540b.  P.  g.  affinis  Miller.    OREGON  VESPER  SPARROW. 

Like  confinis,  but  smaller,  bill  more  slender,  coloration  browner ;  ground 
color  of  upper  parts  buffy  brown  rather  than  grayish  brown,  and  all  the 
light  areas  of  the  plumage,  including  under  side  of  wings,  suffused  with 
pinkish  buff.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.17-5.55,  wing  2.90-3.15,  tail  2.08- 
2.38,  bill  .40-.45.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.04-5.65,  wing  2.85-3.00,  tail 
2.20-2.27,  bill  .40-.46. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  California  and  western  Oregon. 

GENUS    AMMODRAMUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  feathers  narrow,  the  middle  ones,  at  least, 
pointed ;  primaries  exceeding  secondaries  by  less  than  length  of  tarsus ; 
middle  toe  with  claw  not  shorter  than  tarsus. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Tail  rounded  or  graduated. 

2.  Nape  marked  with  rusty  brown. 

3.  Median  crown  stripe  pale  buffy ;  back  streaked  with  rusty  and  black. 

leconteii,  p.  335. 

3'.  Median  crown  stripe  slaty  gray ;  back  streaked  with  chalky  white. 

nelsoni,  p.  335. 
2'.  Nape  marked  with  olive. 

3.  Back  rusty  brown  streaked  with  black     .     occidentalis,  p.  334. 
3'.  Back  grayish  olive  streaked  with  chalky  white  and  dusky. 

sennetti,  p.  335. 
1'.  Tail  emarginate. 

2.  Hind  toe  little  if  any  longer  than  inner  toe ;  wing  exceeding  tail  by 
decidedly  more  than  length  of  tarsus  ;  tail  feathers  broader,  less 
sharp  pointed. 

3.  Upper  parts  not  distinctly  streaked  or  spotted  .  rostratus,  p.  333. 
3'.  Upper  parts  distinctly  streaked  or  spotted. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  331 

4.  Upper  parts  olivaceous.     Coast  of  southern  California. 

beldingi,  p.  332. 

4'.  Upper  parts  grayish  or  grayish  brown. 
5.  Larger. 

sandwichensis,  p.  331. 
5'.  Smaller. 

6.  Paler  and  grayer.     Western  North  America. 

alaudinus,  p.  332. 
6'.  Darker  and  browner. 

bryanti,  p.  332. 

2'.  Hind  toe  decidedly  longer  than  inner  toe  ;  wing  exceeding  tail  by 
little   more   than  length  of   tarsus;  tail  feathers  narrower,   more 
sharp  pointed. 
3.  Edge  of  wing  white ;  head  and  neck  yellowish  brown  or  buffy. 

bairdii,  p.  333. 

3'.  Edge  of  wing  yellow ;  head  not  yellowish  brown  or  buffy ;  nape 
rufous bimaculatus,  p.  334. 

Subgenus  Passerculus. 

Hind  toe  little  if  any  longer  than  inner  toe ;  wing  exceeding  tail  by 
decidedly  more  than  length  of  tarsus ;  tail  feathers  broader,  less  sharply 
pointed. 

542.  Ammodramus  sandwichensis  (GmeL).  SANDWICH  SPAR- 
ROW. 

Adults.  —  Crown  stripe  and  superciliary  well  marked,  and  superciliary 

usually  decidedly  yellow  ;  upper  parts 
grayish  brown,  heavily  streaked  with 
black,  the  streaks  in  sharp  contrast 
to  feather  edgings  of  whitish,  grayish, 
or  buffy  ;  under  parts  white,  some- 
Fi  420  times,  especially  in  fall  and  winter, 

tinged  with  buffy  on  sides  and  chest ; 

sides  of  throat,  chest,  sides,  and  flanks  streaked  with  blackish  ;  longer  under 
tail  coverts  with  concealed  streaks.  Young :  similar,  but  light  streaks  of 
upper  parts  buffy,  dark  streaks  of  lower  parts  less  defined,  superciliary 
usually  without  yellow,  and  finely  streaked  with  dusky.  Male :  length 
(skins)  4.93-5.75,  wing  2.92-3.14,  tail  2.00-2.20,  bill  .44-.50.  Female: 
length  (skins)  4.88-5.74,  wing  2.70-3.06,  tail  1.85-2.10,  bill  .44-.50. 

Remarks.  —  The  sandwichensis  group  is  distinguished  by  black  streaks 
on  upper  parts  in  connection  with  distinct  superciliary  and  median  crown 
stripe,  and  streaks  on  under  tail  coverts  being  concealed.  The  exposed 
culmen  is  also  longer  than  hind  toe  without  claw,  and  wing  less  than  seven 
times  as  long  as  exposed  culmen,  the  bill  straight  or  even  concave  in  the 
middle. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast,  from  Alaska  to  the  Columbia  River, 
rarely  to  northern  California. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  in  meadows  or  other  grassy  places.     Eggs :  3  to 
6,  pale  brownish,  varying  to  dull  whitish  or  greenish  white,  spotted  with 
brown,  occasionally  with  a  few  darker  marks. 
Food.  —  Insects,  and  weed  and  grass  seed. 

In  Alaska  Mr.  Nelson  found  the  Sandwich  sparrow  mainly  on 
rocky  beaches,  though  it  also  frequented  grassy  flats.  He  describes 


332  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

its  song  as  a  "short,  weak  succession  of  notes,  somewhat  similar  to 
those  of  alaudinus." 

542b.  A.  s.  alaudinus  (Bonap.).    WESTERN  SAVANNA  SPARROW. 

Similar  to  sandwichensis,  but  smaller  and  averaging  grayer,  superciliary 
stripe  often  white.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.50-5.58,  wing  2.56-3.06,  tail 
1.80-2.25,  bill  .S8-.43.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.50-5.20,  wing  2.56-2.87, 
tail  1.76-2.10,  bill  .38-.4S. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Plains  to  the  Pacific  coast,  and  from  the 
arctic  coast  to  southern  end  of  Mexican  tablelands  ;  in  winter  south  to 
highlands  of  Guatemala. 

Among  the  many  inconspicuous,  plain,  little  striped-backed  spar- 
rows of  the  western  United  States,  alaudinus  is  one  of  the  common- 
est, plainest,  and  most  inconspicuous.  Anywhere  in  the  meadows, 
prairie  grass,  or  weed  patches,  one  may  dart  out  from  under  your 
feet,  zigzag  over  the  grass-tops  for  a  little  way,  and  drop  into  the 
grass,  hopelessly  lost  until  he  is  again  forced  to  take  wing.  At  a 
distance  you  see  and  hear  the  birds  giving  their  plain  little  song 
from  the  top  of  a  tall  weed  or  fence  stake,  but  on  nearer  approach 
they  drop  into  the  grass  and  are  lost.  While  really  abundant  they 
often  escape  notice  until  you  tramp  '  cross  lots '  through  the  meadows. 

VERNON  BAILEY. 

542c.  A.  s.  bryanti  Eidgw.    BRYANT  MARSH  SPARROW. 

Like  sandwichensis,  but  darker  and  browner,  with  under  parts  more 
heavily  streaked  with  black,  and  in  winter  plumage,  chest,  and  sides 
strongly  tinged  with  brownish  buff.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.53-5.00,  wing 
2.51-2.80,  tail  1.74-2.00,  bill  .40-.45.  Female:  length  (skins)  440-4.65, 
wing  2.47-2.69,  tail  1.70-1.92,  bill  .40-.43. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  salt  marshes  about  San  Francisco  and  Monte- 
rey Bays ;  south  in  winter  along  the  coast  to  southern  California ;  occa- 
sional in  winter  in  Valley  of  Mexico. 

543.  Ammodramus  beldingi  Eidgw.  BELDING  MARSH  SPAR- 
ROW. 

Adults.  —  Median  crown  Stripe  and  superciliary  usually  very  indistinct 
or  wanting ;  ground  color  of  upper  parts  olivaceous,  streaked  with  black 
very  broadly  on  back ;  lower  parts  thickly  and  broadly  streaked  with 
black ;  fore  part  of  superciliary  stripe  olivaceous  yellow ;  under  tail  coverts 
with  concealed  streaks.  Young :  similar,  but  upper  parts  with  more  buff y ; 
dusky  streaks  of  lower  parts  less  sharplv  defined,  and  superciliary  finely 
streaked  and  usually  without  yellow.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.54-5.50, 
wing  2.52-2.82,  tail  1.85-2.00,  bill  .41-.50.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.35- 
5.50,  wing  2.40-2.66,  tail  1.67-1.83,  bill  .40-.45. 

Eemarks.  —  The  Belding  sparrow  may  be  distinguished  from  the  sand- 
wichensis  group  by  the  absence  of  distinct  superciliary  and  crown  stripes, 
and  darker  general  coloration. 

Distribution.  —  Salt  marshes  along  coast  of  southern  and  Lower  Califor- 
nia from  Santa  Barbara  to  San  Quintin  Bay  and  Todos  Santos  Island. 

Nest .  —  In  salt  grass  about  6  inches  from  the  ground ;  made  of  straws 
and  horsehair  or  feathers.  Eggs  :  usually  3,  light  blue,  irregularly  marked 
with  lilac  and  reddish  brown  at  larger  end  or  over  entire  surface. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  333 

The  .Belding  marsh  sparrow  is  an  abundant  resident  of  the  salt 
water  marshes  along  the  coast  of  southern  California,  nesting  in  the 
marsh  grass  just  above  the  reach  of  the  tide. 

544.  Ammodramus  rostratus  Cass.    LARGE-BILLED  SPARROW. 
Upper  parts  light  grayish  brown,  -indistinctly  streaked ;  under  parts  exten- 
sively streaked  with  sandy  brown  ;  bill 

long  and  swollen  and  regularly  curved 

from  base.    Male:  length  (skins)  5.10- 

5.70,   wing  2.72-2.92,  tail   1.95-2.17, 

bill  .4S-.54.      Female:   length  (skins) 

5.20-5.70,  wing  2.52-2.83,   tail   1.83-  Fi«r  421 

2.14,  bill  .42-51. 

Remarks.  —  The  large  bill  and  nearly  uniform  light  bi'own  coloration  of 
upper  parts  distinguish  this  sparrow  from  the  rest  of  the  group. 

Distribution.  —  Winters  from  'Cape  St.  Lucas  and  Guaymas,  Mexico,  to 
Santa  Cruz,  California. 

Mr.  Stephens  reports  that  the  large-billed  sparrow  is  a  common 
winter  resident  of  the  seacoast  of  southern  California,  where  it  is 
seldom  found  more  than  half  a  mile  from  the  water's  edge,  but  that 
it  prefers  streets  and  the  neighborhood  of  buildings  to  marshes.  In 
San  Pedro  Harbor,  Mr.  Grinnell  tells  us,  it  ' '  frequents  the  wharves 
and  breakwaters,  and  even  hops  fearlessly  about  the  decks  of  vessels, 
feeding  on  crumbs  and  flies. " 

Subgenus  Centronyx. 

Hind  toe  decidedly  longer  than  inner  toe  ;  wing  exceeding  tail  by  little 
more  than  length  of  tarsus ;  tail  feathers  narrow,  sharp  pointed. 

545.  Ammodramus  bairdii  (Aud.).    BAIRD  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Head  yellowish  brown  or  buffy,  crown  streaked  with  black 
laterally ;  back  light  brown,  spotted  with  black,  feathers  with  light  edgings ; 
under  parts  white,  throat  bordered  by 
black  stripes ;  chest,  sides,  and  flanks 
streaked  with  black ;  tail  deeply  emargi- 
nate,  the  lateral  feathers  longest,  the 
feathers  all  narrow  and  pointed  at  tip. 
Young :  similar,  but  feathers  of  crown  yi_  422 

and  back  distinctly  bordered  with  buffy 

and  streaks  on  chest  less  sharply  defined.  In  winter  the  buffy  color  more 
pronounced  than  in  summer,  strongly  tinging  chest  and  sides.  Male: 
length  (skins)  4.80-5.40,  wing  2.80-2.86,  tail  2.05-2.10,  bill  .41-.43.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  4.65-4.95,  wing  2.60-2.70,  tail  1.90-2.10,  bill  .40-.42. 

Remarks.  —  The  feathers  of  the  members  of  the  subgenus  Passerculus 
are  streaked,  the  dark  center  of  the  feather  being  a  narrow  shaft  streak  ; 
but  in  A.  bairdii  and  others  of  the  sharp-tailed  group  the  darkest  part  of 
the  feather  instead  of  being  a  line  is  a  wide  stripe,  an  oval,  or  a  terminal 
eye  spot,  narrowly  and  quite  uniformly  bordered  with  lighter,  giving  an 
effect  of  spotting  rather  than  streaking. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Saskatchewan  plains  to  Nebraska  and 
migrates  through  Colorado,  Texas,  New  Mexico,  and  Arizona,  to  northwest- 
ern Mexico ;  casually  westward  to  Washington. 


334  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  open  situations,  composed  of  dried  grasses.  Eggs : 
3  to  5,  whitish,  varying  in  tint,  and  spotted  with  reddish  brown  and  lined 
with  black. 

In  North  Dakota,  Dr.  Fisher  has  found  the  Baird  sparrow  common 
in  "  low  depressions  of  the  prairie  where  the  high  grass  has  been  left 
standing." 

Subgenus  Coturniculus. 

Tail  weak,  of  narrow  lanceolate  feathers ;  wing  short,  with  inner  sec- 
ondaries reaching  nearly  to  tip  when  closed,  seventh  secondary  much  the 
longest. 

546a.  Ammodramus  savannarum  bimaculatus  (Swains.). 

WESTERN  GRASSHOPPER  SPARROW. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Under  parts  buffy  on  throat  and  sides,  unmarked ; 
upper  parts  reddish  brown,  black,  gray,  and  buffy  ;  crown  with  median 
buffy  stripe  between  two  blackish  stripes ; 
nuchal  patch  ash  gray,  marked  with  reddish 
brown ;  feathers  of  back  with  black  eye  spots 
nicked  with  reddish  brown  ;  edge  of  wing 
yellow  ;  tail  double  rounded  and  feathers 

sharp  pointed.  Adults  in  winter:  brighter  colored,  chest  and  sides  sometimes 
indistinctly  streaked  with  brown.  Young :  with  little  or  no  reddish  brown 
on  upper  parts,  the  feathers  being  more  conspicuously  bordered  with  buffy 
and  whitish ;  median  crown  stripe  more  ashy ;  lower  parts  entirely  dull 
buffy  whitish,f chest  distinctly  streaked  with  dusky.  Male :  length  (skins) 
4.20-5.10,  wing  2.25-2.61,  tail  1.69-2.02,  bill  .40-.46.  Female:  length 
(skins)  4.40-4.85,  wing  2.39-2.51,  tail  1.82-2.00,  bill  .40-.44. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  western  United  States  from  the  Plains  to 
the  Pacific  coast,  from  British  Columbia,  Dakota,  and  Montana  south  to 
southern  California  and  Arizona ;  migrates  to  Cape  St.  Lucas,  Lower  Cali- 
fornia, and  Central  America. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  bulky,  with  deep  cavity,  often  more  or  less  arched 
over  on  top,  and  composed  of  dried  grasses.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  white,  spotted, 
chiefly  on  larger  end,  with  reddish  brown,  sometimes  mixed  with  a  few 
small  black  markings  and  touches  of  lilac  gray. 

The  western  grasshopper  sparrow  lives  in  grassy  fields,  where  it 
often  sings  from  the  top  of  a  tall  weed  for  an  hour  at  a  time.  When 
startled,  instead  of  flying,  it  drops  down  and  runs  off  through  the 
grass.  Like  most  members  of  the  genus  Ammodramus,  Dr.  Judd 
says,  it  feeds  much  less  on  vegetable  matter  than  most  other  spar- 
rows. "Insects  form  their  staple  diet,  and  of  these,  beetles,  grass- 
hoppers, and  caterpillars  are  the  most  important.  As  a  destroyer 
of  insect  pests  the  grasshopper  sparrow  is  most  efficient." 

547a.  Ammodramus  henslowii  occidentalis  Brewst.  WEST- 

ERN  HENSLOW  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Top  of  head  and  nape  grayish  olive,  head  with  two  broad 
stripes  of  black  spots,  nape  more  finely  and  sparsely  spotted  ;  feathers  of 
back  with  coarse  median  streaks  of  black,  bordered  with  pale  chestnut, 
changing  to  a  broad  grayish  margin ;  under  parts  dull  white,  breast  and 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  335 

sides  finely  streaked,  flanks  more  broadly  ;  sides  of  head  buffy  white,  with 
a  touch  of  yellow  above  the  eye  ;  two  narrow  black  stripes  from  bill,  and 
one  back  of  eye ;  shoulders  tinged  with  greenish  yellow  and  bend  of  wing 
yellowish  white.  Length :  (skins)  4.50-4.59,  wing  2.12-2.13,  tail  1.88-1.90, 
bill  .4S-.48. 

Distribution.  —  South  Dakota  in  summer,  and  probably  other  regions 
along  the  eastern  border  of  the  Plains. 

548.  Ammodramus  leconteii  (Aud.).    LECONTE  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Crown  with  two  blackish  stripes  in  sharp  contrast  to  buffy 
and  grayish  median  stripe  ;  sides  of  head  and  superciliary  buffy  or  yellow- 
ish brown  ;  hind  neck  chestnut,  feathers  edged  with  grayish ;  rest  of  upper 
parts  brownish,  marked  strikingly  with  blackish  and  buffy,  the  feathers 
black,  notched  with  grayish,  with  rufous  and  buffy  cream  U-shaped 
edgings  ;  throat,  breast,  and  sides  biiffy  ;  belly  white ;  sides  and  flanks 
streaked  ;  bill  small  and  slender ;  tail  graduated.  Young :  much  more 
buffy,  deeper  above,  paler  beneath,  body  streaked  with  blackish,  more 
narrowly  on  under  parts.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.15-4.74,  wing  1.94-2.12, 
tail  1.81-2.05,  bill  .33-.40.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.35-5.00,  wing  1.93- 
2.10,  tail  1.83-2.20,  bill  .33-.39. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  prairie  marshes  of  Transition  and  Upper 
Sonoran  zones,  from  Assiniboia  and  Manitoba  southeast  to  Indiana ;  win- 
ters in  the  southern  states ;  accidental  in  Idaho. 

Nest.  —  Near  the  ground  in  dense  fallen  grass,  made  of  grass,  cup- 
shaped.  Eggs :  4  or  5,  pale  greenish  white,  heavily  spotted  with  reddish 
brown  and  lavender. 

Subgenus  Ammodramus. 

Tail  rounded,  feathers  sharp   pointed;  wing  short  and 
rounded,  secondaries  nearly  even. 

Fig.  424. 

549.1.  Ammodramus  nelsoni  (Allen).    NELSON  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Superciliary  bright  buff,  sharply  contrasting  with  dark  brown 
or  blackish  sides  of  crown  ;  middle  of  crown,  back  of  head,  and  hind  neck 
gray,  more  or  less  mixed  with  rusty ;  middle  of  back  dark  brown,  strikingly 
marked  with  chalky  white  stre&ks ;  edge  of  wing  yellow ;  tail  rounded  ; 
under  parts  white,  sides  of  throat,  chest,  and  sides  washed  with  buffy  or 
yellowish  brown,  and  indistinctly  streaked  with  darker.  Young  :  upper 
parts  dull  yellowish  brown ;  sides  of  crown  chiefly  black ;  back  broadly 
streaked  with  black;  under  parts  buff,  streaked  on  chest  with  dusky. 
Male:  length  (skins)  4.50-4.90,  wing  2.10-2.48,  tail  1.80-2.07,  bill  .40-.42. 
Female :  length  (skins)  4.40-4.80,  wing  2.05-2.20,  tail  1.70-1.90,  bill  .40- 
.42. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  prairie  marshes  of  the  interior  from  Manitoba 
to  northern  Illinois ;  migrates  to  the  Atlantic  coast,  and  winters  south  to 
Gulf  coast  of  Texas ;  accidental  in  California. 

Eggs.  —  Similar  to  those  of  leconteii. 

Food.  —  Insects,  especially  leaf -hoppers,  midges,  and  horseflies,  together 
with  weed  seed. 

5  5 Ob.  Ammodramus  maritimus   sennetti  Allen.     TEXAS 

SEASIDE  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  olive  gray,  streaked  with  black  and  whitish ;  lores 
and  edge  of  wing  bright  yellow  ;  throat  white ;  rest  of  under  parts  grayish 


336  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

or  buffy,  faintly  streaked  with  gray.  Young  :  upper  parts  grayish  brown, 
streaked  with  black ;  under  parts  pale  fulvous  white,  strongest  on  sides  of 
neck  and  flanks.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.20-5.50,  wing  2.30-2.42,  tail 
1.92-2.27,  bill  .50-.53.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.95-5.40,  wing  2.15-2.30, 
tail  2.00-2.15,  bill  .49-.  52. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  of  Texas. 

Eggs.  —  3  or  4,  pale  greenish  white,  finely  spotted  over  entire  surface 
and  wreathed  around  larger  end  with  reddish  brown  and  plum  color. 

GENUS    CHONDESTES. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  conical ;  wing  long  and  pointed ;  tail  long, 
rounded ;  tarsus  about  twice  as  long  as  exposed  culmen. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Averaging  darker  and  grayer grammacus,  p.  336. 

1'.  Averaging  paler  and  browner strigatus,  p.  336. 

552.  Chondestes  grammacus  (Say).    LARK  SPARROW. 

Similar  to  the  western  lark  sparrow,  but  averaging  darker  and  grayer, 
with  black  streaks  on  back  broader  and  chestnut  on  head  rather  darker  ; 
wings  and  tail  shorter.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.50-6.40,  wing  3.23-3.69, 
tail  2.54-3.08,  bill  .41-.48.  Female  :  length  (skins)  5.80-6.15,  wing  3.20- 
3.38,  tail  2.54-2.70,  bill  .44-.47. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  in  southern  Ontario  and 
through  the  Mississippi  Valley  region  to  Texas  and  Alabama ;  and  from 
Ohio  west  to  western  Nebraska ;  casually  to  Atlantic  coast  and  (during 
migration)  Florida. 

Nest  and  eggs  like  those  of  strigatus. 

652a.  C.  g.  strigatus  (Swains.).    WESTERN  LARK  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Sides  of  head  with  chestnut  patch  and  black  and  white  streaks ; 
crown  chestnut,  with  white  or  buffy  median  stripe ;  rest  of  upper  parts 
brownish  gray,  the  back  streaked  with  blackish ;  tail  blackish  brown  with 
white  corners,  all  but  middle  feathers  tipped  with  white  ;  under  parts  white, 
with  a  small  black  central  spot  on  breast.  Young  :  without  chestnut  patch 
or  black  and  white  streaks  on  head ;  entire  upper  parts  buffy  or  brownish, 
streaked  ;  chest  with  wedge-shaped  blackish  streaks.  Male  :  length  (skins) 
5.60-6.60,  wing  3.20-3.62,  tail  2.52-3.00,  bill  .41-.54.  Female:  length 
(skins)  5.50-6.75,  wing  3.12-3.51,  tail  2.40-2.81,  bill  .42-.51. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones,  from 
British  Columbia  and  Manitoba  south  to  the  plateau  of  Mexico,  and  from 
the  plains  to  California  ;  migrates  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  or  in  bushes  or  trees,  sometimes  in  mistletoe  or 
mesquite,  made  of  dried  grasses,  plant  stems,  and  fibers.  Eggs :  3  to  6, 
white,  sometimes  with  a  faint  bluish  or  brownish  tinge,  speckled  and  lined 
chiefly  on  larger  end  with  black  and  brown. 

Food.  —  Grasshoppers,  locusts,  and  weevils,  with  seeds  of  weeds  and 
grass,  and  waste  grain. 

The  lark  sparrow  is  one  of  the  commonest,  most  familiar  western 
birds,  seeming  equally  at  home  when  walking  over  the  smooth  lawn 
of  a  Pasadena  millionaire,  singing  from  the  top  of  the  sagebrush,  or 
perching  on  a  Spanish  bayonet  on  a  rocky  Texas  mesa. 


WESTERN    LARK   SPARROW 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  337 

As  he  sits  he  has  a  trick  of  raising  his  crown  every  few  minutes, 
calling  especial  attention  to  his  directive  face  marking,  and  the 
moment  he  flies  his  white  tail  crescent  shows  conspicuously. 

He  is  much  in  evidence,  not  only  from  his  abundance  and  his  con- 
spicuous markings  but  from  his  musical  song,  which  is  heard  almost 
continuously  wherever  he  is  found.  The  song  is  long  and  varied  and 
has  a  purring  phrase  which  is  especially  characteristic.  Like  the 
house  finch  he  sings  with  fine  fervor  when  dancing  before  his  mate 
with  spread  tail  and  quivering  wings. 

GENUS   ZONOTRICHIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  small,  compressed,  conical ;  tail  nearly  or  quite 
as  long  as  wing1,  slightly  rounded  ;  tarsus  not  more  than  a  third  the  length 
of  tail. 

KEY  TO  ADULT  MALES. 

1.  Top  of  head  wholly  black  or  mottled querula,  p.  337. 

1'.  Top  of  head  striped. 

2.  Crown  with  yellow  patch COronata,  p.  839 

2'.  Crown  striped  black  and  white. 

3.  Throat  with  white  patch albicollis,  p.  340. 

3'.  Throat  without  white  patch. 

4.  Lores  black leucophrys,  p.  338. 

4'.  Lores  not  black. 

5.  Back  ashy,  marked  with  brown     ....  gambelii,  p.  339. 
5'.  Back  olivaceous,  marked  with  blackish  .     .     nuttalli,  p.  339. 

553.  Zonotrichia  querula  (Nutt.).    HARRIS  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Top  of  head  and  throat  solid  black,  black  streaking  down 
over  middle  of  breast ;  rest  of  under  parts 
white;  sides  and  flanks  buff  y "brown,  streaked 
with  darker  brown ;  upper  parts  brown ; 
back  and  scapulars  streaked  with  blackish  ; 
wings  with  two  white  bars.  Young,  first 

plumage  (described  by  Preble) :  upper  parts  blackish,  feathers  edged  with 
buffy  and  brown  ;  wing  quills  edged  with  buff  y  and  brown  ;  tail  feathers 
edged  and  tipped  with  whitish ;  sides  of  head  and  under  parts  buffy  ; 
malar  stripe  conspicuous ;  chest  and  sides  streaked  with  black.  Male : 
length  (skins)  6.46-7.33,  wing  3.43-3.60,  tail  3.14-3.3S,  bill  .50-.52.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  6.66-6.95,  wing  3.15-3.35,  tail  3.04-3.16,  bill  .48-.51. 

Remarks.  —  Some  specimens  have  black  throat  patch  and  crown  feath- 
ers tipped  with  grayish.  Mr.  Ridgway  thinks  these  may  be  young  birds. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  at  Ft.  Churchill,  Hudson  Bay,  Artillery  Lake, 
and  probably  Great  Bear  Lake ;  winters  from  Kansas  to  southern  Texas. 

Nest.  —  One,  on  ground,  under  a  dwarf  birch,  made  of  grass. 

The  breeding  range  of  the  Harris  sparrow  was  unknown  until 
Mr.  Treble's  1900  Fort  Churchill  record.  The  last  of  July  among 
the  dwarf  spruces  of  Fort  Churchill  he  found  an  adult  male  and 
female  with  young  just  from  the  nest.  In  1907  the  first  nest  was 
found  by  Mr.  E.  T.  Seton,  at  Artillery  Lake,  near  Great  Slave  Lake, 


338 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 


The  habits  of  the  Harris  sparrow  are  largely  common  to  those  of 
the  genus.  In  describing  them  Colonel  Goss  says:  "The  birds 
inhabit  the  thickets  bordering  streams  and  the  edges  of  low  wood- 
lands. They  are  usually  met  with  in  small  flocks.  A  favorite  resort 
is  in  and  about  the  brush  heaps,  where  the  land  is  being  cleared. 
They  seldom  mount  high  in  the  trees,  but  keep  near  the  ground, 
upon  which  they  hunt  and  scratch  among  the  leaves  for  seeds  and 
insect  life. 

"  They  commence  singing  early  in  the  spring,  and  upon  warm, 
sunshiny  days  their  song  can  be  heard  almost  continually,  as  one 
after  the  other  pours  forth  its  pleasing,  plaintive,  whistling  notes,  in 
musical  tone  much  like  the  white-throated  sparrow,  but  delivered 
in  a  widely  different  song."  Prof.  Cooke  says  that  in  addition  to 
their  albicollis  whistle  they  have  a  '  queer,  chuckling  note.'  (See 
Cooke  on  "  Distribution  and  Migration  of  Zonotrichia  querula," 
TJie  Auk,  i.  332.) 

554.  Zonotrichia  leucophrys  (Forst).    WHITE-CROWNED  SPAR- 
ROW. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  and  sides  of  head  striped  with  black  and  white,  white 

median  stripe  usually  as  wide  as 
adjoining  black  stripes;  lores  black, 
white  superciliary  stripe  not  extend- 
ing forward  of  eye ;  edge  of  wing 
white ;  under  parts  plain  gray  ;  back 
with  fore  parts  gray ;  rump  brown. 
Adult  female:  like  male  and  some- 
times indistinguishable,  but  usually 
with  median  crown  stripe  narrower 
and  grayer.  Young :  like  adults,  but 
head  stripes  brown  and  buffy  instead 
of  black  and  white ;  under  parts 
buffy.  and  chest,  sides  of  throat,  and 
sides  streaked.  Male :  length  (skins) 
5.84-6.74.  wing  2.98-3.28,  tail  2.68- 
3.23,  bill  .43-.47.  Female:  length 
(skins)  6.00-6.63.  wing  2.89-3.17,  tail 
2.69-3.00,  bill  .41-.47. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper 
Canadian  zone  in  the  United  States 
and  Canada,  from  Quebec  and  Labra- 


Trom  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept.  of 

Agriculture. 


Fig.  426. 


dor  north  to  Hudson  Bay  and  Green- 


land  and  throughout  most  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  Rocky  Mountains, 
south  to  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  ;  winters  south  through  the  United 
States  and  Lower  California  to  Guanajuato,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  ground,  in  sub-alpine  meadows,  often  in  willows 
along  streams,  made  of  fine  twigs,  rootlets,  and  grasses.  Eggs  :  3  to  5, 
pale  greenish  blue,  varying  to  brownish,  spotted  with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Caterpillars,  ants,  wasps,  and  weed  seed,  including  that  of 
Johnson  grass  and  ragweed. 

The  white-crowned  sparrow  is  preeminently  the  sparrow  of  the 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  339 

mountains.  Along  the  willow  bordered  streams  that  run  through 
the  mountain  meadows  in  the  Sierra  its  thin,  sharp  chip  of  parental 
anxiety  is  often  heard,  and  its  song  dominates  the  bird  chorus.  The 
song  is  composed  of  two  long  whistled  notes,  the  first  sliding  up  to 
the  second  with  grace  notes,  the  second  followed  by  a  lower  note 
repeated  rapidly  three  times.  The  two  long  whistled  notes  are  rich 
and  plaintive  in  tone,  suggesting  the  whistle  of  the  pine  woods 
sparrow,  and  as  they  ring  through  the  cool,  pure  air  day  after  day 
seem  to  give  expression  to  the  deep  pervading  peace  and  serenity  of 
the  mountains. 

554a.  Z.  1.  gambelii  (Nutt.).     GAMBEL  SPARROW  :  INTERMEDIATE 
SPARROW. 

•  S™"1"  *°  l^phrys  but  lores  not  black,  white  superciliary  stripe  reach- 
ing to  bill.  Male:  length  (skins)  ,  

5.85-6.48,  wing  3.00-3.28,  tail  2.58- 
2.92,  bill  .39-.44.  Female:  length 
(skins)  5.73-6.43,  wing  2.90-3.25,  tail 
2.64-2.93,  bill  .39-.4S. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Alaska 
to  Montana  and  eastern  Oregon ;  mi- 
grates south  through  the  western 
United  States  to  Lower  California 
and  Central  Mexico  ;  straggling  east 
to  Iowa. 

Eggs.  —  Similar  to  those  of  the 
white -crowned,  but  cinnamon  colored 
or  rusty  style  prevailing. 

Food.  —  Cutworms,  caterpillars,  and 
other  insects  as  well  as  weed  seed. 


554b.  Z.  1.  nuttalli  Ridgw.    NUTTALL  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Like  leucophrys,  but  lores  not  black  and  superciliary  stripe 
extending  to  bill ;  median  crown  stripe  usually  narrower  than  lateral 
stripes,  edge  of  wing  yellow,  and  adults  with  upper  parts  brown  instead  of 
gray,  streamings  dark  brown  or  blackish,  and  under  parts  brownish  gray. 
Young:  groundcolor  of  upper  parts  light  buff  y  olive  ;  under  parts  pale 
yellowish.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.86-6.67,  wing  2.83-2.96,  tail  2.68-2.96, 
bill  .41-47.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.37-6.40,  wing  2.66-2.79,  tail  2.50- 
2.73,  bill  .S9-.47. 

Remarks.  —  Of  the  three  sparrows,  the  white-crown,  the  Nuttall,  and  the 
Gambel,  the  white-crown  may  be  distinguished  by  its  black  or  dark  brown 
lores ;  the  adult  Nuttall  sparrow  by  brownish  instead  of  grayish  coloration  ; 
and  usually  a  median  crown  stripe  that  is  narrower  than  the  lateral 
stripes  ;  and  the  adult  Gambel  by  the  combination  of  white  lores,  gray 
coloration,  and  broad  median  crown  stripe. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  British  Columbia  to  Monterey,  California ; 
migrates  to  Lower  California. 

Food.  —  Insects,  grain,  and  weed  seed. 

557.  Zonotrichia  coronata  (Pall.).    GOLDEN-CROWNED  SPARROW. 
Adults.  —  Crown   inclosed  by  black  stripes,  with  median  stripe  yellow  in 


340  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

front,  ash  gray  behind;  rest  of  upper  part  olive  brown,  streaked  on  back 

with  blackish  brown  :  rump  and  tail  plain ; 

wing  with  two  white  bands ;  under  parts 
gray ;  sides  and  flanks  washed  with  brown. 
Young :  similar,  but  black  crown  stripes 

Fig.  428.     Golden-crowned  Sparrow.    replaced  by  brown  streaked  with  black, 

and  median  stripe  dull  brownish  yellow  flecked  or  streaked  with  dusky, 
the  ash  gray  wanting ;  upper  parts  washed  with  brownish ;  under  parts 
soiled  whitish.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.93-7.13,  wing  2.99-3.28,  tail  2.89- 
3.28,  bill  .44-.S2.  Female :  length  (skins)  6.15-6.65,  wing  2.90-3.17,  tail 
2.71-3.25,  bill  .45-.50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Alaska ;  migrates  south  along  the  Pacific  coast 
to  Lower  California,  straggling  east  to  Nevada,  Colorado,  and  Wisconsin. 

Nest.  —  In  alder  patches.  Eggs :  usually  5,  colored  like  the  more  dis- 
tinctly spotted  style  of  the  white-crowned  sparrow. 

In  winter  the  golden-crowns  are  among  the  common  birds  of  the 
San  Francisco  parks  and  cemeteries  and  are  so  tame  they  will  hop 
over  the  grass  and  down  the  paths  close  to  the  bench  on  which  you 
are  sitting.  The  sparrow  flock  usually  includes  more  white-crowns 
than  goldens,  but  all  are  equally  and  delightfully  familiar.  In  some 
of  the  parks  the  birds  seem  especially  fond  of  sunning  themselves 
on  the  budding  Laurestinus  bushes. 

Though  the  golden-crowns  live  mainly  on  seeds,  you  often  see 
one  jump  up  from  the  ground  for  an  insect  or  run  after  one  and 
swallow  it  as  unconcernedly  as  if  he  were  not  supposed  to  be  a 
vegetarian. 

In  Los  Angeles  County,  Mr.  Grinnell  says,  they  winter  commonly 
from  the  mesas  up  to  5000  feet  on  the  bushy  mountain  sides. 

568.  Zonotrichia  albicollis  (Gmel.).   WHITE-THROATED  SPARROW. 
Adult  male.  —  Throat  pure  white  sharply  contrasted  with  gray  of  breast  ; 
head  striped  with  black  and  white  ;  superciliary  yellow  from  bill  to  eyes ; 
edge  of  wing  yellow  ;  back  and  scapulars  rusty  brown  streaked 
with  blackish ;  rump  olivaceous  or  brownish.     Adult  female; 
'  sometimes  indistinguishable  from  male,  but  usually  with  col- 
oration of  head  and  under  parts  decidedly  duller,  crown  stripe 
tinged  with   brown  and   buffy.      Young  in  first  winter :  like 
Fig.  429.       adult  female,  but   duller,  crown    stripes  browner.     Young: 
throat  not  distinctly  whitish,  and  stripes  on  head  brown  and  buffy  instead 
of  black  and  white ;  yellow  in  front  of  eyes  more  or  less  distinct ;  under 
parts   brownish   white,   streaked,  except  on  belly.     Male :  length  (skins) 
6.12-6.56,   wing  2.85-3.04,  tail   2.80-3.00,    bill   .42-.4S.     Female:  length 
(skins)  5.91-6.30,  wing  2.74-2.88,  tail  2.68-2.90,  bill  .44-.46. 

Remarks.  —  The  young  of  albicollis  can  be  distinguished  from  that  of 
leucophrys  by  their  deeper  brown  lateral  crown  stripes  and  more  rusty 
back  and  wings. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and  Hudsonian  zones  from  Hudson 
Bay  and  Labrador  south  to  the  northern  United  States,  chiefly  east,  but 
also  in  Montana  and  Wyoming  ;  winters  to  Florida  and  southern  Texas, 
straggling  west  to  Oregon  and  California. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground  or  in  bushes,  made  largely  of  coarse  grasses, 


PINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  341 

rootlets,  moss,  and  strips  of  bark,  lined  with  finer  grasses.    Eggs :  4  or  5, 
finely  and    evenly  speckled    or  heavily   and  irregularly  blotched  with 
brown. 
Food.  —  Insects,  weed  seed,  and  wild  berries. 

The  white-throated  sparrow  is  one  of  the  best  whistlers  of  the 
musical  genus  Zonotrichia,  his  clear  I,  I,  pea-body,  pea-body,  pea- 
body,  ringing  finely  through  the  spring  air.  Though  chiefly  an  east- 
ern bird,  he  may  be  seen  in  Montana  and  Wyoming. 

GENUS    SPIZELLA. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  less  than  3 ;  bill  small,  conical ;  tail  emar- 
ginate  or  double  rounded,  middle  feathers  shorter  than  longest ;  tarsus 
about  length  of  middle  toe  with  claw. 

KEY  TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Bill  reddish  brown  or  orange. 
2.  Chin  black,  head  slaty  gray    ......     atrogularis,  p.  345. 

2'.  Chin  whitish,  head  rufous  and  buffy     ....     areiiacea,  p.  344. 

1'.  Bill  black  or  yellowish  brown. 
2.  Crown  rufous. 

3.  Breast  with  pectoral  blotch ochracea,  p.  341. 

3'.  Breast  without  pectoral  blotch. 

4.  Forehead  and  streak   behind  eye  black.     Rocky  Mountains  to 

Pacific  coast arizoiiae,  p.  342. 

4'.  Forehead  without  black  and  no  black  streak  behind  eye. 

wortheni,  p.  344. 
2'.  Crown  without  rufous. 

3.  Head  and  back  grayish  brown,  uniformly  and  finely  streaked  with 

black breweri,  p.  343. 

3'.  Head  and  back  gray  and  buffy,  coarsely  and  irregularly  streaked 
with  black.     Plains pallida,  p.  342. 

559a.  Spizella  monticola  ochracea  Brewst.    WESTEBN  TREE 
SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Bill  yeHow  in  adults ;  crown,  stripe  behind  eye,  and  patch 
on  sides  of  chest  rufous,  crown  often,  especially 
in   winter,   with   ashy  median  stripe,   or  rufous 
obscured  by  grayish  edges  to  feathers  ;  middle  of 
back  buffy,  streaked  with  black  and  rusty ;  wings  ^B-  43°- 

with  two  conspicuous  white  bars ;  under  parts  grayish,  chest  with  small 
dusky  spot.  Young  :  streaked  beneath.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.61-6.00, 
wing  2.87-3.24,  tail  2.59-2.88,  bill  .38-.41.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.41- 
5.69,  wing  2.87-3.10,  tail  2.60-2.70,  bill  .35-.39. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  near  the  arctic  coast  through  Alaska ; 
migrates  as  far  east  as  the  eastern  border  of  the  Plains,  and  south  to  New 
Mexico,  Texas,  and  Arizona. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  or  in  low  bushes,  composed  largely  of  dried  grass 
and  feathers.  Eggs:  3  to  5,  pale  greenish  blue,  varying  to  brownish, 
speckled  with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Mainly  seeds,  largely  weed  seed. 

In  its  Alaskan  home  Mr.  Nelson  says  the  western  tree  sparrow  is 
the  most  numerous  of  the  sparrows  that  frequent  the  bushes,  espe- 


342  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

cially  along  the  coast  of  Bering  Sea,  where,  on  entering  a  thicket, 
the  protesting  tsip  of  the  gentle  bird  may  be  heard  on  all  sides. 

Coming  south  in  fall,  ochracea  reaches  Colorado  in  October  and 
spends  the  winter,  Prof.  Cooke  says,  on  the  Plains  and  the  lower 
part  of  the  mountains,  being  common  up  to  7000  feet  and  occa- 
sionally seen  as  high  as  9000  feet. 

560a.  Spizella   socialis   arizonse    Coues.     WESTERN  CHIPPING 

SPARROW. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Bill  black  ;  top  of  head  rufous,  sometimes  with  in- 
dication of  ashy  median  line  and  dark  streak- 
ing1 ;  forehead  blackish,  cut  by  median  white 
line ;  superciliary  stripe  white  or  grayish, 
bordered  below  by  narrow  black  eye  stripe; 
back  brownish  or  pale  buffy,  streaked  with 
black ;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  gray ; 
sides  of  head  dull  gray  ;  under  parts  white  or 
ashy.  Adults  in  winter  :  similar,  but  colors  dul- 
ler and  darker,  tinged  with  brown  on  lower 
parts,  black  on  forehead  obscure  or  wanting, 
crown  usually  streaked  with  dusky,  bill 
brown.  Young:  top  of  head  brownish, 
streaked  with  blackish ;  superciliary  buffy, 
streaked  ;  breast  streaked ;  tarsus  less  than 
twice  as  long  as  bill.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.82-5.43,  wing  2.64-3.00,  tail 
2.11-2.57,  bill  .36-.41.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.87-5.26,  wing  2.62-2.98. 
tail  2.12-2.42,  bill  .35-.40. 

Remarks.  —  The  paler  coloration  of  the  western  chipping  sparrow  dis- 
tinguishes it  from  the  eastern,  while  the  absence  of  pectoral  blotch  and 
striking  wing  bars  distinguishes  it  from  the  western  tree  sparrow,  and 
the  black  marks  on  the  forehead  and  behind  the  eye  still  further  separate 
it  from  the  Worthen  sparrow. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from 
Alaska,  perhaps  to  northern  Mexico,  and  from  the  Rocky  Mountains  and 
western  Texas  to  the  Pacific  coast ;  migrates  to  Lower  California  and 
southern  border  of  Mexican  tablelands. 

Nest .  —  In  trees  or  bushes,  made  of  grass  stems  and  lined  with  horse- 
hair. Eggs :  3  to  5,  light  greenish  blue,  speckled  chiefly  around  the 
larger  end  with  black  and  brown. 

Food.  —  Mainly  caterpillars  and  other  injurious  insects  and  weed  seed. 

In  southern  California,  Mr.  Grinnell  says  the  western  chippy  is 
common  about  gardens  and  orchards  in  the  mesa  regions,  breeding 
in  the  conifers  on  the  mountains  to  8500  feet.  In  Colorado  and 
Arizona  it  breeds  up  to  nearly  10,000  feet,  though  most  commonly 
from  6000  to  7000  feet. 

At  St.  Mary's  Lake,  Montana,  Mr.  Howell  heard  one  sing  near  his 
camp  several  nights  as  late  as  nine  o'clock. 

561.  Spizella  pallida  (Swains.).    CLAY-COLOBED  SPARKOW. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Crown  light  brown  with  pale  median  stripe  and 
Mack-streaked  sides;  superciliary  buffy  or  whitish;  sides  of  head  buffy 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  343 

brown  bordered  above  and  below  by  narrow  blackish  streak  ;  malar  region 
whitish,  bordered  below  by  dusky  streak  along-  side  of  throat ;  hind  neck 
gray,  narrowly  streaked;  back  and  scapulars  brown,  broadly  streaked 
with  black  ;  wing  bars  buffy  ;  under  parts  whitish,  washed  with  brown  on 
chest  and  sides.  Adults  in  winter :  crown  streaks  narrower,  and  plumage 
more  buffy.  Young :  upper  parts  buffy  or  clay-colored  ;  chest  and  sides 
buffy,  streaked  with  black.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.64-5.41,  wing  2.34- 
2.49,  tail  2.18-2.44,  bill  .S4.-.39.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.64-5.25,  wing 
2.28-2.51,  tail  2.08-2.40,  bill  .S5-.39. 

Remarks.  —  The  clay-colored  and  the  Brewer  sparrow  both  have 
streaked  upper  parts,  but  the  clay-colored  has  a  median  crown  stripe  and 
plain  gray  hind  neck,  while  the  Brewer  is  uniformly  streaked  on  head, 
neck,  and  back. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zone  from  the  Sas- 
katchewan plains  south  to  Iowa  and  Nebraska  and  from  Illinois  west  to 
western  Montana  ;  migrates  south  to  Lower  California  and  southern  end  of 
Mexican  tablelands. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  in  open  situations.  Eggs  :  usually  4,  light  greenish 
blue,  speckled  chiefly  around  the  larger  end  with  brown. 

The  clay-colored  sparrow  is  said  to  be  almost  exclusively  terres- 
trial, though  during  the  nesting  season  the  males  sing  from  the  tops 
of  bushes  almost  continually.  The  song  Coues  gives  as  three  notes 
and  a  slight  trill.  Along  the  Red  River  in  Dakota,  he  says,  they 
nest  in  "open  low  underbrush  by  the  river  side  and  among  the 
innumerable  scrub- willow  copses  of  the  valley." 

562.  Spizella  brewer!  Cass.     BREWER  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Entire  upper  parts  streaked  with  black  on  grayish  brown 
ground ;  under  parts  soiled  grayish.  In 
winter,  similar  but  more  buffy.  Young: 
like  adults,  but  chest  and  sides  streaked, 
streaks  of  upper  parts  broader  and  less 
sharply  defined,  and  wings  with  two  dis- 
tinct bands.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.74- 
5.13,  wing  2.37-2.59,  tail  2.26-2.44,  bill  .34- 
.35.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.60-5.19, 
wing  2.20-2.59,  tail  2.26-2.50,  bill  .S4-.36. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  _,.      . 

sagebrush  from  British  Columbia  south  to 

southern  Arizona,  and  from  western  Nebraska  and  western  Texas  to  the 
Pacific  coast ;  south  in  winter  along  the  western  border  of  the  Mexican 
tablelands. 

Nest.  —  In  sagebrush,  made  of  fine  grass  stems  and  leaves,  lined  with 
long  horsehairs.  Eggs  :  usually  4,  and  generally  like  those  of  the  clay- 
colored  sparrow,  but  more  distinctly  marked. 

The  Brewer  sparrow,  known  locally  as  the  sagebrush  chippie,  is 
marked  down  as  an  '  arid  transition  '  species,  and,  true  to  his  zonal 
colors,  if  any  arid  transition  sagebrush  strays  to  the  sunny  side  of  a 
high  mountain  ridge  he  will  appear  there  with  it,  though  his  normal 
home  is  in  the  bottom  of  a  desert.  We  once  found  him  singing  at 
8400  feet  on  the  snowy  crest  of  the  Sierra,  but  on  the  sunny  slope 
below  was  the  inevitable  sage. 


344  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

When  among  its  favorite  bushes  the  small  sparrow  is  hard  to  see, 
for  its  quick  darting  flight  ends  on  the  earth  and  it  runs  over  the 
ground  like  a  mouse.  The  best  view  you  can  get  of  it  is  when  it 
mounts  a  bush  and  throws  up  its  finely  striped  head  to  sing.  And 
what  an  odd  little  song  it  gives  !  It  has  the  metallic,  insect-like 
quality  of  a  marsh  wren's  song,  and  something  the  jingle  of  a 
canary's,  but  though  unmusical  the  ditty  is  so  cheery  and  bright  as 
to  be  distinctly  pi  easing  r 

The  sparrows'  morning  and  evening  choruses  are  especially  interest- 
ing, the  evening  the  more  so  perhaps  when  the  birds  are  feeding- 
young,  as  they  have  more  time  when  their  broods  are  attended  to 
for  the  night.  I  heard  the  chorus  for  the  first  time  in  Sierra  Valley, 
California,  when  we  rode  in  through  the  sagebrush  and  camped  on 
the  edge  of  the  pines  just  at  sunset.  The  curious  little  tinkling 
song  was  coming  up  from  all  over  the  brush,  and  it  seemed  as  if  we 
had  come  upon  a  marsh  full  of  singing,  though  subdued,  marsh 
wrens. 

563a.  Spizella  pusilla  arenacea  Chadb.  WESTERN  FIELD  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Bill  rufous  or  orange ;  broad  median  crown  stripe  and  some- 
times whole  crown  gray  between  reddish  brown  lateral  stripes,  which  are 
sometimes  indistinct ;  postocular  streak  rufous  ;  back  grayish,  rufous,  and 
buffy,  streaked  with  black ;  wing  with  two  distinct  bars ;  under  parts 
whitish,  slightly  tinged  with  rufous.  Young :  similar  but  colors  duller 
and  more  suffused ;  markings  of  head  less  distinct  and  lower  parts  streaked. 
Male:  length  (skins)  5.58-6.02,  wing  2.69-2.80,  tail  2.60-2.83,  bill  .37-.39. 
Female :  length  (skins)  5,  wing  2.44,  tail  2.47,  bill  .37. 

Remarks.  —  The  reddish  bill  and  absence  of  pectoral  blotch  are  enough 
to  distinguish  this  sparrow  from  the  western  tree  sparrow. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  Plains  in  Ne- 
braska, South  Dakota,  and  Montana ;  migrates  to  northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  in  old  weed  grown  fields  and  thickets, 
made  mainly  of  grass  stems,  Eggs :  3  to  5,  white,  tinged  with  green  or 
buff,  and  speckled  with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  weed  seed. 

564.  Spizella  wortheni  Ridgw.    WORTHEN  SPARROW. 

Top  of  head  dull  reddish  brown,  indistinctly  streaked  with  darker,  rest 
of  head,  including  forehead,  ashy ;  back  pale 
tawny,  broadly  streaked  with  black;  under 
parts  whitish,  tinged  with  buffy  gray  on  cheeks 
and  sides ;  bill  pinkish  brown  or  cinnamon 
rufous.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.98-5.07,  wing 
2.63-2.76,  tail  2.35-2.53,  bill  .37-.39.  Female: 
length  (skins)  5.06-5.25,  wing  2.55-2.69,  tail 
2.27-2.50,  bill  .3S-.36. 

Remarks.  —  The   Worthen  sparrow  may   be 
distinguished  from  the  western  chipping  by  the 
absence  of  black  on  forehead  and  black  streak 
433'  behind  eye. 

Distribution.  —  From  Silver  City,  New  Mexico,  south  on  plateau  of 
northeastern  Mexico  to  southern  Puebla. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  345 

565.  Spizella  atrogularis  (Cab.).     BLACK-CHINNED  SPARROW. 

Adult  male.  —  Throat  and  ring  around  bill  black  ;  head,  neck,  and  lower 
parts  gray,  becoming-  white  on   belly  and  under  tail  cov- 
erts; back  and  scapulars  rusty  brownish  narrowly  streaked 
with   blackish ;    bill    pinkish   brown.     Adult  female :    like 
male,  but  usually  with  black  of  chin  restricted,  often  want- 
ing-.     Young  :  similar,  but  black  replaced  by  gray,  streak- 
ing on  back  narrower,  chest  indistinctly  streaked.     Male :         Fig>  434' 
length    (skins)    4.80-5.53,    wing-    2.37-2.75,   tail  2.41-2.92,    bill    .34-.42. 
Female  :  length  (skins)  4.90-5.45,  wing-  2.37-2.55,  tail  2.33-2.75,  bill  .34- 
.39. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  desert  ranges  of  California,  Arizona,  and 
southern  New  Mexico  south  to  Lower  California  and  to  southern  end  of 
Mexican  tablelands. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes.     Eggs :  3  to  5,  plain  light  greenish  blue. 

The  black-chinned  sparrow  is  common  in  Los  Angeles  County, 
California,  in  summer,  on  brushy  mountain  sides  from  the  base  of 
the  foothills  up  to  7000  feet.  Its  song  is  said  to  resemble  closely 
that  of  the  eastern  field  sparrow. 

GENUS  JUNCO. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  conical ;  wing  rounded,  primaries  exceeding 
secondaries  by  much  less  than  length  of  tarsus;  tail  double-rounded; 
tarsus  decidedly  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw ;  hind  claw  nearly  or 
quite  as  long  as  toe. 

KEY  TO  ADULT  MALES. 

1.  Head  black  or  blackish. 

2.  Back  dark  brown oregamis,  p.  347. 

2'.  Back  light  brown. 

3.  Sides  pinkish-brown connectens,  p.  347. 

3'.  Sides  buffy-brown. 

4.  Sides  of  head  and  throat  deep  black  .     .     .      thurberi,  p.  347. 
4'.  Sides  of  head  and  throat  slaty  black  ....  pinosus,  p.  348. 
1'.  Head  gray  or  brownish. 
2.  Upper  parts  wholly  gray. 

3.  Wing  with  two  white  bars aikeiii,  p.  345. 

3'.  Wing  unmarked hyemalis,  p.  346. 

2'.  Upper  parts  gray  and  brown. 
3.  Back  bright  rufous. 

4.  Wing  coverts  and  tertials  rufous     ....     palliatus,  p.  349. 
4'.  Wing  coverts  and  tertials  not  rufous. 

5.  Under  parts  uniform  ashy  white      ....  dorsalis,  p.  349. 
5'.  Under  parts  not  ashy  white. 

6.  Sides  gray caniceps,  p.  349. 

6'.  Sides  pinkish annectens,  p.  348. 

3'.  Back  dull  brown. 

4.  Sides  slightly  pinkish montanus,  p.  348. 

4'.  Sides  broadly  pinkish mearnsi,  p.  348. 

566.  Junco  aikeni  Bidgw.    WHITE- WINGED  JUNCO. 
Adult  male.  —  Entire  body  almost  uniform  light  slaty  gray  except  for 


346  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

abruptly  white  belly ;  wings  usually  with  two  white  bars  and  tail  with  three 
outermost  feathers  almost  wholly  white.  Adult  female :  similar,  but 
paler,  upper  parts  tinged  with  brownish  ;  wing  bars  less  distinct,  often 
obsolete.  Young :  entire  body  profusely  streaked ;  under  parts  with 
whitish  ground.  Male:  length  (skins)  6.18-6.69,  wing  3.21-3.66,  tail 
2.96-3.10,  bill  .46-.51.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.89-6.62,  wing  3.19-3.32, 
tail  2.80-3.00,  bill  .45-. 49. 

Remarks.  —  This  is  the  only  junco  with  white  wing  bars,  and  there  is 
only  one  other  in  the  west  in  which  back  and  chest  are  of  the  same  color. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  northwestern  Nebraska,  the  Black  Hills,  North 
Dakota,  and  Wyoming  ;  migrates  to  Colorado  and  Kansas ;  casually  to 
Indian  Territory. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  usually  near  canyon  bottoms,  made  of  grass,  lined 
with  grass  and  hair.  Eggs  :  greenish  white,  lightly  spotted  with  reddish 
brown  and  lavender. 

The  white- winged  junco  winters  in  Colorado  from  the  Plains  to 
an  altitude  of  8000  feet  in  the  mountains,  where  Professor  Cooke 
finds  it  the  commonest  winter  junco. 

567.  Junco  hyemalis  (Linn.).    SLATE-COLORED  JUNCO. 

Adults.  —  Whole  body,  except  white  belly,  dark  slaty  gray,  often  blackish 

— .^1^.  on  head  in  male  and  washed  with  brownish  in  irnma- 

*|^  ttire  male  and  female,  when  the  sides  are  also  washed 

Ilk  with  pinkish  brown  ;    < wo  pairs   of   outer  tail  feathers 

^^k        white ;  bill  in  life  pinkish  white  or  flesh-color.     Young 

jS^L.    *n  first  plumage :   streaked  on  brown  upper  parts,  and 

Wp|MP^   buffy   white   under   parts,   wings  with   brownish   band. 

Male :  length  (skins)  5.44-6.23,  wing  3.02-3.24,  tail  2.49- 

2.80,  bill  .40-.46.   Female:  length  (skins)  5.22-6.10,  wing 

Fig.  435.          2.78-3.08,  tail  2.45-2.64,  bill  .39-.46. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  of  North 
America,  chiefly  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  south  in  the  mountains 
of  northeastern  United  States  to  Pennsylvania  ;  winters  south  to  the  Gulf 
States  ;  casual  in  Arizona  and  California  ;  straggling  to  Siberia. 

Nest.  —  Usually   on   the   ground,   rather   bulky,   composed   largely   of 
dried  grass  stems  and  rootlets,  lined  with  softer  materials.     Eggs:  usu- 
ally 4  or  5,  white,  greenish,  or  buffy,  speckled  with  reddish  brown. 
Food.  —  Insects  and  weed  seed. 

Juncos  are  foresters  or  mountaineers  who  are  driven  down  from 
the  mountains  into  the  mild  valleys  when  the  severe  snows  come. 
In  this  way  the  Sierra  species  spends  the  winter  in  the  parks  and 
cemeteries  of  San  Francisco.  Others  come  from  the  far  north  and 
go  on  to  spend  their  winters  in  the  south.  Several  species  winter 
in  the  Great  Basin  country.  Some  members  of  the  west  coast  con- 
tingency spread  out  over  the  interior  valleys  or  even  go  to  such 
popular  resorts  as  Pasadena,  where  they  hop  about  over  the  ground 
under  the  pepper-trees  as  if  finding  the  pink  aromatic  berries  a  feast 
spread  to  their  taste. 

When  seen  away  from  home,  or  at  any  time  except  the  nesting 
season,  they  are  quiet,  social  birds,  always  sitting  around  in  flocks, 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  347 

flying  up  together  with  a  twitter  and  a  flash  of  their  white  outer 
tail  feathers,  or  singing  in  concert  a  sunny,  pleasing  warble. 

In  the  breeding  season  the  gray -headed  junco  may  be  found  nest- 
ing on  the  cold  crests  of  the  desert  ranges  in  Nevada  and  the  Great 
Basin,  the  pink-sided  in  grassy  parks  in  the  pine  forests  of  Mon- 
tana, and  the  Point  Pinos  at  Monterey,  where  the  fragrance  of  the 
pines  is  mingled  with  the  distant  roar  of  the  Pacific.  In  their  homes 
you  find  them  more  interesting  than  when  in  flocks,  because  they 
are  now  leading  individual  lives,  but  they  are  still  the  same  trustful, 
gentle  birds,  ready  to  come  into  camp  or  to  let  you  examine  their 
nests.  On  Mt.  Shasta  and  in  the  Sierra  Nevada  the  Thurber  junco 
nests  in  the  fir  forests  and  mountain  meadows  from  an  altitude  of 
7000  to  8000  feet,  frequently  building  near  a  brook  under  shelter  of 
a  broad-leafed  hellebore.  One  nest  found  on  Donner  Peak  was  sunk 
in  a  bed  of  blooming  heather.  The  brooding  birds  as  a  rule  are  very 
tame,  though  they  sit  around  and  tsip  at  you  when  you  come  near, 
and  on  rare  occasions  the  mother  will  decoy. 

56 7a.  J.  h.  oreganus  (Towns.).    OREGON  JUNCO. 

Adult  male.  —  Head,  neck,  and  chest  black  or  dark  slaty,  the  black 
chest  pattern  outlined  on  the  white  of  the  under  parts  as  a  black  convex ; 
middle  of  back  dark  brown ;  sides  deep  pinkish  brown ;  three  outer  tail 
feathers  with  white,  outside  pair  wholly  white.  Adult  female :  black  of 
male  replaced  by  slaty ;  crown  and  hind  neck  washed  with  brown,  and 
rest  of  upper  parts  brownish  ;  sides  and  flanks  duller ;  bill  in  life  pinkish, 
tipped  with  dusky,  and  iris  dark  brown  or  claret  color.  In  winter :  colors 
stronger,  and  feathers  of  chest  tipped  with  whitish.  Young:  streaked, 
on  brown  above,  buffy  below.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.50-6.07,  wing  2.86— 
3.08,  tail  2.43-2.69,  bill  .41-.45.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.17-5.79," wing 
2.78-2.86,  tail  2.34-2.46,  bill  .41-.45. 

Remarks.  —  The  subspecies  of  hyemalis  are  black-headed  and  chested 
instead  of  gray  as  in  hyemalis,  aikeni,  and  annectens,  and  the  chest  line  is 
convex  instead  of  straight  across  from  wing  to  wing.  Of  the  hyemalis 
subspecies  oreganus  is  the  darkest,  the  head,  neck,  and  chest  of  the  adult 
male  being  deep  black  and  the  back  dark  chestnut  brown. 

Distribution.  — Breeds  on  the  Pacific  coast  from  Alaska  to  British  Co- 
lumbia ;  winters  south  to  California ;  straggling  to  eastern  Oregon  and 
Nevada. 

567b.  J.  h.  connectens  Coues.     INTERMEDIATE  JUNCO. 

Similar  to  oreganus,  but  head  and  neck  blackish  slate  instead  of  jet 
black,  back  dull  brown  and  sides  pinkish  brown.  Male :  length  (skins) 
5.55-6.20,  wing  3.00-3.22,  tail  2.62-2.84,  bill  .42-46.  Female:  length 
(skins)  5.40-5.92,  wing  2.82-3.08,  tail  2.30-2.71,  bill  .41-.43. 

Distribution. — Breeds  in  the  Rocky  Mountain  region  from  British  Co- 
lumbia and  Alberta  to  Washington  and  northern  Oregon  ;  east  probably  to 
Montana  and  Idaho  ;  winters  over  the  Rocky  Mountain  plateau  to  western 
Texas  and  northern  Mexico  ;  straggling  to  California. 

56 7c.  J.  h.  thurberi  Anthony.    THURBER  JUNCO. 

Similar  to  oreganus,  but  wings  and  tail  longer ;  head,  throat,  and  breast 


348  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

deep  black,  sharply  contrasting  with  light  brown  of  back ;  sides  buffy  rather 
than  pink;  young  resembling  oreganus,  but 
upper  parts  lighter.  Male:  length  (skins) 
5.32-5.95,  wing  2.94-3.12,  tail  2.48-2.68,  bill 
.40-.46.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.00-5.67, 
wing  2.82-2.94,  tail  2.38-2.56,  bill  .41-.43. 
Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southern  Oregon  south  through  the  Sierra 

Nevada,  desert,  and  coast  ranges,  probably  to  northern  Lower  California ; 

straggles  to  Arizona  in  winter.     Migration  mainly  vertical. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  usually  under  a  weed  or  bush  or  in  a  bank, 

made  largely  of  fine  grass  and  other  plant  stems,  shreds  of  inner  bark, 

lined  with  vegetable  fibers  and  long  porcupine  or  horse  hairs. 

567d.  J.  h.  pinosus  Loomis.     POINT  PINOS  JUNCO. 

Like  thurberi,  but  black  replaced  by  slaty  on  sides  of  head  and  throat ; 
bill  longer,  general  dimensions  somewhat  less.  Young  much  mere  strongly 
tinged  with  buff  below.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.00-5.49,  wing  2.40-2.90, 
tail  2.30-2.55,  bill  .40-. 45.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.90-5.65,  win<»  2.62- 
2.79,  tail  2.31-2.39,  bill  .40-.45. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  coast  range  of  California  (Point  Pinos,  near 
Monterey). 

Nest.  — As  described  by  Emerson,  in  a  slight  hollow  at  the  foot,  of  a 
bunch  of  grass,  made  of  leaves  and  lined  with  dead  grass  and  a  few  cow 
hairs. 

567.1.  Junco  montanus  Eidgw.  MONTANA  JUNCO:  MOUNTAIN 
JUNCO. 

Adult  male.  —  Head,  neck,  and  chest  slate  color ;  back  dull  light  brown ; 
sides  pale  pinkish  ;  belly  white  ;  outer  tail  feathers  largely  white.  Adult 
female :  similar,  but  duller,  and  brown  of  back  extending  up  over  crown. 
Adults  in  winter :  plumage  softer.  Young  injirst  winter :  similar  to  winter 
adults,  but  duller,  feathers  edged  largely  with  brownish.  Male:  length 
(skins)  5.49-6.00,  wing  3.02-3.28,  tail  2.58-2.78,  bill  .39-.44.  Female: 
length  (skins)  5.25-5.69,  wing  2.88-3.03,  tail  2.35-2.65,  bill  .39-.44. 

Remarks.  —  Montanus  resembles  connectens,  but  is  paler.  It  also  sug- 
gests mearnsi,  but  its  wings  and  tail  are  shorter,  and  the  color  of  the 
head,  neck,  and  chest  darker. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Alberta  south  to  Montana  and  Idaho ;  win- 
ters south  to  Texas,  Arizona,  and  Chihuahua,  Mexico;  irregularly  or 
casually  to  the  Mississippi  Valley  and  eastward. 

568.  Junco  mearnsi  Eidgw.    PINK-SIDED  JUNCO. 

Adult  male.  —  Head,  neck,  and  chest  clear  light  slaty  gray ;  sides  exten- 
sively pink  ;  lores  blackish  ;  back  and  scapulars  dull  brown.  Adult  female  : 
similar,  but  brown  of  back  extending  up  on  crown;  sides  less  pinkish. 
Young :  head  and  back  brownish,  streaked  with  blackish ;  wings  with 
brownish  bars  ;  under  parts  streaked,  on  buffy  or  grayish  ground.  Male  .• 
length  (skins)  5.67-6.11,  wing  3.14-3.34,  tail  2.64-2.89,  bill  .40-.45.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  5.43-5.94,  wing  2.90-3.37,  tail  2.59-2.90,  bill  .40-.45. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Rocky  Mountain  region  of  Idaho  and  Mon- 
tana ;  migrates  to  Arizona,  New  Mexico,  and  northern  Mexico. 

568.1.  Junco  annectens  Baird.    RIDGWAY  JUNCO. 

Similar  to  caniceps,  but  with  sides  and  flanks  pinkish  vinaceous  as  in 
mearnsi.  Length  :  6.40,  wing  3.13,  tail  3.05,  bill  .47. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  349 

Distribution.  —  Not  well  defined ;  has  been  taken  in  Nevada,  Wyoming, 
Colorado,  Arizona,  and  New  Mexico. 

569.  Junco  caniceps  (Woodh.).    GRAY-HEADED  JUNCO. 

Adults.  —  Ash  gray,  except  for  white  on  middle  of  belly,  bright  rufous 
back,  black  lores,  and  white  outer  tail  feathers  ;  iris  dark  brown  or  claret 
color.  Young :  streaked ;  ground  color  of  upper  parts  brown.  Male : 
length  (skins)  5.62-6.19,  wing  3.21-3.41,  tail  2.70-2.94,  bill  .42-.47.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  5.54-5.94,  wing  2.95-3.30,  tail  2.48-2.81,  biU  .41-.46. 

Remarks.  —  The  gray  sides  distinguish  this  junco  from  all  but  the  adult 
male  hyemalis,  which  has  no  reddish  brown  back  patch. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Rocky  Mountain  region,  from  the  Black  Hills 
to  the  Guadalupe  Mountains  in  New  Mexico  and  Texas ;  west  from  Col- 
orado to  Nevada ;  migrates  to  northwestern  Mexico  ;  casually  to  southern 
California. 

570.  Junco  phaeonotus  palliatus  Eidgw.    ARIZONA  JUNCO. 

Adults.  —  Top  of  head  and  rump  ash  gray ;  back  bright  brown  ;  greater 
wing  coverts  and  tertials  with  outer  webs  chiefly  rusty  or  rufous  ;  under  parts 
whitish  ;  outer  tail  feathers  largely  white  ;  iris  yellow.  Young :  streaked. 
Male :  length  (skins)  5.91-6.53,  wing  3.00-3.26,  tail  2.72-3.01,  bill  .44- 
48.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.56-5.94,  wing  2.91-3.00,  tail  2.46-2.82, 
bill  .44-.4S. 

Eemarks.  —  The  Arizona  and  the  red-backed  juncos  have  the  under 
parts  nearly  uniform,  but  the  brown  on  the  wings  distinguishes  palliatus 
from  dorsalis.  These  two,  with  caniceps  and  male  hyemalis,  are  all  with- 
out pink  on  the  sides. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  mountains  of  southern  Arizona  and  probably 
of  northern  Mexico. 

570a.  J.  p.  dorsalis  (Henry).    RED-BACKED  JUNCO. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  ashy  gray,  except  for  bright  rufous  back;  under 
parts  ashy  white ;  iris  brown.  Young :  streaked ; 
back   reddish   brown.     Male :    length    (skins) 
5.81-6.45,  wing  3.22-3.41,  tail  2.87-3.03,  bill 
.44-.50.      Female:    length    (skins)    5.49-6.12,  Fig  437 

wing  3.00-3.21,  tail  2.69-2.92,  bill  .45-.4S. 

Remarks.  —  The  absence  of  brown  on  the  wings  distinguishes  this  sub- 
species from  palliatus. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  in  mountains  of 
New  Mexico  and  northern  Arizona ;  winters  south  to  western  Texas  and 
northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  clumps  of  oaks  on  hillsides,  or,  as  described  by  Dr.  Mearns, 
on  ground  in  pine  woods,  concealed  by  bunch  of  wire  grass,  composed  of 
loosely  put  together  roots,  stems  of  plants,  grasses,  and  an  occasional 
feather.  Eggs  :  4,  greenish  white,  marked  with  lilac  and  reddish  brown 
around  one  end. 

The  coloration  of  most  of  the  juncos  is  not  particularly  protective 
except  as  the  color  pattern  disguises  the  bird's  form,  but  the  red- 
backed  on  the  pine  plateau  of  San  Francisco  Mountain,  Arizona, 
spends  a  large  part  of  its  time  about  the  fallen  pine -tops,  where  the 
red  of  its  back  and  the  red  of  the  dead  pine  needles  and  old  bark 
make  a  protective  combination  that,  added  to  the  gray  of  the  body, 


350  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

which  offsets  the  gray  of  the  branches,  results  in  a  most  effective 
disguise. 

GENUS.  AMPHISPIZA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  small,  nearly  straight ;  wing  slightly  rounded, 
but  without  elongated  inner  secondaries ;  tail  nearly  equal  to  wings, 
feathers  rounded  at  ends ;  tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw,  side 
toes  of  unequal  length. 

KEY   TO  SPECIES. 

1.  Throat  black. 
2.  Smaller ;  upper  parts  darker.     Kansas  to  central  Texas. 

bilineata,  p.  350. 

2'.  Larger,  upper  parts  paler  and  browner.    Western  Texas  to  California. 

deserticola,  p.  350. 
1'.  Throat  white. 

2.  Smaller  and  darker.     West  of  Sierra  Nevada     .     .     .     belli,  p.  351. 
2'.  Larger  and  paler.     Sagebrush  plains     .     .     .     nevadensis,  p.  351. 

573.  Amphispiza  bilineata  (Cass.).  BLACK-THROATED  SPARROW. 
Adults.  —  Lores  and  throat  patch  black  ;  sides  of  head  dark  gray  with 
two  white  stripes,  under  parts  mainly  white ; 
upper  parts  plain  grayish  brown  ;  tail,  except 
middle  feathers,  marked  with  white.  Young: 
without  distinct  black  markings  ;  throat  white, 
often  marked  with  gray  ;  chest  streaked  ;  wing 
coverts  and  edges  of  tertials  light  buffy  brown. 
Male :  length  (skins)  4.80-5.25,  wing  2.43-2.60, 
tail  2.27-2.47.  bill  .3S-.39.  Female:  length 
(skins)  4.75-5.35,  wing  2.38-2.60,  tail  2.18-2.45, 
bill  .38-.40. 

Distribution.  —  From  western  Kansas  south 
to  middle  and  eastern  Texas  and  northeastern 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes,  sagebrush,  and  other 
desert  shrubs,  composed  of  fine  shreds  of  bark. 

Eggs :  o  or  4,  plain  greenish  or  bluish  white,  rarely  lightly  spotted. 

573a.  A.  b.  deserticola  Ridgw.     DESERT  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Similar  to  A.  bilineata  "  but  averaging  larger ;  upper  parts 
paler  and  browner,  and  white  spot  at  end  of  inner  web  of  outermost  tail 
feather  much  smaller."  (Ridgway.)  Young:  feathers  of  back  edged 
with  buffy  rufous  ;  breast  streaked  with  gray  ;  belly  white.  Male  :  length 
(skins)  4.90-5.45,  wing  2.52-2.78,  tail  2.40-2.69,  bill  .39-.42.  Female: 
length  (skins)  4.80-5.20,  wing  2.45-2.60,  tail  2.32-2.49,  bill  .36-.41. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  on  the  arid  plains  from 
western  Texas  and  New  Mexico  —  west  of  103°  —  to  the  coast  of  south- 
ern California,  and  from  northern  Utah  and  Nevada  south  to  northern 
Mexico  and  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  In  sagebrush,  cat's-claw,  cactus,  or  other  bushes,  loosely  made 
of  dry  grass  and  fine  plant  stems,  lined  with  feathers,  horsehair,  and  wool. 
Eggs :  3  or  4,  bluish  white. 

On  long  hot  rides  over  the  larrea  and  low  mesquite  plains  of  New 
M«xico  the  desert  sparrow  is  the  commonest  bird  of  the  way,  its 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  351 

black  tail  always  disappearing  in  the  bushes  ahead  of  the  horses  as 
you  pass. 

When  we  were  camped  on  the  arid  mesa  of  the  Pecos  River, 
among  the  sounds  that  were  oftenest  in  our  ears  were  the  songs  of 
the  mockingbird  and  nonpareil,  the  iterant  pe-cos'  of  the  scaled  quail, 
and  the  calls  of  the  verdin  and  roadrunner,  while,  mingled  with  them, 
always  tinkling  from  the  bushes,  was  the  cheery  little  tune  of 
Amphispiza.  Tra-ree' -rah,  ree'-rah-ree  was  one  of  the  commonest  of 
its  varied  modifications,  and  it  was  generally  given  with  a  burr  like 
that  of  the  lark  sparrow.  On  all  our  walks  through  the  thorn  brush 
and  climbs  over  the  agave -speared  hills  we  found  the  lovely  little 
bird  everywhere,  sitting  on  top  of  the  bushes  singing  with  head 
thrown  back  in  fine  enjoyment  of  his  bright  lay. 

One  small  father  bird,  trying  to  attract  us  when  we  were  taking 
notes  on  the  first  plumage  of  his  brood,  after  twittering  and  calling 
in  vain,  flew  excitedly  to  a  bush  top  and  fairly  burst  into  song  while 
his  mate  was  trailing  over  the  ground  beside  us,  with  the  result  that 
the  brood  grew  so  unmanageable  that  they  popped  out  of  the  nest 
faster  than  we  could  put  them  back ! 

574.  Amphispiza  belli  (Cass.).    BELL  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Throat  bordered  with  black  and  white  stripes  ;  breast  with 
black  blotch ;  rest  of  under  parts  white  ;  orbital  ring  and  spot  above 
lores  white  ;  upper  parts  brownish  gray,  grayer  on  head,  usually  without 
distinct  streaks;  wing-  coverts  and  tertials  edged  with  buffy;  edge  of  wing 
yellowish ;  tail  feathers  black,  indistinctly  marked  with  lighter.  Young  : 
upper  parts  light  grayish  brown,  streaked  with  black ;  under  parts  buffy, 
streaked  except  on  throat ;  wing  with  two  rather  distinct  buffy  bands. 
Male  :  length  (skins)  4.90-5.70,  wing  2.32-2.79,  tail  2.32-2.87,  bill  .32-.41. 
Female:  length  (skins)  5.00-5.60,  wing  2.40-2.61,  tail  2.30-2.70,  bill  .31- 
.39. 

Distribution.  —  From  about  latitude  38°  in  valleys  and  foothills  of  Cali- 
fornia, west  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  San  Bernardino  Mountains,  to  north- 
ern Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  About  3  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  grasses  and  slender 
weeds,  lined  partly  with  hair.  Eggs :  4,  pale  greenish,  thickly  spotted 
with  reddish  brown  dots. 

In  Los  Angeles  County,  California,  Mr.  Grinnell  finds  the  Bell 
sparrow  locally  common  on  the  brush-covered  washes  of  the  mesas, 
extending  up  to  50QO  feet  in  summer. 

574a.  A.  b.  nevadensis  (Eidgw.).    SAGE  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Sides  of  throat  with  a  series  of  narrow  blackish  streaks,  but  no 
continuous  stripe  ;  chest  with  black  spot ;  sides  and  flanks  faintly  tinged 
with  light  brown ;  rest  of  under  parts  whitish ;  upper  parts  light  grayish 
brown,  back  usually  streaked  narrowly  but  clearly  ;  outer  web  of  lateral 
tail  feather  white.  Young :  like  adults  but  upper  parts  and  chest  streaked, 
and  wings  with  two  buffy  bands.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.50-6.20,  wing 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

3.05-3.20,  tail  2.78-3.09,  bill  .37-.41.  Female : 
length  (skins)  5.40-6.20,  wing  2.85-3.15,  tail 
2.65-2.98,  bill  .37-41. 

Remarks.  —  The  absence  of  a  continuous 
stripe  on  the  side  of  the  throat  is  enough  to 
distinguish  the  sage  sparrow  from  the  Bell. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  sagebrush  plains 
of  Upper  Sonoran  zone  from  Oregon  and  Idaho 
south  to  California  and  New  Mexico  ;  winters 
in  western  Texas,  New  Mexico,  Arizona,  and 
southern  California. 

Nest.  —  In  sage  and  other  low  bushes,  made 
largely  of  fine  shreds  of  sagebrush  bark  and 
Sage  Sparrow.  dried  grass  stems.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  greenish 
white  or  dull  grayish  white,  speckled,  chiefly 
around  larger  end,  with  reddish  brown,  mixed  with  a  few  darker  markings. 

As  Amphispiza  bilineata  is  the  bird  of  the  creosote  and  mesquite 
deserts  of  the  Lower  Sonoran  zone,  so  nenadensis  is  one  of  the  most 
characteristic  birds  of  the  sagebrush  deserts  of  the  Upper  Souoran. 
He  is  indeed  well  named,  for  you  find  him  everywhere  throughout 
the  sagebrush  valleys  of  the  Great  Basin.  His  soft  gray  tones  and 
faint  streakings  blend  in  well  with  the  gray  green  brush.  As  he  sits 
on  top  of  the  tallest  bushes  his  long  black  tail  and  its  gently  tilting 
motion  are  good  long  range  recognition  marks. 

Most  of  the  year  the  birds  are  silent,  but  during  the  breeding  sea- 
son the  sagebrush  fairly  rings  with  their  simple  but  exquisitely 
sweet  song.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

GENUS   PEUC-ffiJA. 
General  Characters.  —  Similar  to  Aimophila,  but  edge  of  wing  yellow. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  parts  ashy,  back  spotted  and  barred  with  sandy  brown. 

cassini,  p.  352. 
1'.  Upper  parts  gray,  streaked  with  dull  rufous  and  spotted  with  black. 

botterii,  p.  352. 

576.  Peucaea  botterii  (Sdat.).    BOTTERI  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  grayish,  streaked  with  dull  rufous  and  spotted 
with  black  ;  edge  of  wing  yellow  ;  under  parts  plain  dull  buffy.  Young  : 
upper  parts  buffy,  streaked  with  dusky  ;  under  parts  buffy  ;  throat,  chest, 
and  sides  streaked.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.10-6.35,  wing  2.35-2.75,  tail 
2.65-2.78,  bill  .45-.50.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.20-5.70,  wing  2.30-2.68, 
tail  2.22-2.53,  bill  .43-.50. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  and  the  lower  Rio  Grande  Valley 
in  Texas  south  over  the  plateau  of  Mexico  to  Chiapas. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground.     Eggs :  (1  set)  4,  pure  white. 

678.  Peucsear  cassini  (Woodh.).    CASSIN  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  ashen,  streaked  with  sandy  brown  ;  feathers  of  back 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  353 

sandy  brown  with  black  shaft  streak  and  black  cross  bar  near  tip,  the  edges 
gray ;  upper  tail  coverts  with  transverse,  round- 
ish, or  crescentic  dusky  streaks  ;  middle  tail 
feathers  with  indication  of  transverse  bars 
from  median  black  shaft  streak ;  edge  of  wing:  ™-  TTT^T"1 
yellow,  and  shoulder  tinged  with  yellow ;  under  Flg*  44°'  Ca8Sm  Spam>W' 
parts  grayish,  tinged  with  brown  on  chest  and  sides.  Young :  chest  and 
upper  parts  distinctly  streaked.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.15-5.80,  wing  2.35- 
2.65,  tail  2.40-2.82,  bill  .40-.46.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.30-5.80,  wing 
2.40-2.53,  tail  2.50-2.75,  bill  .40-.47. 

Remarks.  —  In  the  field  the  sandy  brown  streaking  of  the  gray  upper 
parts  is  characteristic. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  Kansas  south  to 
Arizona  and  northern  Mexico,  and  from  Texas  northwest  to  Nevada. 

Nest .  —  On  ground,  in  low  bushes,  or  tufts  of  grass.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  white 
or  bluish  white. 

When  going  quietly  through  the  stunted  bushes  that  make  up  a 
large  part  of  the  mesquite  plains  you  often  find  yourself  in  the  midst 
of  a  chorus  of  Cassin  sparrows.  Scattered  through  the  bushes  around 
you  the  little  brown  choristers  one  by  one  spring  up  several  feet 
above  the  brush  and  with  heads  high  and  wings  outspread  in  a  rap- 
ture of  song  give  themselves  to  the  air,  floating  slowly  down  as 
they  sing.  The  song  is  always  melodious  and  pleasing,  but  at  its 
best  has  something  of  the  uplift  and  fine  spiritual  quality  of  that  of 
the  pine  woods  sparrow,  gaining  impressiveness  from  the  abandon 
with  which  it  is  uttered. 

The  birds  sing  in  spring  and  early  summer,  and  through  the  breed- 
ing season  at  least  keep  it  up  all  day,  closing  with  a  blithe  sunset 
concert. 

GENUS   AIMOPHILA. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  short,  much  rounded  or  truncate  at  tip, 
primaries  exceeding  secondaries  usually  by  less  than  length  of  bill ;  ter- 
tials  not  elongated  ;  tail  graduated ;  feathers  narrow,  but  with  rounded 
tips  ;  tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw. 

KEY  TO  SPFXJIES. 

1.  Wing  with  bright  rufous  patch carpalis,  p.  353. 

1'.  Wing  without  bright  rufous  patch. 
2.  Upper  parts  mainly  gray.     In  southwestern  Texas. 

eremceca,  p.  355. 
2'.  Upper  parts  mainly  rufous. 

3.  Smaller.     In  California ruficeps,  p.  354. 

3'.  Larger.     Western  Texas  to  Arizona scottii,  p.  354. 

579.  Aimophila  carpalis  (Coues).    RUFOUS-WINGED  SPARROW: 

BENDIRE  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Wings  with  conspicuous  bright  rufous  patch ;  crown  heavily 
streaked  with  rufous,  mixed  with  gray,  and  divided  by  narrow  gray  line ; 
rusty  streak  behind  eye,  and  two  blackish  stripes  from  bill  down  side  of 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

throat ;  back  buffy  brown,  sharply  streaked 
with  black  ;  under  parts  grayish  white.  Young : 
entire  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  broadly 
streaked  with  blackish  ;  patch  on  wing  coverts 
dusky,  margined  with  pale  brownish  buff ; 
under  parts  whitish,  chest  and  sides  broadly 
streaked  with  dusky.  Male :  length  (skins) 
5.00-5.35,  wing  2.40-2.60,  tail  2.50-2.68,  bill 
.40-.42.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.85-5.25, 
*  Spfrro°w8"W1Dg  win§-  2.34-2.50,  tail  2.43-2.65,  bill  .S8-.42. 

Remarks.  —  The  uniform  bright  rufous  wing 
patches  of  the  adults  of  carpalis  are  diagnostic. 
Distribution.  —  Arizona  and  northwestern  Mexico. 
Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground.     Eggs :  3  to  5,  plain  bluish  white. 

In  the  foothills  of  the  Santa  Catalina  Mountains,  Arizona,  Mr. 
Scott  found  small  flocks  of  the  rufous-winged  sparrows  from  an  alti- 
tude of  3000  to  4500  feet.  They  were  sometimes  associated  with 
the  chipping  sparrows,  whose  habits  are  similar. 

580.  Aimophila  ruficeps  (Cass.).  RUFOUS-CROWNED  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Crown  chiefly  reddish  brown ;  rest  of  upper  parts  grayish  or 
grayish  brown,  broadly  streaked  with  reddish 
brown  ;  throat  bordered  by  black  stripe  ;  sides 
of  head  and  neck  and  under  parts  pale  buffy  or 
brownish.  Young :  like  adult,  but  upper  parts 
dull  brownish,  streaked ;  under  parts  dingy 
buff,  chest  and  sides  streaked.  Male :  length 
(skins)  5.00-5.55,  wing  2.20-2.40,  tail  2.25- 
2.65,  bill  .41-.50.  Female:  length  (skins) 
5.00-5.20,  wing  2.18-2.30,  tail  2.32-2.60,  bill 
Pig.  442.  .43-.50. 

Eemarks.  —  The  prevailing  dull  reddish 
brown  of  the  upper  parts,  together  with  the  size,  marks  the  rufous-crowned 
sparrow. 

Distribution.  —  From  northern  California  —  latitude  40°  —  south  along 
the  Pacific  coast  to  northern  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  made  of  grasses,  lined  with  stems  and 
sometimes  a  few  hairs.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  plain  white  or  bluish  white. 

In  Los  Angeles  County,  Mr.  Grinnell  says,  the  rufous-crowned  is 
tolerably  common  locally  in  the  foothills  throughout  the  year,  but  is 
most  abundant  in  April.  In  the  Crafton  Hills,  where  Mr.  Williams 
found  it  nesting,  it  was  very  shy  and  rarely  seen,  the  brooding  bird 
gliding  from  her  nest  and  dodging  around  the  tufts  of  grass  until 
hidden  behind  a  bush. 

580a.  A.  r.  scottii  (Senn.).    SCOTT  SPARROW. 

Similar  to  ruficeps,  but  larger,  and  sometimes  not  quite  so  bright.  Male  : 
length  (skins)  5.30-6.10,  wing  2.50-2.77,  tail  2.60-2.92,  bill  .45-.55.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  5.30-5.50,  wing  2.37-2.52,  tail  2.50-2.67,  bill  .45-.50. 

Distribution.  —  From  western  Texas  to  southern  Arizona  and  south  to 
Durango,  Mexico. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  355 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Scott,  on  bare  ground,  bulky,  loosely  made  of 
coarse  dried  grasses.  Eggs :  3,  white. 

In  the  Santa  Catalina  Mountains  of  Arizona,  Mr.  Scott  found  the 
Scott  sparrow  a  common  resident  from  2000  to  4000  feet  in  winter, 
and  nearly  up  to  10,000  feet  in  summer.  'When  flushed,  he  says, 
instead  of  hiding  in  the  thick  grass  it  flies  to  the  nearest  tree,  making 
little  effort  to  conceal  itself. 

In  New  Mexico  we  found  it  about  rocky  ledges  of  the  Guadalupe 
Mountains.  Its  song  in  August  was  short  and  rather  mechanical. 

5 8 Ob.  A.  r.  eremoeca  (Brown).    ROCK  SPARROW. 

Similar  to  ruficeps,  but  prevailing  color  of  upper  parts  ashy,  feathers  of 
back  dull  brownish  centrally  with  black  shaft  streaks.  Male :  length 
(skins)  5.40-6.00,  wing  2.58-2.70,  tail  2.60-2.80,  bill  .46-:51.  Female: 
length  (skins)  5.45-5.90,  wing  2.41-2.57,  tail  2.45-2.85,  bill  .45-.51. 

Distribution.  —  From  middle  and  southwestern  Texas  to  Orizaba,  Mexico ; 
breeds  in  limestone  hills  of  middle  Texas ;  migrates  to  Vera  Cruz,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  usually  sheltered  by  a  bush.  One  — 
in  Chisos  Mountains  —  under  soto.  bulky,  made  of  grass  and  lined  with 
fine  plant  fibers;  with  4  bluish  white  eggs. 

GENUS   MELOSPIZA. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  short,  rounded,  primaries  exceeding  second- 
aries by  much  less  than  length  of  tarsus ;  tail  rounded ;  tarsus  about  equal 
to  middle  toe  with  claw. 

KEY  TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Chest  buffy. 

2.  Streaks  on  upper  parts  finer,  not  so  black    .     .     .   liiicoliiii,  p.  359. 
2'.  Streaks  on  upper  parts  coarser  and  blacker      .     .     .  striata,  p.  360. 
1'.  Chest  not  buffy. 

2.  Chest  faintly  if  at  all  streaked georgiana,  p.  360. 

2'.  Chest  distinctly  streaked. 

3.  Upper  parts  mainly  pale  rufous f allax,  p.  357. 

3'.  Upper  parts  not  pale  rufous. 

4.  Upper  parts  sooty,  rusty,  brown,  or  olive. 
5.  Upper  parts  dark  sooty  or  rusty. 

6.  Sooty,  larger.     Alaska ;  to  Olympics  in  winter. 

rufina,  p.  358. 
6'.  Rusty,  smaller. 

7.  Bill  larger ;  darker.    Southern  Alaska  to  Oregon  ;  to  south- 
ern California  in  winter morphna,  p.  358. 

7'. Bill  smaller;  lighter.      Idaho  to  northern  California;  to 
Mexico  and  Arizona  in  winter      .     .     merrilli,  p.  359. 
5'.  Upper  parts  brown  or  olive. 

6.  Larger;  wing  (male)   2.42-2.80.     Central   valleys   of  Cali- 
fornia     heermanni,  p.  357. 

6'. Smaller;  wing  (male)  2.21-2.51.     Santa  Cruz  to  Humboldt 

County,  California samuelis,  p.  358. 

4'.  Upper  parts  grayish. 

5.  Interscapulars  streaked  with  black  and  brown. 


356  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

6.  Wing  (male)  2.49-2.84 ;  bill  stouter.     Atlantic  watershed. 

melodia,  p.  356. 
6'.  Wing  (male)  2.58-2.91 ;  bill  more  slender.    Rocky  Mountain 

plateau montana,  p.  357. 

5'.  Interscapulars  without  distinct  brown  streaks. 

6.  Larger ;  wing  (male)  2.45-2.60.     San  Clemente,  San  Miguel, 

and  Santa  Rosa  Islands,  California   .   clementae,  p.  359. 

6'.  Smaller;  wing  (male)  2.29-2.41.     Santa  Barbara  and  Santa 

Cruz  Islands,  California graminea,  p.  358. 

581.  Melospiza  melodia  (Wilson).    SONG  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Crown  brown,  narrowly  streaked  with  black  and  with  a  nar- 
row gray  median  stripe  ;  scapulars  and  interscapulars  streaked  with  black  ; 
wings  and  tail  brown  ;  middle  and  greater  wing  coverts 
brown,  edged  with  lighter  ;   middle  tail   feathers  with 
blackish  shaft  streaks ;   superciliary  olive  gray ;  malar 
stripe  dull  white  or  pale  buffy ;  under  parts  white  ;  chest 
with  wedge-shaped  streaks  of  black  edged  with  rusty 
brown,  forming  an   irregular   median  spot ;   sides  and 
flanks  streaked  with  black  and  rusty  brown.     Young: 
^  443  **ke  adults,  but  without  gray  on  upper  parts ;   ground 

color  of  back  and  scapulars  buffy  brownish  or  dull  buffy  ; 
under  parts  duller  white,  often  quite  buffy,  with  the  streaks  narrower, 
less  distinct.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.30-6.48,  wing  2.49-2.84,  tail  2.44- 
2.79,  bill  .45-52.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.15-6.10,  wing  2.42-2.81,  tail 
2.19-2.77,  bill  .45-.51. 

Remarks.  —  In  summer  the  colors  are  grayer  and  streaks  on  chest  nar- 
rower, sometimes  with  brown  edgings  worn  off;  in  winter  the  general 
coloration  is  browner,  the  brown  more  rusty,  the  gray  more  buffy. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  United  States  west  to  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
north  to  Norway  House,  Lake  Winnipeg. 

Nest.  —  In  low  bushes  or  on  the  ground,  made  chiefly  of  grasses  lined 
with  slender  stems.     Eggs :  4  or  5,  dull  greenish  white,  spotted  with  red- 
dish brown,  sometimes  concealing  ground  color. 
Food.  —  Mainly  injurious  insects  and  weed  seed. 

As  his  name  denotes,  the  song  sparrow  is  one  of  the  most  tuneful 
of  the  sparrow  family.  He  is  not  a  great  or  showy  musician,  but  a 
singer  of  songs,  plain  every-day  home  songs  with  the  heart  left  in 
them.  His  content  and  good  cheer  are  so  contagious  that  you  wel- 
come his  voice  wherever  you  hear  it.  And  you  may  hear  it  in  every 
state  of  the  Union,  for,  under  whatever  name  he  is  known,  he  is  a 
song  sparrow  still. 

At  Neah  Bay,  Washington,  where  the  rainfall  reaches  the  maxi- 
mum for  the  United  States,  and  the  vegetation  is  dense  and  the  soil 
dark,  we  find  him  almost  sable  brown,  but  on  the  deserts  of  the 
southwest  his  colors  are  pale  sandy  to  match  the  light  open  ground. 
Indeed,  his  coat  is  so  sensitive  to  slight  changes  of  environment 
that  he  is  a  sore  problem  to  makers  of  subspecies.  But  whatever 
trouble  he  unwittingly  makes  in  the  ornithological  world,  he  is  the 
same  quiet,  gentle  bird,  sunning  himself  in  the  bushes,  running  over 
the  ground  when  attending  to  his  affairs  with  wings  close  at  his  sides 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  367 

and  tail  perked  up  ;  guarding  his  family  with  watchful  care,  and 
between  times,  as  at  all  times,  singing  his  glad  little  lay. 

581a.  M.  m.  fallax  (Baird).    DESERT  SONG  SPARROW. 

General  color  light  rufous ;  upper  parts  light  gray,  streaked  on  back  with 
rusty,  usually  without  blackish  shaft  streaks  ; 
streaks  on  chest  clear  rusty  or  rufous.  Young  : 
dull  brown  or  buffy  above,  back  streaked  with 
brown ;  buffy  white  below,  chest  streaked. 
Male:  length  (skins)  5.36-6.12,  wing  2.56-  Fig.  444. 

2.71,  tail  2.59-2.81,  bill  .44-.50.     Female :  length   (skins)  5.10-5.82,  wing 
2.47-2.62,  tail  2.39-2.78,  bill  .45-.4S. 

Remarks.  —  The  light  color  and  rusty  streaking  distinguish  this  from 
all  other  song  sparrows. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  southern  Nevada 
and  southeastern  California  to  Lower  California  and  Sonora,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  tufts  of  grass,  low  bushes,  or  on  the  ground.  Eggs  :  4,  light 
greenish  or  duU  bluish  white,  more  or  less  spotted  with  brown. 

581b.  M.  m.  montana   Hensh.       MOUNTAIN  SONG  SPARROW. 

Upper  parts  grayish  streaked  with  black  and  brown;  wings  and  tail 
brown ;  under  parts  white,  chest  and  sides 
streaked  with  brown,  streaks  more  or  less 
confluent  on  breast.  Male :  length  (skins) 
5.58-6.49,  wing  2.58-2.91,  tail  2.50-3.02,  bill 
.44-.5S.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.35-6.34,  Fig.  445. 

wing  2.46-2.75,  tail  2.46-2.86,  bill  .41-.50. 

Remarks.  —  Montana  is  like  melodia,  but  wings,  tail,  and  tarsus  average 
longer,  bill  smaller  and  relatively  more  slender ;  coloration  grayer  ;  the 
young  paler,  whitish  instead  of  buffy  below,  less  tawny  above  than  hi 
young  of  melodia. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  in  the  Rocky  Mountain  and 
Sierra  Nevada  region  of  the  United  States ;  migrates  to  western  Texas 
and  northern  Mexico. 

581c.  M.  m.  heermanni   Baird.     HEERMANN  SONG  SPARROW.1 

Ground  color  brown  or  olive,  streaked  both  above  and  below  with  blackish  ; 
spots  on  chest  distinct  instead  of  massed  in  a  pectoral  blotch.  Male  :  length 
(skins)  5.10-6.31,  wing  2.42-2.80,  tail  2.35-2.79,  bill  .4S-.53.  Female: 
length  (skins)  5.46-5.64,  wing  2.40-2.51,  tail  2.25-2.58,  bill  .48-.50. 

Remarks.  —  The  seasonal  changes  in  plumage  are  marked,  the  summer 
birds  being  much  more  sharply  and  narrowly  streaked  than  winter  ones. 
Heermanni  is  like  melodia,  but  smaller  and  browner,  streaks  on  back 
averaging  broader,  those  on  chest  darker  ;  young  like  that  of  melodia,  but 
deeper  tawny  above,  streaks  broader ;  under  parts  tinged  with  brownish 
buff,  chest  streaks  broader. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  in  central  valleys  of  Cali- 
fornia ;  migrates  southward  ;  casually  to  Nevada. 

i  Melospizafasciata  cooperi  Ridgw.    SAN  DIEGO  SONG  SPABBOW. 

Like  heermanni,  but  slightly  smaller  and  much  lighter  and  grayer. 

Distribution.-  Southern  coast  district  of  California  (north  to  Monterey  Bay,  east  to 
Fort  Tejon,  San  Bernardino,  etc.),  and  Pacific  coast  of  northern  Lower  California.  (The 
Auk,  xvi.  35.) 


358  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

5  8  Id.  M.  m.  samuelis  (Baird).    SAMUELS  SONG  SPARROW.1 

Like   heermanni,  but   smaller,  with   slenderer 
bil1-     Male  •'  length  (skins)  4.99-5.90,  wing-  2.21- 
-  - 


2-51>  tail  2.09-2.43,  bill  .43-.50. 

(»kins)  5.05-5.61,  wing  2.21-2,38,  tail  2.10-2.35, 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  coast  region  of  California  from  Santa  Cruz 
to  Humboldt  County. 


58  le.  M.  m.  morphna  (Oberh.)    RUSTY  SONG 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  rusty  olive,  the  rusty  brown  and  black  streaks 
obscured  ;  chest  widely  marked  with  heavy 
dark  rufous  streaks  ;  flanks  olivaceous  instead 
of  tawny.  Young  :  back  dark  brown  streaked 
with  blackish  ;  under  parts  whitish  or  buffy 
grayish  ;  chest  and  sides  buffy  or  brownish 

streaked  with  sooty  brown.  Male  :  length  (skins)  5.69-6.46,  wing  2.55- 
2.81,  tail  2.39-2.87,  bill  .47-.54.  Female  :  length  (skins)  5.58-6.19,  wing 
2.45-2.70,  tail  2.28-2.67,  bill  .45-.S2. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  zone  in  the  Pacific  coast  region  from 
southern  Alaska  to  Oregon  ;  migrates  to  southern  California. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Kobbe*,  on  horizontal  branch  of  a  small  spruce, 
about  5  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  coarse  grass  stems  lined  with  fine 
grass. 

The  rusty  song  sparrow  is  said  to  be  an  especially  water-loving 
subspecies,  being  found  in  swamps,  brush  patches  along  streams, 
and  coast  waters. 

681f.  M.  m.  rufina  (Bonap.).    SOOTY  SONG  SPARROW.S 

Like  morphna,  but  decidedly  larger  (except  bill),  darker,  and  more  uni- 
form sooty  rather  than  rusty  ;  back  obsoletely  streaked.  Male  :  length 
(skins)  5.85-6.85,  wing  2.63-3.02,  tail  2.60-2.90,  bill  .48-.50.  Female: 
length  (skins)  5.50-6.00,  wing  2.52-2.77,  tail  2.30-2.76,  bill  .42-.50. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  Alaska  ;  in  winter  to  coast  of  British  Colum- 
bia, Vancouver  Island,  and  Olympic  Mountains,  Washington  ;  accidental  in 
California. 

581k.  M.  m.  graminea  (Towns.).   SANTA  BARBARA  SONG  SPARROW. 
Similar  to  samuelis,  but  decidedly  grayish  above,  the  streaks  both  above 

1  Melospiza  fasdata  pusillula  Ridgw.    SALT  MARSH  SONG  SPARROW. 

Like  M.  m.  samuelis,  but  smaller,  especially  wings  and  tail  ;  less  rusty  above,  super- 
ciliary and  under  parts  tinged  with  yellowish. 

Distribution.  —  Salt  marshes  of  San  Francisco  Bay.     (The  Auk,  xvi.  35.) 
Melospiza  melodia  cleonensis  McGregor.    MENDOCINO  SONG  SPARROW. 
Size  of  samuelis,  but  lighter  and  more  rusty. 
Distribution.  —  Coast  of  Mendocino  County,  California.    (Butt.  Cooper  Orn.  Club, 

2  Melospiza  fasciata  ingersolli  McGregor.    TEHAMA  SONG  SPARROW. 
Similar  to  morphna,  but  darker  and  without  rusty  wash. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  Sacramento  Valley,  south  in  winter  to  San  Francisco  Bay. 
[Bull.  Cooper  Orn.  Club,  i.  35.) 

3  Melospiza  cinerea  phsea  Fisher.     OREGON  SONG  SPARROW. 

Almost  identical  with  rufina  in  color  and  markings,  but  between  cleonensis  and 
morphna  in  size. 

Distribution.  —  Immediate  vicinity  of  coast  from  Rogue  River  to  Yaquima,  Oregon. 
(The  Condor,  iv.  36.) 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  359 

and  below  blackish  and  narrower,  contrasting  more  sharply  with  the 
ground  color ;  about  the  size  of  samuelis,  but  with  shorter  tail  and  larger 
feet.  Young :  like  those  of  montana,  with  grayish  instead  of  brownish 
ground  color.  Male:  length  (skins)  5.18-5.4(5,  wing  2.29-2.41,  tail  2.11- 
2.31,  bill  .4T-.49.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.30-5.48,  wing  2.30-2.37,  tail 
2.19-2.31,  bill  .4G-.47. 

Distribution.  —  Santa  Barbara  Islands,  and,  in  winter,  adjacent  mainland 
of  California. 

5811.  M.  m.  clementse  (Towns.).    SAN  CLEMENTE  SONG  SPARROW. 

Similar  in  color  and  markings  to  graminea,  but  much  larger,  the  bill 
longer.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.70-6.18,  wing  2.45-2.60,  tail  2.35-2.64, 
bill  .4T-.49.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.44-5.81,  wing  2.40-2.50,  tail  2.39- 
2.50,  bill  .45-.50. 

Distribution.  —  San  Clemente,  San  Miguel,  and  Santa  Rosa  Islands,  Cali- 
fornia ;  and  Coronados  Islands,  Lower  California. 

581k.  M.  m.  merrilli  (Brewst.).    MERRILL  SONG  SPARROW. 

Similar  to  morphna,  but  with  smaller  bill  and  ground  color  of  upper 
parts  lighter  and  more  ashy ;  dark  markings  —  especially  on  back  — 
blacker  and  more  sharply  defined ;  the  white  of  under  parts  clearer  and 
more  extended.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.65-6.40,  wing  2.56-2.75,  tail  2.51- 
2.83,  bill  .45-.51.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.48-6.21,  wing  2.50-2.68,  tail 
2.40-2.76,  bill  .44-.50. 

Remarks.  —  Merrilli  is  like  montana,  but  slightly  darker  and  more  uni- 
form above,  the  gray  and  brown  of  interscapulars  less  strongly  contrasted. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Fort  Sherman,  Idaho,  south  through  Oregon 
and  Washington  east  of  Cascades  to  northern  California ;  migrates  to 
Nevada,  Utah,  Arizona,  and  northern  Sonora. 

583.  Melospiza  lincolnii  (Aud.).    LINCOLN  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  dark  brown  and  olive,  finely  and  sharply  streaked 
with  black ;  crown  with  light  median  stripe  ;  malar 
region,  chest,  and  sides  buffy  ;  sides  and  broad  buffy 
chest  band  narrowly  streaked  with  black.      Young: 
colors  more  suffused  and  streaks  less  sharply  de-  Fig.  448. 

fined.     Male:  length  (skins)  4.88-5.76,  wing  2.26- 

2.62,  tail  2.07-2.44,  bill  .41 -.47.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.54-5.43,  wing, 
2.15-2.45,  tail  2.01-2.34,  bill  .3S-.46. 

Distribution.  — Breeds  in  Boreal  zone  of  North  America  from  Fort 
Yukon  east  to  York  Factory,  Hudson  Bay,  and  south  to  the  higher  parts 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  Sierra  Nevada ;  winters  from  southern  United 
States  to  Panama. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  made  of  grass.  Eggs  :  as  described  by  Davie, 
light  greenish  white,  heavily  marked,  chiefly  around  larger  end,  with 
chestnut  and  lavender  gray. 

Food.  —  Mainly  insects  and  grass  and  weed  seed. 

The  Lincoln  sparrow  might  be  mistaken  for  a  song  sparrow  but  for 
his  buffy  chest  band,  finely  penciled  breast,  and  wholly  individual, 
vibrant  song. 

Willows  in  mountain  meadows  attract  him,  and  when  you  sur- 
prise him  on  a  willow  stalk  with  his  bill  full  of  insects  for  his  brood, 


360  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

he  will  cling  there  switching  his  tail  and  uttering  his  sharp  call -note 
till  you  leave. 

583a.   M.  1.  striata  Brewst.    FORBUSH  SPARROW. 

Similar  to  lincolnii,  but  superciliary  stripe  and  upper  parts  more  strongly 
olivaceous,  and  dark  streaks,  especially  on  back  and  upper  tail  coverts, 
coarser,  blacker,  and  more  numerous.  Wing :  2.35,  tail  2.23. 

Distribution.  —  British  Columbia  and  western  Washington ;  migrates  to 
California. 

584.  Melospiza  georgiana  (Lath.).    SWAMP  SPARROW. 

Adults. —  Crown  chestnut,  forehead  black  or  broadly  streaked  with  black 
and  divided  by  a  gray  or  buffy  median  line ;  rest  of  upper  parts  rusty 
brown,  back  broadly  streaked  with  black ;  tail  with  middle  feathers  with 
narrow  blackish  median  stripe ;  under  parts  gray,  darker  on  chest,  but 
unstreaked  or  very  indistinctly  streaked  ;  sides  and  flanks  brown.  Young  : 
upper  parts  heavily  streaked  and  under  parts  streaked  on  chest  and  sides. 
Male:  length  (skins)  5.11-5.79,  wing  2.30-2.58,  tail  2.18-2.51,  bill  .4S-.47. 
Female :  length  (skins)  4.80-5.54,  wing  2.27-2.45,  tail  2.06-2.41,  bill  .42-.47. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Hudson  Bay  south  to  the  northeastern 
United  States ;  west  to  the  Plains  ;  winters  from  Massachusetts  south  to 
the  Gulf  states  and  to  western  Texas. 

Nest.  — On  low,  wet,  grassy  land,  made  of  grasses  and  lined  with  leaves 
and  stems.  Eggs :  4  or  5,  pale  bluish  to  greenish  white,  spotted  with 
lilac  and  shades  of  yellowish  and  brown,  most  thickly  about  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Mainly  insects  and  seeds. 

GENUS    PASSERELLA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  moderate  or  swollen,  conical ;  feet  and  claws 
large,  side  claws  reaching  much  beyond  end  of  middle  toe ;  tarsus  about 
twice  as  long  as  bill,  stout. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Back  brown  or  marked  with  brown. 
2.  Back  streaked  or  spotted  with  brown.     Winters  from  Atlantic  to 

Rocky  Mountains iliaca,  p.  360. 

2'.  Back  plain  brown.     Alaska ;  in  winter  to  southern  California. 

unalaschcensis,1  p.  361. 
1'.  Back  gray. 
2.  Smaller,  with  more  slender  bill.     Rocky  Mountain  district. 

schistacea.  p.  362. 
2'.  Larger,  with  thicker  bill. 

3.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  .49.    Sierra  Nevada  and  Coast  Range,  Cali- 
fornia     .  megarhyncha,  p.  362 

3'.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  .56.     San  Bernardino  Mountains,  California. 

Stephens!,  p.  363. 

585.  Passerella  iliaca  (Merr.).    Fox  SPARROW. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  mixed  with  strongly  contrasting  slate  gray  and 
reddish  brown  in  varying  proportions  amounting  to  gray  and  brown 
phases  ;  brown  brightest  on  wings,  rump,  and  tail ;  wings  with  two  white 

1  Mr.  Ridgway  has  restricted  unalaschcensis  to  Alaska.  See  Birds  of  North  and  Mid- 
dle America,  i.  389. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  361 

bars ;  under  parts  white,  sides  of  throat  and  chest  spotted  and  blotched 
with  reddish  brown ;  flanks  streaked  with  rufous.  Young : 
similar,  but  colors  duller  and  marking's  less  sharply  de- 
fined. Male:  length  (skins)  5.94-6.80,  wing-  3.40-3.61,  tail 
2.64-2.91,  bill  .42-.51.  Female:  leng-th  (skins)  6.18-6.70, 
wing;  3.30-3.46,  tail  2.63-2.88,  bill  .42-.4S. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  North  America,  breeding  from 
Magdalen  Islands  to  Bering-  Sea ;  south  in  winter  to  Florida, 
middle  Texas,  and  eastern  base  of  Rocky  Mountains. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  or  in  bushes,  made  largely  of  moss 
and  leaves.  Eggs:  3  to  5,  bluish  green  spotted  with  red- 
dish brown. 

Food.  —  Insects,  a  large  proportion  of  ragweed  and  polygonum  seed,  and 
wild  fruit. 

585a.  P.  i.  unalaschcensis  (Gmel.).     TOWNSEND  SPARROW.! 

Upper  parts  reddish  brown,  more  or  less  mixed  with  slaty  gray,  becoming 
dark  brown   or  foxy  on  rump,  wings,  and 
tail ;  under   parts   white,   thickly   marked 
with  triangular  spots  of  dark  brown  converg-      ^^^"T 
ing  on  breast.     Male :  length  (skins)  6.50- 
6.70,  wing  3.28-3.39,  tail  2.88-2.98,  bill  .49-  Fig.  450. 

.50.     Female:  length  (skins)  6.20-6.68,  wing  3.14-3.19.  tail  2.71-2.80,  bill 
.50-.52. 

Remarks.  —  The  dark  reddish  brown  upper  parts,  converging  spots  on 
the  breast,  and  the  long  wings  distinguish  this  subspecies. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  Alaskan  peninsula  and  islands,  and  migrates 
to  southern  California ;  casually  to  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  Near  the  ground  in  dense,  thickets,  made  largely  of  moss  and 
leaves.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  pale  bluish  green,  or  greenish  gray,  speckled  and 
blotched  with  brown  and  lilac. 

The  members  of  the  genus  Passerella  are  large,  strongly  marked 
sparrows,  with  loud,  rather  rich  voices.  As  the  size  and  strength  of 
their  feet  show,  they  are  diggers.  A  bird  that  I  watched  in  Golden 

1  Mr.  Ridgway  has  restricted  unalaschcensis  to  Alaska  and  separated  from  it  the  form 
which  comes  to  northern  California  as  townsendi,  adding  several  new  subspecies  which 
winter  in  California. 

Passerella  iliaca  insularis  Ridgway. 

Like  unalaschcensis,  but  back  warm  sepia  brown,  spots  on  chest  large  and  deep  brown, 
under  tail  coverts  strongly  tinged  with  buff. 

Distribution.  —  Kadiak  Island  (and  Middleton  Island  ?),  Alaska,  in  summer ;  south  to 
California  in  winter.  (The  Auk,  xvii.  31.) 

Passerella  iliaca  annectens  Ridgway.     YAKUTAT  Fox  SPARROW. 

Similar  to  insularis,  but  smaller,  especially  the  bill,  and  coloration  slightly  browner. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  of  Alaska,  from  Cross  Sound  to  Prince  William  Sound  (to  Cook 
Inlet  ?),  south  in  winter  to  California.  (The  Auk,  xvii.  30.) 

Passerella  iliacn  meruloides  (Vigors). 

Like  insularis,  but  bill  smaller  and  coloration  throughout  darker. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Yakutat  Bay  district  (?)  and  winters  in  Santa  Cruz  district. 
(The  Condor,  iv.  45.)  Perhaps  a  synonym  of  annectens. 

Passerella  iliaca  townsendi  (Aud.).    TOWNSEND  SPARBOW. 

Like  annectens,  but  darker,  spots  on  chest  larger. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  of  southern  Alaska  ;  in  winter  to  northern  California. 

Passerella  iliaca  fuliginosa  Ridgway.    SOOTY  Fox  SPARROW. 

Like  townsendi,  but  darker  and  less  rufescent,  spots  on  under  parts  larger  and  more 
confluent  than  in  other  forms. 

Distribution.  ^-  Breeds  in  coast  district  of  southwestern  British  Columbia  and  north- 
western Washington ;  south  in  winter  to  coast  of  northern  California.  (The  Auk,  xvi.  36.) 


362  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

Gate  Park,  San  Francisco,  one  day  gave  a  good  exhibition  of  their 
methods.  He  took  a  little  run  forward  and  then  kicked  back  with 
both  feet,  and  if  there  were  any  diminutive  hillocks  back  of  him, 
leveled  them,  sending  a  shower  of  sand  up  behind  him.  Sometimes 
he  used  his  bill  to  push  a  bit  of  earth  aside.  After  working  in  this 
way  with  artisan-like  regularity  for  some  time,  he  hopped  up  on  a 
plant  label  and  sat  there  with  his  long  toes  over  the  edge  looking  up 
with  winning  friendliness. 

The  fox  sparrows  were  to  be  found  through  the  winter  not  only  in 
Golden  Gate  Park,  but  also  in  the  small  parks  and  cemeteries  of  the 
city,  with  the  white-crowned  and  golden-crowned  sparrows.  But 
though  with  the  others,  PassereMa  was  not  of  them,  and  while  the 
crowned  sparrows  were  in  goodly  flocks  he  shoveled  alone  or  possi- 
bly with  a  few  comrades.  When  chased  by  a  white-crown  he 
gathered  his  feathers  trimly  about  him  and  ran  meekly  back  into  the 
bushes.  He  was  evidently  not  as  used  to  city  life  as  they,  for  when 
he  came  out  in  view  it  was  with  his  red  tail  perked  up,  his  wings 
close  at  his  sides,  and  a  conscious  air  of  appearing  in  public,  and  at 
the  least  alarm  he  would  scud  back  to  cover  in  nervous  haste. 

When  at  home  the  thick-billed  sparrows  live  in  dense  laurel  or 
evergreen  thickets,  Major  Bendire  says,  but  the  slate-colored  prefers 
the  more  open  country,  living  in  rose  and  willow  thickets  along 
streams  near  foothills. 

In  the  Sierra  Nevada  one  of  the  loudest  and  richest  of  the  finch 
songs  that  brighten  the  Transition  zone  forest  can  be  traced  to  the 
thick-billed,  perched  on  top  of  a  bush,  his  big  bill  and  mixed  reddish 
brown  and  gray  plumage  distinguishing  him.  His  song  is  not  of  the 
high  grade  of  the  white-crown,  but  is  particularly  pleasing  on  ac- 
count of  its  loud,  cheery  quality.  His  call-note  is  a  sharp  chip. 

585b.  P.  i.  megarhyncha  (Baird).    THICK-BILLED  SPARROW. 

Upper  parts  plain  slaty  or  brownish  gray,  becoming  rusty  on  wings,  upper 
tail  coverts,  and  tail ;  under  parts  with  chest  spots  smaller,  more  scattered ; 
tail  longer  than  wing,  bill  thick.  Male :  length  (skins)  6.60- 
7.20,  wing  3.12-3.42,  tail  3.02-3.42,  bill  .4S-.54,  depth  of  bill 
at  base  .49-52.  Female :  length  (skins)  6.50-7.56,  wing  2.97- 
3.37,  tail  3.02-3.49,  bill  .45-.53,  depth  of  bill  at  base  .48-.50. 

Remarks.  —  The  gray  back  and  the  thick  bill  distinguish 
Fig.  451.       megarhyncha  from  unalaschcensis,  and  its  larger  size  and  thicker 
bill  from  schistacea  ;  while  its  smaller  bill  distinguishes  it  from  stephensi. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  in  the  Sierra  Nevada,  both 
slopes ;  migrates  to  Los  Angeles  County,  California. 

Nest.  —  In  evergreens  and  thickets,  usually  on  or  near  the  ground,  made 
of  plant  fibers  and  willow  bark,  lined  with  grasses  and  horsehair.  Eggs : 
3  or  4,  markings  tending  to  run  longitudinally. 

585c.  P.  i.  schistacea  (Baird).     SLATE-COLORED  SPARROW. 

Like  megarhyncha,  but  smaller  body  and  bill.      Male:  length  (skins) 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  363 

6.23-7.16,  wing  3.08-3.43,  tail  2.88-3.43,  bill  .44-.50.    Female:   length 
(skins)  6.02-6.58,  wing  3.02-3.21,  bill  45-.50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  in  the  Rocky 
Mountain  region  of  British  Columbia  and  the  United  States ; 
from  Colorado  to  California ;  wanders  in  winter  to  Kansas, 
Arizona,  Nevada,  and  California.  Fig.  452. 

Nest.  —  Usually  less  than  3  feet  from  the  ground,  bulky    Slate-colored 
and  well  made  of  plant  fibers,  willow  bark,  and  grass,  lined       Sparrow, 
with  horsehair.    Eggs  :  usually  4,  green  or  olive  buff,  marked  with  purple 
and  browns. 

585 d.  P.  i.  Stephens!  Anthony.    STEPHENS  SPARROW. 

Like  megarhyncha,  but  averaging  larger,  with  much  larger 
bill.  Male:  length  (skins)  6.61-7.34,  wing  3.30-3.37,  tail 
3.17-3.58,  bill  .59-. 65.  Female:  length  (skins)  6.61-6.92, 
wing  3.13-3.30,  tail  3.10-3.41,  bill  .52-59. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  of  southern  California. 
Fig.  453. 

GENUS    ARREMONOPS. 

586.  Arremonops  ruflvirgatus  (Lawr.).    TEXAS  SPARROW. 

Tail  shorter  than  wing ;  wing  short  and  much  rounded.  Adults :  upper 
parts  plain  olive  green,  wings  and  tail  brighter ;  top  of  head  with  wide 
olive  median  stripe  bordered  by  dark  brown  or  blackish  brown  stripes ; 
superciliary  grayish  ;  lores  and  stripe  back  of  eye  brown ;  edge  of  wing 
bright  yellow  ;  under  parts  dull  whitish,  chest,  sides,  and  flanks  tinged 
with  pale  buffy.  Young :  dull  brownish  ;  head  without  distinct  stripes ; 
wings  and  tail  with  greenish  edgings ;  belly  buffy  or  fulvous.  Male :  length 
(skins)  5.30-6.00,  wing  2.45-2.65,  tail  2.45-2.75,  bill  .4S-.55.  Female :  length 
(skins)  5.50-5.85,  wing  2.32-2.45,  tail  2.23-2.50,  bill  .47-52. 

Distribution.  —  Valley  of  the  Lower  Rio  Grande,  in  Texas,  and  eastern 
Mexico  ;  casually  to  Louisiana. 

Nest.  —  In  open  thickets,  made  of  dried  weed  stems,  bark,  grasses,  and 
leaves,  sometimes  lined  with  hair.  Eggs :  4,  dull  white. 

GENUS    PIPILO. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  moderate  ;  wings  short,  greatly  rounded  ; 
primaries  exceeding  secondaries  usually  by  much  less  than  bill ;  tail  long, 
rounded ;  feet  large  and  strong,  claws  stout,  and  much  curved. 

KEY   TO    ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Upper  parts  light  grayish  brown 

Fig.  454. 

2.  Lores  and  chin  blackish aberti,  p.  368. 

2'.  Lores  and  chin  not  blackish. 

3.  Crown  rufous,  throat  buffy mesoleucus,  p.  366. 

3'.  Crown  not  rufous,  throat  rufous. 
4.  Smaller.  Southern  California  senicula,  p.  367. 
4'.  Larger crissalis,  p.  367. 


V   Upper  parts  black. 

T 

Fig.  455. 


364  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

2.  Scapulars  and  wing  coverts  almost  always  wholly  black.     Eastern. 

erythrophthalmus,  p.  364, 
2'.  Scapulars  and  wing  coverts  marked  with  white. 

3.  White  markings  inconspicuous oregonus,  p.  365. 

3'.  White  markings  conspicuous. 

4.  White  on  outer  tail  feathers  covering  more  than  exposed  half 

(beyond  coverts) arcticus,  p.  364. 

4'.  White  on  outer  tail  feathers  not  covering  more  than  exposed  half. 
5.  White  on  outer  tail  feather  covering  more  than  an  inch. 

6.  Darker;  bill  and  feet  relatively  smaller.     Rocky  Mountains 

to  Pacific megalonyx,  p.  365. 

6'.  Lighter  colored ;  bill  and  feet  relatively  larger.     San  Cle- 
mente  Island,  California      ....   clementae,  p.  366. 
5'.  White  on  outer  tail  feather  reduced  to  less  than  an  inch. 

atratus,  p.  366. 

587.  Pipilo  erythrophthalmus  (Linn.).    TOWHEE:  CHEWINK. 
Adult  nlale.  —  Black,  except  for  white  belly,  brown  sides,  and  white 

patch  on  primaries,  white  edgings  to  tertials,  and  white 
corners  to  tail ;  iris  bright  red.  Adult  female  :  sim- 
ilar, but  black  replaced  by  brown.  Young :  similar 
to  adults  of  same  sexes,  but  streaked,  and  without 
dark  chest  patch.  Male:  length  (skins)  7.36-8.10, 
wing  3.29-3.72,  tail  3.48-3.91,  bill  .53-.5S.  Female: 
length  (skins)  6.80-7.52,  wing  3.00-3.30,  tail  3.17- 
3.52,  bill  .51-.58  ;  white  on  end  of  outer  tail  feather 
Fig.  456.  1.30-1.60. 

Remarks.  —  The  absence  of  white  on  the  scapular  and  wing  coverts  dis- 
tinguishes the  eastern  towhee  from  the  western  forms. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southern  Canada  to  the  Lower  Mississippi 
Valley,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  western  parts  of  Dakota  and  Ne- 
braska ;  winters  from  the  middle  districts  southward. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground  or  occasionally  in  low  bushes,  bulky,  made  of 
leaves,  twigs,  and  vines,  and  lined  with  grass  stems  and  rootlets.  Eggs : 
usually  4,  white,  pinkish  white,  or  brownish,  thickly  speckled  with  reddish 
brown. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  seeds. 

588.  Pipilo  maculatus  arcticus  (Swains.).    ARCTIC  TOWHEE. 
Adult  male.  —  Head,  neck,  and  chest  black ;  back  black,  more  or  less 

mixed  with  olive  gray  ;  belly  white  ; 
flanks  reddish  brown ;  wings  and 
tail  with  extensive  white  markings ; 
wing  bars  and  white  edgings  of 

primaries  sometimes  forming  a  con- 

spicuous  patch,  and  scapulars  heav- 
ily streaked  with  white  ;  white  on 
outer  tail  feather  covering  more  than  half  exposed  portion  beyond  coverts 
(1.30-1.70).  Adult  female:  Black,  replaced  by  dull  olive  brown;  back 
streaked  with  black ;  throat  and  chest  grayish  brown  ;  white  markings 
obscured.  Young :  streaked  with  black  over  brownish  ground  above,  buffy 
below  ;  lighter  in  female  ;  markings  of  wings  and  tail  as  in  adult,  more  or 
less  restricted  on  wings.  Male  :  length  (skins)  6.90-8.34,  wing  3.33-3.59, 
tail  3.58-4.10,  bill  .47-.S5.  Female :  length  (skins)  7.19-8.30,  wing  3.10- 
3.58,  tail  3.40-4.10,  bill  .48-. 55. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  365 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  on  the 
Plains  and  eastern  foothills  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  from  the  Saskatche- 
wan south  to  southern  Colorado,  and  from  the  Missouri  west  to  western 
Montana ;  winters  south  to  Texas  and  west  to  Washington ;  casually  to 
Iowa  and  Wisconsin. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  made  at  times  of  pine  needles  and  lined  with 
grass. 

The  towhees  of  the  maculatus  group  are  shy  birds  of  the  chap- 
arral, and  when  caught  singing  on  top  of  a  bush,  where  you  can 
study  the  amount  of  white  mixed  with  the  black  and  brown  of 
their  plumage,  they  are  liable  to  stop  short  in  their  song  and  pitch 
down  to  the  ground  with  only  an  aggravating  flash  of  the  white 
tail  corners.  And  though  you  wait  patiently,  all  the  reward  you 
are  likely  to  get  is  a  nasal  whank  or  a  mewing  tow-liee  as  they  rattle 
the  dead  leaves,  scratching  for  worms  under  the  dense  cover  of 
brush. 

Both  their  call-notes  and  songs  have  a  quaint  twang  that  give 
them  peculiar  zest.  One  of  the  commonest  songs  in  general  time 
and  emphasis  may  be  given  as  yang' ',  kit-er-er. 

588a.  P.  m.  megalonyx  (Baird.).    SPURRED  TOWHEE. 

Like   arcticus,  but  with   tail,  tarsus,  and  hind  claw  longer,  bill  larger, 
and  coloration  darker ;  upper  parts 
black,   except   for   grayish   rump ; 
white  markings  much  restricted,  and 
rufous  of  sides  deeper ;  middle  of 

back  and  tertials  usually  without  j>ig  453. 

white  ;  white  edgings  of  primaries 
not  developed  into  a  patch,  and  white  space  on  outer  tail  feather  not 
occupying  more  than  half  of  space  beyond  coverts  (1.10-1.35  long).  Adult 
female:  darker  than  female  arcticus,  streaks  on  back  less  conspicuous, 
white  tail  patch  smaller.  Young :  similar  to  young  of  arcticus,  but  darker. 
Male :  length  (skins)  7.12-8.30,  wing  3.29-3.65,  tail  3.55-4.39,  bill  .48- 
.58.  Female :  length  (skins)  7.12-8.09,  wing  3.13-3.48,  tail  3.42-4.16,  bill 
.49-.S9. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from  the 
Rocky  Mountains  to  California  and  from  British  Columbia  south  to  Lower 
California  and  northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground  or  in  a  bush,  made  variously  of  inner  bark, 
leaves,  and  small  sticks,  lined  with  grass.  Eggs  :  4  or  5,  pale  greenish  or 
bluish,  finely  specked  with  brown  and  lavender,  massed  around  larger  end. 

588b.  P.  m.  oregonus  (Bell).    OREGON  TOWHEE. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  mainly  black,  white  markings  inconspicuous  ; 
streaks  on  back  mainly  obsolete  or 
concealed ;  wing   bars   reduced  to 
disconnected    round    white    spots, 
white  of  outer  tail  feather  reduced 

to  '  thumb  mark,'  less  than  an  inch  Fj 

in  length,  outer  web  mainly  black  ; 
rufous  of  sides  very  dark.     Adult  female :  black  replaced  by  dark  sooty 


366  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

brown  or  sooty  black,  indistinctly  streaked  with  black ;  rufous  of  sides 
deep.  Young :  Darker  and  more  uniform  than  young  megalonyx ;  throat 
and  chest  sooty,  not  streaked.  Male  ;  length  (skins)  7.08-8.18,  wing  3.22- 
8.47,  tail  3.42-3.87,  bill  .S4-.59.  Female :  length  (skins)  6.95-8.00,  wing 
3.03-3.38,  tail  3.31-3.85,  bill  .52-.5S. 

Bemarks.  —  In  the  Oregon  towhee  the  general  size  and  hind  claw  are 
much  smaller  than  in  the  spurred,  while  the  absence  of  white  markings 
makes  a  good  field  character. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  humid  Transition  zone  from  British  Columbia 
to  San  Francisco ;  winters  south  to  southern  California. 

588c.  P.  m.  clementSB  (Grinn.).     SAN  CLEMENTE  TOWHEE. 

Adult  male.  —  Like  megalonyx,  but  bill  and  feet  relatively  larger  and 
coloration  grayer ;  upper  parts  sooty,  washed  with  olive  gray ;  rump 
lighter,  upper  tail  coverts  finely  barred  with  dusky.  Adult  female  :  head 
and  neck  dull  dark  brown  ;  .wings  and  tail  darker ;  rump  gray,  feathers 
with  dark  centers  and  light  edgings.  Male:  length  (skins)  7.44-8.10, 
wing  3.14-3.56,  tail 3.48-4.06,  bill  .55-.60.  Female:  length  (skins)  7.02- 
8.30,  wing  3.06-3.24,  tail  3.45-3.76,  bill  .54-.5S. 

Distribution.  —  San  Clemente  Island,  southern  California. 

588d.  P.  m.  atratus  Eidgw.    SAN  DIEGO  TOWHEE. 

Adult  male.  —  Deep  glossy  black ;  wings  and  scapulars  heavily  marked 
with  white  ;  outer  tail  feathers  with  white  thumb  marks.  Adult  female  : 
upper  parts  clove  brown  ;  throat  and  chest  clove  brown  or  sooty  black. 

Bemarks,  —  The  San  Diego  towhee  is  like  the  spurred,  but  decidedly 
darker,  and  with  white  markings  more  restricted. 

Distribution.  —  From  coast  district  of  southern  California  south  to  Lower 
California. 

591.  Pipilo  fuscus  mesoleucus  (Baird).    CANYON  TOWHEE. 

Adults.  —  Top  of  head  light  rufous ;  rest  of  upper  parts  and  sides  plain 
dull  grayish  brown  ;  throat  buffy,  finely  spotted,  obsolete  chest  patch 
formed  by  large  spots;  middle  of  belly  whitish,  hinder  part  of  belly, 
flanks,  and  lower  tail  coverts  yellowish  brown.  Young :  upper  parts  dull 
grayish  brown,  indistinctly  streaked  with  darker;  wing  coverts  largely 
edged  and  tipped  with  pale  rufous ;  lower  parts  dull  white,  changing  to 
brownish  on  under  tail  coverts,  largely  streaked  with  dusky.  Male :  length 
(skins)  7.64-8.77,  wing  3.49-3.94,  tail  3.77-4.23,  bill  .56-.66.  Female: 
length  (skins)  7.75-8.72,  wing  3.39-3.92,  tail  3.71-4.31,  bill  .S7-.64. 

Distribution.  —  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  western  Texas  to 
Arizona,  and  from  eastern  Colorado  south  to  Sonora  and  Chihuahua. 

Nest.  —  In  mesquite  trees  rarely  over  8  feet  from  the  ground,  sometimes 
in  thick  bunches  of  cholla  cactus  and  between  the  leaves  of  yuccas,  deep, 
bulky,  and  loosely  made  of  coarse  grasses  lined  with  rootlets  and  horsehair. 
Eggs  :  usually  3,  bluish  white  or  pearl  gray,  spotted  and  scrawled  with 
brown  and  sometimes  black,  and  with  purple  shell  markings. 

The  fuscus  group  of  towhees,  while  chaparral  birds  of  the  same 
general  habits  as  the  maculatus  group,  seem  more  like  big  fluffy 
brown  sparrows  than  che winks. 

The  canyon  towhee,  when  sitting  on  a  bush,  shows  his  rufous 
under  tail  coverts  and  raises  his  crown  so  that  the  color  shows  there. 
He  has  a  loud  metallic  chip,  a  call  of  four  loud  repetitions  of  the 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  367 

same  note,  and  in  flight  the  robin-like  screep' -eep-eep  of  his  group. 
In  the  mountains,  the  canyon  towhees  are  found  among  rocks  and 
along  ledges  of  canyons.  At  Mineral  Park,  Arizona,  Mr.  Bailey 
found  them  abundant  in  February.  They  were  noisy  and  so  tame 
that  they  would  come  into  camp  to  feed  on  scattered  crumbs  and 
grain.  In  New  Mexico  outside  of  the  mountains,  Mr.  Batchelder 
found  them  about  Mexican  villages  and  irrigated  fields. 

591b.  P.  f.  crissalis  (Vig.).    CALIFORNIA  TOWHEE. 

Adults.  —  Entire  upper  parts  plain  dull  grayish  brown,  slightly  deeper  on 
head  ;  throat  light  rufous,  usually  marked  with  dusky  ; 
middle  of  belly  whitish  or  dull  buffy,  sides  grayish 
brown  ;  under  tail  coverts  reddish  brown.  Young :  like 
adults,  but  browner,  wing  bars  and  edgings  pale  brown- 
ish ;  under  parts  dull  buffy,  deepening  to  tawny  on 
throat  and  belly,  and  grayish  brown  along  sides ;  ante- 
rior lower  parts  streaked.  Male:  length  (skins)  8.35- 
9.50,  wing  3.75-4.08,  tail  4.22-4.55,  bill  .S6-.65.  Female :  Fi&-  46°- 

length  (skins)  8.24-8.60,  wing  3.57-3.88,  tail  4.14-4.38,  bill  .56-63. 

Remarks.  —  Crissalis  is  like  mesoleucus,  but  larger  and  darker. 

Distribution.  —  California,  west  of  Sierra  Nevada,  north  to  Mendocino 
and  Shasta  counties,  south  to  Santa  Barbara  and  Kern  counties,  and  north- 
ern part  of  San  Bernardino  County. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  trees,  usually  2  to  6  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of 
inner  bark,  twigs,  and  weed  stems,  lined  with  plant  stems  and  sometimes 
horsehair  and  wool.  Eggs :  4  or  5,  pale  blue,  spotted  with  purplish  brown. 

The  California  members  of  the  fuscus  group  have  a  thin  chip 
which  gives  them  the  name  of  brown  chippies,  the  robin-like  call  of 
mesoleucus,  and  a  song  which,  though  a  trifle  squeaky  for  such  a 
large  bird  when  heard  too  close  at  hand,  has  a  quiet,  contented  qual- 
ity that  matches  the  bird's  disposition  and  is  very  pleasing.  When 
given  in  concert  in  the  canyons  at  dusk  the  song  is  said  to  be 
most  effective.  Though  shy  and  wary  about  his  nesting  grounds, 
when  his  family  cares  are  over  the  brown  chippie  comes  to  the  door- 
yard  and  stays  there  more  familiarly  than  the  Brewer  blackbird. 
Although  he  also  makes  himself  at  home  on  city  lawns  and  in  parks, 
he  is  especially  fond  of  barnyards  and  hay  lofts,  where  he  can 
scratch  in  the  straw  and  pick  up  seeds  to  his  heart's  content.  When 
he  flies  his  short  wings  and  long  tail  give  him  a  bobbing,  awkward 
motion,  but  when  sitting  about  the  dooryard  his  plump,  fluffy  figure 
affords  him  a  most  comfortable  domestic  look. 

59 1C.  P.  f.  senicula  Anthony.  SAN  FERNANDO  TOWHEE:  ANTHONY 
TOWHEE. 

Like  crissalisj  but  smaller,  upper  parts  darker,  and  lower  parts  grayer. 
Male :  length  (skins)  8.05-8.12,  wing  3.48-3.97,  tail  3.95-4.42,  bill  .56-.62, 
Female:  Wing  3.38-3.56,  tail  3.93-4.02,  bill  .57-.60. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  California  south  to  Lower  California. 


368  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

592.  Pipilo  aberti  Baird.    ABERT  TOWHBE. 

Adults.  —  Lores  and  chin  blackish ;  upper  parts  plain  grayish  brown, 
darkest  on  head ;  quills  edged  with  grayish  ;  lower  parts  pinkish  brown, 
lighter  on  belly,  and  deepening  to  tawny  on  under  tail  coverts.  Young  : 
paler  and  duller,  breast  indistinctly  streaked.  Male :  length  (skins)  8.22- 
9.14,  wing  3.54-3.81,  tail  4.17-4.72,  bill  .59-.64.  Female:  length  (skins) 
7.97-8.68,  wing  3.36-3.62,  tail  3.97-4.31,  bill  .S9-.62. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  upper  and  lower  Sonoran  zones  from  Colorado 
to  southeastern  California,  Arizona,  and  New  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Rarely  more  than  5  feet  from  the  ground,  in  willow  thickets, 
canebrake,  low  bushes,  or  mesquite  ;  bulky,  loosely  made  of  weed  stalks, 
inner  bark,  grass,  and  sticks,  sometimes  lined  with  inner  bark  or  horse- 
hair. Eggs:  2  to  4,  pale  blue,  sparsely  marked  with  dark  brown  and 
black. 

The  cinnamon  colored  aberti  is  the  largest  of  the  plain  towhees. 
It  is  said  to  be  extremely  shy.  Major  Bendire  gives  its  alarm  note 
as  liuit  huit.  At  Phoenix  it  is  common  among  the  mesquites  and  cot- 
ton woods. 

GENUS    OREOSPIZA. 

592.1.  Oreospiza  chlorura  (Aud.}.    GREEN-TAILED  TOWHEE. 
Bill  small,  conical ;  wing  rather  long  and  pointed  ;  tail  long,  rounded  ; 
tarsus  long,  nearly  a  third  the  length  of  wing ;  hind  claw 
longer  than  its  toe.     (Structurally  intermediate  between 
Zonotrichia  and  Pipilo.)     Adult  male.'  top  of  head  bright 
rufous;  throat  white;  upper  parts  olive  gray,  becoming 
bright  olive  green  on  wings  and  tail;  malar  stripe  and 
#  :$lji  middle  of  belly  white  ;  edge  of  wing,  under  wing  coverts, 

and  axillars  bright  yellow.  Adult  female :  usually  slightly 
Fig.  461.  duller.      Young :   olive  grayish,   streaked   with   dusky  ; 

lower  parts  dingy  white,  chest  and  sides  streaked  with  dusky ;  wings  and 
tail  like  adults,  but  wing  bars  brownish  buffy.  Mule:  length  (skins)  6.21- 
7.05,  wing  3.01-3.28,  tail  3.14-3.43,  bill  .48-.51.  Female:  length  (skins) 
6.52-7.10,  wing  2.80-3.10,  tall  2.93-3.33,  bill  .45-.51. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  in  the  interior  plateau  region 
from  the  western  edge  of  the  Plains  to  Coast  Range  in  California,  and  north 
to  Montana  ;  migrates  to  southern  Lower  California  and  central  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground  in  sagebrush,  chaparral,  or  cactus,  made 
of  grass  and  stems  lined  sometimes  with  horsehair.  Eggs:  4,  whitish, 
speckled,  or  sprinkled  with  reddish  brown. 

The  name  Oreospiza  calls  to  mind  one  of  the  most  attractive  and 
gentle  of  birds,  with  the  memory  of  warm  days  when  the  smell  of 
the  aromatic  mint  and  Ceanothus  filled  the  air.  The  green-tail  fol- 
lows the  Transition  zone  chaparral  from  the  zonal  level,  where  a 
dense  brush  thicket  covers  wide  areas,  and  where  he  is  one  of  a 
number  of  brush  birds,  up  to  the  extreme  limit  of  the  chaparral,  where 
there  are  only  scattered  patches  of  dwarf  brush  on  high  rock  slides, 
and  where  he  is  the  one  brush  bird,  conspicuous  among  the  boreal 
solitaires  and  nutcrackers. 

His  mewing  call-note,  a  soft  mew,  mew-ah-eep,  seems  his  most 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  369 

chewink-like  character  and  proclaims  his  presence,  as  does  his  song 
when  the  ear  has  caught  the  difference  between  it  and  that  of  the 
Passerella.  Though  phrased  somewhat  like  the  song  of  the  maculatus 
group,  it  is  wholly  different  in  quality  and  rendering,  being  more 
of  the  bright  finch  type  with  the  Chondestes-Iike  burr  heard  in  so 
many  finch  songs,  and  its  two  emphasized  notes  standing  out  in  a 
medley  of  short  notes. 

His  familiar  voice  is  often  heard  from  a  wall  of  chaparral,  but 
he  may  generally  be  found  perched  on  top  of  a  bush,  and  at  sight  of 
you  will  raise  his  rufous  cap  inquiringly,  turning  to  look  down  so 
that  his  white  chin  shows  to  good  advantage.  When  seen  hopping 
over  the  ground  he  is  as  trim  and  alert  as  a  song  sparrow,  looking 
about  and  flashing  his  green  tail  till  he  disappears  to  scratch  in  the 
brush.  When  surprised  on  the  ground  he  will  often  run  rather  than 
take  wing.  One  that  Mr.  Bailey  found  on  its  nest  at  7900  feet  on 
Donner  Peak,  California,  ran  silently  for  five  or  six  rods  through  the 
brush,  and  then  stopped,  to  tempt  him  away  from  its  brood. 

GENUS    CARDINALIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  with  conspicuous  crest ;  bill  stout,  conical, 
much  deeper  than  broad  at  base  ;  wing  short,  much  rounded,  primaries 
exceeding  secondaries  by  less  than  length  of  exposed  culmen  ;  tail  longer 
than  wing. 

KEY   TO  ADULT  MALES. 

1.  Feathers  all  around  base  of  bill  black. 

2.  Black  frontlet  wider.    Eastern  United  States    .  cardinalis,  p.  369. 

2'.  Black  frontlet  narrower.     Texas  to  Mexico  .     canicaudus,  p.  370. 

1'.  Feathers  around  base  of  bill  not  black  across  forehead.     Arizona  to 

Mexico superbus,  p.  370. 

593.  Cardinalis  cardinalis  (Linn.).    CARDINAL. 

Adult  male.  —  Crest,  head,  and  lower  parts  bright  red,  feathers  around 
base  of  bill  black ;  back  dull  red,  feathers  tipped  with  olive  gray,  wearing 
away  in  midsummer.  Adult  female :  wings  and  tail  dull 
red ;  crest  partly  red ;  upper  parts  olive  grayish  ;  under 
parts  grayish  buffy ;  chest  often  tinged  with  red  ;  feathers 
around  base  of  bill  and  upper  parts  of  throat  dull  grayish ; 
under  wing  coverts  pinkish  red.  Young  :  like  adult  female, 
but  duller,  the  bill  blackisb.  Male:  length  (skins)  7.40- 
8.40,  wing  3.60-3.93,  tail  3.78-4.35,  bill  .71-.80.  Female: 
length  (skins)  7.40-8.15,  wing  3.48-3.78,  tail  3.70-4.22,  bill 
.65-.80. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  eastern  United  States  from  the  Gulf  north 
regularly  to  about  latitude  41° ;  casually  northward  to  Ontario ;  west  to 
edge  of  great  Plains,  rarely  in  western  Kansas  and  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  A  rather  frail  structure  of  sticks  or  fine  rootlets,  leaves,  grasses, 
or  strips  of  bark,  sometimes  covered  with  gray  moss;  placed  in  bushes, 
brambles,  grapevines,  or  low  trees.  Eggs :  2  to  4,  white,  irregularly  spotted 
with  purple  and  reddisb  brown. 

Food.  —  Insects,  berries,  seeds,  and  grain. 


370  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

The  cardinals  are  the  most  striking  of  chaparral  birds  where  they 
occur.  Seen  against  a  background  of  dingy  brush  their  red  plumage 
fairly  glows  in  the  sun  till  you  are  led  to  marvel  at  its  brilliancy. 

Then  how  their  loud  whistle  pierces  the  air  !  How  exquisitely 
rounded  comes  their  cue-cue,  and  with  what  force  follows  the  rapid 
h  ip -ip-ip-ip-ip-ip-ip. 

593a.  C.  C.  superbus  Ridgw.    ARIZONA  CARDINAL. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head  and  long-  crest  brilliant  red ;  lores  and 
chin  black,  black  of  lores  not  connected  across  forehead  unless  by  narrow 
black  line  ;  rest  of  under  parts  brilliant  red  ;  back  dull  red  washed  with 
gray  ;  wings  and  tail  dark  red  ;  bill  very  heavy.  Adult  female:  crest,  wings, 
and  tail  partly  red ;  under  parts  dark  buffy,  chest  tinged  with  red ;  lores 
and  chin  gray ;  forehead  dull  yellowish  mixed  with  red  ;  back  dull  gray ; 
under  wing  coverts  bright  rose.  Young :  similar  to  adult  female,  but  colors 
duller  ;  bill  blackish.  Male:  length  (skins)  8.40-9.00,  wing  3.92-4.11,  tail 
4.67-5.00,  bill  .80-.89.  Female :  length  (skins)  7.85-8.30,  wing  3.79-4.00, 
tail  4.48-4.75,  bill  .82. 

Remarks.  —  Superbus  differs  from  cardinalis  in  larger  size,  relatively 
shorter  bill,  pale  red  of  male,  and  broken  ring  around  bill. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  south  to  Sonora,  Mexico. 

The  Arizona,  like  the  eastern  cardinals,  are  birds  of  the  thickets 
and  brush  patches,  making  themselves  known  by  brilliant  flashes  of 
color  and  their  rollicking,  spirited  song.  At  Phoenix  they  build  in 
the  thickets  just  out  of  town,  and,  though  shy  birds,  seem  not  to 
object  to  civilization.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

593c.  C.  C.  canicaudus  Chapm.    GRAY-TAILED  CARDINAL. 

Male  similar  to  cardinalis,  but  with  less  conspicuous  black  frontlet; 
female  averaging  grayer  than  female  of  cardinalis,  and  with  the  tail  feath- 
ers broadly  margined  with  gray  instead  of  olive  brown.  Male:  length 
(skins)  7.60-8.60,  wing  3.48-3.80,  tail  3.85-4.38,  bill  .71-.82.  Female: 
length  (skins)  7.00-8.20,  wing  3.22-3.67,  tail  3.58-4.12,  bill  .70-.80. 

Distribution.  —  From  Texas  south  to  Central  Mexico. 

GENUS   PYRRHULOXIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  with  conspicuous  crest ;  bill  very  short, 
thick,  and  deep,  culmen  convex;  wing  short,  much  rounded;  tail  long, 
rounded. 

KEY    TO   ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Ring  around  bill  conspicuously  marked  with  black     .    texana,  p.  371. 
1'.  Ring  around  bill  rose  red sinuata,  p.  370. 

594.  Pyrrhuloxia  sinuata  Bonap.    ARIZONA  PYRRHULOXIA. 

Bill  short  and  parrot-like,  yellow  or  orange  in  summer,  duller  in  winter. 
Adult  male, :  ring  around  bill,  throat,  breast  patch,  thighs,  and  under  side 
of  wing  light  rose  red ;  lateral  under  parts  ligbt  gray  ;  tip  of  crest  darker 
red  ;  ring  around  bill  with  only  faint  trace  of  black ;  upper  parts  light  gray 
tinged  with  brown  ;  wings  and  tail  blackish  and  dark  red.  Adult  female  : 
like  male,  but  red  of  face  and  under  parts  wanting  or  only  suggested ; 
under  parts  buffy  brown.  Young  male:  like  adult  female,  but  paler, 


TEXAS  PYRRHULOXIA 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  371 

buff  y  below  and  on  wing  bands ;  median  under  parts  and  face  more  or  less 
tinged  with  red.  Young  female :  like  young  male,  but  without  red.  Male : 
length  (skins)  7.45-8.41,  wing  3.52-3.88,  tail  3.72-4.25.  bill  .S9-.63.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  6.90-7.94,  wing  3.46-3.67,  tail  3.69-3.82,  bill  .5S-.62. 

Distribution.  —  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  southern  Arizona  to  western 
Texas  and  northwestern  Mexico. 

Nest  and  eggs  similar  to  those  of  the  cardinals,  but  eggs  averaging 
smaller. 

Though  not  so  brilliant  as  the  Cardinalis  group,  the  Pyrrhuloxias 
when  among  their  native  mesquites  seem  even  more  beautiful.  The 
rose-colored  vest  that  lights  up  their  soft  gray  plumage  gives  an 
exquisite  delicacy  and  freshness  that  adds  charm  to  their  individual- 
ity and  sprightliness.  Their  expression  changes  astonishingly  with 
the  movement  of  their  crest  When  it  is  flattened  the  short  curved 
bill  and  round  head  suggest  a  bored  parrot  in  a  cage,  but  when  the 
crest  is  raised  to  its  full  height  and  thrown  forward,  the  beautiful 
bird  is  the  picture  of  alert  interest  and  vivacity. 

The  call-note  of  the  Pyrrhuloxias,  instead  of  a  single  chip,  is  made 
up  of  several  flat,  thin  notes.  Their  whistle,  though  of  similar  char- 
acter to  the  cardinals',  instead  of  being  a  scooped  cue  note  is  a  clear 
straight  whistle. 

A  pair  whose  nest  we  stumbled  on  in  the  mesquite  showed  their 
mutual  solicitude  in  such  a  charming  manner,  the  male  bursting  into 
song  to  draw  our  attention  from  his  mate  and  nest,  that  it  seemed  as 
if  rare  pleasure  lay  in  store  for  the  bird  student  with  leisure  to  study 
their  attractive  ways. 

594a.  P.  S.  texana  Eidgw.    TEXAS  PYRBHULOXIA. 

Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  sinuata,  but  bill  much  heavier  and  coloration 
darker  ;  ring  round  bill  conspicuously  marked  with  black  ;  upper  parts  dark 
gray.  Adult  female :  similar  to  female  sinuata,  but  under  parts  grayish  on 
front  and  sides.  Male :  length  (skins)  7.54-8.10,  wing  3.48-3.88,  tail  3.68- 
4.21,  bill  .60-.67.  Female :  length  (skins)  7.10-8.10,  wing  3.39-3.79,  tail 
3.30-4.26,  bill  .60-.65. 

Distribution.  —  Lower  Sonoran  zone  in  northeastern  Mexico  and  southern 
Texas,  north  tq  Nueces,  Bee,  Bexar,  Kendall,  and  Tom  Green  counties. 

Nest.  —  In  mesquite  and  other  thorny  bushes,  small  and  compact,  made 
of  inner  bark,  grasses,  and  twigs,  lined  with  a  few  rootlets.  Eggs :  3,  spotted 
with  brown  and  lavender  massed  at  the  larger  end. 

GENUS    ZAMELODIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  heavy,  short,  conical,  much  deeper  than  broad 
at  base  ;  nostrils  exposed ;  wing  pointed ;  tail  even  or  slightly  rounded ; 
tarsus  about  as  long  as  middle  toe  with  claw. 

KEY  tO   ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Under  parts  brown  and  yellow melanocephala,  p.  372. 

1'rUnder  parts  white  and  rose  pink ludoviciana,  p.  372. 


372 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 


From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 
Fig.  463. 


595.  Zamelodia  ludoviciana  (Linn.).     ROSE-BREASTED  GROS- 

BEAK. 

Adult  male  in  breeding  plumage.  —  Head  and  upper  parts  black,  except 
for  white  rump  and  white  markings  on  wings  and  tail ;  under  parts  white, 

except  for  rose  red  patches  on 
breast  and  under  wings.  Adult 
female :  dusky  brown,  streaked  ; 
head  with  whitish  median  stripe 
and  superciliary ;  under  parts 
grayish  or  buffy  brown,  streaked 
on  breast  and  sides  ;  under  wing 
coverts  yellow.  Adult  male  in 
winter  plumage :  wings,  tail,  and 
upper  tail  coverts  as  in  sum- 
mer ;  upper  parts  reddish  brown  ; 
head  with  buffy  median  crown 
stripe,  superciliary,  and  malar 
stripes ;  back  streaked  with 
black  ;  under  parts  brownish, 
more  or  less  streaked,  and  with 
pale  rose  on  breast  and  under 
wings.  Young  male  in  first  winter: 
like  adult  winter  male,  but  wings,  rump,  upper  tail  coverts,  and  tail  brown- 
ish, tail  without  white  ;  wings  with  white  markings  reduced  and  tinged  with 
brown ;  chest,  sides,  and  flanks  deeper  brown  and  more  heavily  streaked  ; 
chest  with  little  if  any  pink ;  under  wing  coverts  rose  pink  as  in  adult. 
Male:  length  (skins)  6.50-7.20,  wing  3.85-4.10,  tail  2.87-3.08,  bill  .S9-.69. 
Female:  length  (skins)  6.75-7.00,  wing  3.75-3.98,  tail  2.75-2.95,  bill  .61-.70. 
Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from 
Canada  south  to  Kansas,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  Colorado  ;  winters  in  Cuba, 
Central  America,  and  northern  South  America ;  accidental  in  California. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  low  trees,  saucer  shaped,  made  largely  of  wiry 
rootlets.  Eggs :  2  to  4,  bluish  or  greenish  spotted  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Potato  bugs  and  other  insects,  with  seeds,  and  buds  and  blossoms 
of  forest  trees. 

While  the  female  rose-breasted  grosbeak  is  brown  and  streaked 
like  the  female  black -headed,  the  male  is  a  rare  beauty,  the  clear 
black,  white,  and  rose  of  his  plumage  being  handsomer  than  the 
black  and  brown  of  melanocephala.  His  song  lacks  the  exquisite 
finish  of  the  westerner's,  but  is  loud  and  musical  and  sung  with  a 
joyous  swing.  His  thiueek,  like  that  of  the  black-headed,  announces 
him,  whether  he  be  in  an  apple-tree  or  hidden  in  a  thicket  by  a  river. 

596.  Zamelodia  melanocephala   (Swains.).     BLACK-HEADED 

GROSBEAK. 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  cinnamon  brown  brightening 
to  lemon  yellow  on  belly  and  under  wing  coverts ;  upper 
parts  mainly  black,  with  cinnamon  brown  collar  and 
rump,  and  sometimes  brown  stripes  back  of  eye,  through 
middle  of  crown,  and  on  back ;  win^s  and  tail  black, 
wings  with  two  white  bars  and  white  patch  at  base  of 
quills,  tail  with  white  corners.  Winter  male:  lighter 


Fig.  464. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  373 

brown  on  upper  parts.  Adult  female :  upper  parts  blackish  brown, 
streaked  with  pale  brownish  or  buff y  ;  collar  buffy  white ;  wing  bar  white  ; 
tinder  parts  dull  buffy,  yellowish  on  belly,  flanks,  and  sometimes  breast ; 
sides  streaked ;  under  wing1  coverts  lemon  yellow.  Winter  female  :  with 
buffy  or  brown  stronger ;  lateral  crown  stripe  streaked  with  black.  Young  : 
much  like  adult  female,  but  under  parts  paler,  without  yellow  on  belly ; 
back  spotted ;  crown  stripes  uniform  blackish  brown.  Male :  length 
(skins)  6.60-7.70,  wing  3.72-4.30,  tail  2.79-3.38,  bill  .60-.80.  Female: 
length  (skins)  6.15-7.80,  wing  3.72-4. 12,  tail  2.70-3.40,  bill  .61-.78. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  of  the 
western  United  States,  from  eastern  Nebraska  to  California,  and  from 
British  Columbia  to  northern v  Lower  California  and  southern  part  of 
Mexican  plateau. 

Nest .  —  Usually  in  chaparral,  made  loosely  of  sticks  and  weeds.  Eggs : 
3  or  4,  pale  bluish  white,  thickly  spotted  with  brown. 

Food.  —  Similar  to  that  of  the  rose-breasted  grosbeak. 

When  you  hear  the  call-note  of  the  black-headed  grosbeak  for  the 
first  time,  you  naturally  hunt  through  the  greenery  for  a  small 
bird,  for  the  note  is  a  peculiarly  insignificant  eek,  and  when  you  dis- 
cover the  goodly  sized  bird  with  strongly  marked  black  and  golden 
brown  coat  and  great  bill,  his  small  voice  seems  much  out  of  char- 
acter. You  marvel  at  it  still  more  when  you  hear  his  wonderful 
song.  At  its  best,  given  from  a  poplar  or  live-oak  top  in  the  leisure 
of  a  sunny  afternoon,  it  is  one  of  the  most  varied,  exquisitely  finished, 
and  musical  of  bird  songs.  It  has  the  swinging  rhythm  and  clear- 
ness characteristic  of  grosbeak  songs,  but  is  smooth  and  rounded, 
and  its  highest  notes  are  dwelt  on  and  trolled  over  with  rare  tender- 
ness, repeated  not  as  a  thrasher's  notes  are  repeated,  but  with  the 
enjoyment  of  an  artist  consciously  perfecting  his  work.  In  Arizona 
Mr.  Henshaw  has  heard  the  birds  give  sunset  concerts  from  the  tops 
of  the  tallest  pines. 

The  nature  of  the  grosbeak  is  not  belied  by  his  song,  for  like 
others  of  the  family  he  has  a  gentle  spirit.  His  devotion  to  the  nest 
is  shown  by  his  habit  of  brooding  in  the  absence  of  his  mate. 

GENUS    GUIRACA. 

597a.  Guiraca  cserulea  lazula  (Less.).    WESTERN  BLUE  GROS- 
BEAK. 

Bill  large,  conical,  compressed  ;  nostrils  exposed  ;  wing  longer  than  tail  ; 
tarsus  about  as  long  as  middle  toe  with  claw.  Adult  male  in  summer : 
plain  bright  blue  ;  wing  with  two  brownish  bands,  that  across  tips  of 
greater  coverts  usually  .20-. 30  wide,  and  decidedly  paler  than  the  anterior 
band ;  under  tail  coverts  with  white  borders.  Adult  male  in  winter :  blue 
of  body  more  or  less  obscured  by  brownish  or  buffy  tips  to  feathers.  Fe- 
male and  young :  grayish  brown,  usually  more  or  less  tinged  with  blue. 
Immature  males :  plumage  of  adult  male  and  female  mixed  in  various  pro- 
portions, according  to  age.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.90-7.00,  wing  3.40  - 
3.80,  tail  2.62-3.10,  bill  .55-70.  Female:  length  (skins)  5.60-6.50,  wing 
3.02-3.48,  tail  2.41-2.80,  bill  .55-.6S. 


374  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  eastern 
Texas  to  southern  California;  north  to  northern  Colorado  and  central 
valleys  of  California  to  about  40° ;  migrates  to  southern  Mexico  and  south 
to  Costa  Rica. 

Nest.  —  A  compact,  cup-shaped  structure,  composed  largely  of  dried 
grasses  and  plant  fibers,  placed  in  bushes  and  tall  weeds.  Eggs  :  3  or  4, 
plain  pale  greenish  blue  or  bluish  white. 

Food.  —  Insects,  seeds,  buds,  and  berries. 

The  blue  grosbeak  is  less  arboreal  than  its  relatives,  being  found 
mainly  in  brush,  often  along  streams  in  foothill  canyons.  Its  song, 
Mr.  Henshaw  says,  while  suggesting  the  songs  of  other  grosbeaks  and 
possessing  much  sweetness,  "lacks  the  full  rich  mellowness  of  tone 
and  variety  of  modulation"  of  its  relatives. 

GENUS    CYANOSPIZA. 

s         General  Characters.  —  Bill   small,   under  mandible  conspicu- 

Q  ously  deeper  than  upper ;  wing  pointed  ;  tarsus  about  equal  to 

1  middle  toe  with  claw ;  side  claws  not  reaching  to  base  of  mid- 

2  die  claw. 
Fig.  465. 

KEY  TO  ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Under  parts  partly  or  wholly  red. 

2.  Back  yellowish  green ciris,  p.  376. 

2'.  Back  purplish  red versicolor,  p.  375. 

1'.  Under  parts  not  red. 

2.  Upper  parts  light  blue amceiia,  p.  375. 

2'.  Upper  parts  dark  purplish  or  greenish  blue   .     .     .    cyanea,  p.  374. 

598.  Cyanospiza  cyanea  (Linn.).    INDIGO  BUNTING. 

Adult  male.  —  Head,  throat,  and  sometimes  median  under  parts  purplish 
blue  ;  rest  of  body  cerulean  blue  changing  to  bluish  green  in  some  lights ; 
lores,  wings,  and  tail  black  or  dusky,  tinged  with  blue.  Adult  female  : 
upper  parts  olive  brown  ;  wings  and  tail  faintly  tinged  with  blue  ;  under 
parts  dull  whitish  washed  with  buffy,  faintly  streaked  on  chest.  Imma- 
ture males :  variously  intermediate  in  coloration  between  fully  adult  males 
and  females.  Young :  similar  to  adult  female,  but  browner,  obsoletely 
streaked.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.59-5.21,  wing  2.58-2.81,  tail  1.91-2.13, 
bill  .40-.44.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.46-5.23,  wing  2.47-2.62,  tail  1.86- 
1.92,  bill  .39-.43. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  chiefly  in  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  ot 
the  northeastern  United  States,  but  extends  west  to  Colorado,  and  from 
southern  Canada  to  the  Gulf  ;  migrates  to  Central  America. 

Nest.  —  In  low  bushes,  made  of  leaves,  plant  fibers,  and  grasses,  lined 
with  grass  stems  and  horsehair.  Eggs :  usually  4,  white,  with  faint  bluish 
tinge. 

Food.  —  Largely  insects  and  seeds. 

The  indigo  bunting,  the  eastern  representative  of  the  genus,  has 
been  found  in  Colorado  and  western  Texas,  but  comes  west  regu- 
larly only  as  far  as  eastern  Kansas.  In  habits  it  is  the  counterpart 
of  the  lazuli  bunting. 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  375 

599.  Cyanospiza  amoBna  (Say).    LAZULI  BUNTING. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  bright  turquoise  blue,  changing  to  greenish 
blue,  darker  and  duller  on  middle  of  back ;  wings  with  two  white  bars ; 
breast  and  sometimes  sides  brownish;  belly  white.  Adult  female:  upper 
parts  grayish  brown,  tinged  with  blue  on  rump  ;  back  sometimes  streaked ; 
wing  bars  dingy ;  anterior  lower  parts  pale  buffy,  deeper  on  chest,  fading 
to  white  on  belly  and  lower  tail  coverts.  Young :  like  female,  but  with- 
out blue  tinge  on  rump,  and  chest  and  sides  usually  streaked.  Male: 
length  (skins)  5.01-5.54,  wing  2.78-3.C1,  tail  2.07-2.27,  bill  .39-41.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  4.91-5.88,  wing  2.59-2.8:5,  tail  2.00-2.31,  bill  .36-.41. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  of  the 
western  United  States  from  Kansas  to  California ;  and  from  British 
Columbia  to  Arizona  and  Texas;  migrates  to  Lower  California  and  the 
Valley  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Usually  near  water  in  weeds,  willows,  manzanitas,  and  other 
bushes.  Eggs  :  3  or  4,  plain  bluish  white,  or  pale  greenish  blue. 

.The  natural  home  of  the  blue-coated,  brown-breasted  lazuli  is  in 
the  chaparral  of  warm  valleys  like  those  of  southern  California  or  in 
village  shrubbery  in  climates  like  that  of  the  Salt  Lake  plain,  but  like 
the  green-tailed  towhee  it  follows  the  chaparral  to  the  higher  levels, 
and  though  nominally  a  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zone  bird,  is 
sometimes  found  in  willows  of  the  Canadian  zone.  In  the  Sierra 
above  Donner  the  middle  of  July  we  found  it  as  high  as  7900  feet, 
singing  gayly  in  a  patch  of  willows  in  a  tiny  mountain  meadow 
surrounded  by  firs  and  overhung  by  snowbanks ;  and  one  of  the 
hardy  little  fellows  has  even  been  reported  from  Fremont  Pass. 

The  song  of  the  lazuli  is  of  the  bright,  musical  finch  type,  and  like 
that  of  Oreospiza  and  Chondestes  has  a  marked  burr.  The  call-note 
is  an  emphatic  quit'  or  sometimes  chack. 

Though  less  demonstrative  than  the  house  finch,  the  lazuli  some- 
times spreads  his  blue  feathers  before  his  mate  in  pretty  gallantry  ; 
and  as  a  parent,  though  not  boldly  aggressive,  he  is  watchful  and 
devoted,  singing  on  his  way  to  the  nest  even  with  a  bill  full  of 
insects. 

600.  Cyanospiza  versicolor  (Bonap.).    VARIED  BUNTING. 

Upper  mandible  curved.  Adult  male  in  summer :  forehead  and  rump 
bright  bluish  purple,  or  purplish  blue  ;  back  of  neck  bright  red,  changing 
to  purplish  red  on  middle  of  back  ;  under  parts  plum  red  fading  to  plum 
purple  on  belly.  Adult  female  in  summer:  upper  parts  brownish,  tinged 
with  olive  and  sometimes  with  bluish,  becoming  dull  bluish  on  rump ; 
wings  and  tail  with  gray  or  blue  edgings ;  under  parts  dull  whitish  and 
brown.  Adult  male  in  winter :  color  of  crown,  back,  and  scapulars  partly 
obscured  by  grayish  brown  tips  to  feathers ;  under  parts  with  buffy  tips. 
Adult  female  in  winter :  browner.  Young :  brown  ;  wing  with  buffy 
bands ;  under  parts  whitish  medially,  brown  on  chest  and  sides.  Male : 
length  (skins)  4.55-5.46,  wing  2.49-2.80,  tail  1.97-2.26,  bill  .37-.44.  Fe- 
male :  length  (skins)  4.44-5.38,  wing  2.39-2.55,  tail  1.93-2,10,  bill  .37-.41. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  and  the  valley  of  the  Lower 
Rio  Grande  in  Texas  south  to  Lower  California  and  Guatemala. 


376  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

601.  Cyanospiza  ciris  (Linn.).    PAINTED  BUNTING:  NONPAREIL. 
Adult  male.  —  Entire  under  parts  bright  red  ;  head  and  back  of  neck  pur- 
plish blue,  in  sharp  contrast  to  yellowish  green  of  back  and  scapulars ;  rump 
and  tail  dull  red  ;  wings  green  and  reddish.     Adult  female :  upper  parts, 
including  tail,  plain  olive  green ;  under  parts  dull  greenish  yellow,  brighter 
on  belly.     Young :  grayish  brown,  tinged  in  places  with  greenish  ;  wings 
with  buffy  bands ;  under  parts  dull  buffy.     Male  :  length  (skins)  5.00- 
5.60,  wing  2.72-2.91,  tail  2.06-2.24,  bill  .40-.44.     Female:  length  (skins) 
4.70-5.47,  wing  2.51-2.80,  tail  1.90-2.18,  bill  .40-.42. 

Remarks.  —  Individuals  are  sometimes  found  having  yellow  feathers. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  south  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States  west  to 
southern  Arizona  and  north  to  southern  Kansas ;  winters  south  to  Panama. 

Nest.  —  In  hackberry,  cat-claw,  or  chaparral,  made  of  grasses  and 
sometimes  leaves,  lined  with  finer  grasses  and  hairs.  Eggs  :  4  or  5,  creamy 
to  bluish  white,  spotted  with  purple  and  reddish  brown. 

When  we  were  working  on  the  Pecos  River,  in  southern  New 
Mexico,  the  loud  bright  song  of  the  nonpareil  was  heard  at  camp  all 
through  the  middle  of  the  hottest  days,  and  from  the  mesa  we  could 
look  down  on  the  chaparral  by  the  river  and  see  sometimes  the  red 
breast  and  sometimes  the  green  sheen  on  the  back  of  the  cheery  song- 
ster. His  song,  though  short,  has  a  clear,  carrying  quality,  and  is 
very  pleasing. 

On  the  mesquite  prairie  of  southern  Texas  the  nonpareils  were 
common,  and  we  often  heard  their  song  and  caught  glimpses  of 
them  as  we  drove  along. 

The  courtship  of  the  male  is  said  to  be  very  entertaining.  To 
attract  the  attention  of  the  female  he  hops  to  the  ground,  spreads 
his  wings  and  tail,  and  struts  around  with  all  his  colors  flying.  It  is 
said  that  he  takes  little  part  in  domestic  matters,  but  this  may  be 
due  to  his  dangerously  striking  plumage. 

GENUS   SPOBOPHILA. 

602.  Sporophila  morelleti  sharpei  Lawr.     SHABPE  SEED- 

EATEK.1 

Bill  short  and  greatly  swollen ;  upper  mandible  convex  above,  concave 
below ;  wings  short  and  rounded  ;  tail  shorter  than  wings,  slightly  rounded  ; 
tarsus  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw.  Adult  male  :  upper  parts  and  chest 
band  black  ;  sides  of  neck,  under  parts  and  markings  on  wings,  and  rump 
white.  Adult  female :  upper  parts  olive  brown  with  two  buffy  wing 
bands  ;  under  parts  buffy  brown.  Immature  males :  intermediate  between 
adult  male  and  female.  Immature  females :  lighter,  tinged  with  olive. 
Male:  length  (skins)  3.68-4.42,  wing  1.88-2.15,  tail  1.58-1.86,  bill  .32- 
.36.  Female:  length  (skins)  3.72-4.28,  wing  1.89-2.02,  tail  1.52-1.78,  bill 
.32-.3S. 

Distribution.  —  Southeastern  Texas  and  adjacent  parts  of  Mexico. 

At  Lomita,  Mr.  Sennett  found  the  little  seed -eater  frequenting 
low  bushes  and  weeds. 

1  Mr.  Ridgway  recognizes  only  one  form  of  Sporophila  morelleti.  (Birds  of  North 
and  Middle  America,  575.) 


LARK  BUNTING 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.  377 

GENUS    SPIZA. 

604.  Spiza  americana  (GmeL).    DICKCISSEL. 

Bill  stout,  conical,  compressed ;  wing  long-  and  pointed  ;  tarsus  longer 
than  middle  toe  with  claw.  Adult  wale :  under  parts  whit- 
ish, with  variable  black  throat  patch  and  yellow  breast, 
yellow  sometimes  deepening  to  salmon  in  the  breeding 
season ;  wing  with  deep  rufous  patch ;  forehead,  lores, 
superciliary,  and  malar  stripe  washed  with  yellow ;  head 
and  neck  gray,  top  of  head  usually  olivaceous ;  back 
brownish,  streaked  with  black.  Adult  female :  similar, 
but  duller,  yellow  more  restricted,  often  wanting,  except 
on  breast ;  throat  white,  bordered  by  dusky  streaks  ;  the  black  of  the 
male  usually  wanting.  Young  in  Jirst  winter :  like  adult  female,  but 
everywhere  tinged  with  dull  buffy  or  clay  color.  Male :  length  (skins) 
5.55-6.31,  wing  3.11-3.38,  tail  2.17-2.42,  bill  .58-.61.  Female:  length 
(skins)  5.50-5.74,  wing  2.94-3.05,  tail  1.97-2.17,  bill  .50-.56. 

Distribution,  —  Breeds  chiefly  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  of  the  central 
eastern  United  States  from  the  Alleghanies  to  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
Colorado,  and  Wyoming ;  and  from  Ontario  south  to  Texas ;  casually 
southwest  to  Arizona  and  Lower  California ;  migrates  to  northern  South 
America. 

Nest.  —  Largely  of  dried  grasses,  built  near  the  ground  in  bushes  or 
low  weeds,  on  meadows  or  prairies.  Eggs  :  3  to  5,  plain  pale  blue. 

Food.  —  Largely  grasshoppers  and  crickets ;  also  grain  and  weed  seed. 

When  in  southern  Texas  during  the  spring  migration  we  met  with 
flocks  of  dickcissels  on  their  way  to  the  north.  In  places  on  the 
open  prairie  two  or  three  hundred  would  be  sitting  in  rows  on  the 
wire  fences  like  swallows  on  telegraph  wires.  They  could  be  re- 
cognized at  a  distance  by  their  outlines  —  round  heads  and  straight 
hanging  tails.  When  not  in  compact  flocks  they  were  scattered 
through  the  chapparal  singing  on  the  tops  of  the  bushes.  Their  song 
had  a  mouthed,  furry  quality,  but  was  none  the  less  sunny  and  enjoy- 
able. When  they  are  on  their  breeding  grounds  their  song  is  one  of 
the  pleasantest  features  of  the  big  grain  fields. 

GENUS    CALAMOSPIZA. 

605.  Calamospiza  melanocorys  Stejn.    LARK  BUNTING. 

Bill  conical,  much  deeper  than  broad  at  base,  gently  convex  at  tip  and 
base,  nearly  straight  in  middle  ;  wing  about  four  times  as  long  as  tarsus, 
its  tip  almost  truncated ;  tail  about  three  fourths  as  long  as  wing,  much 
more  than  basal  half  overlaid  by  upper  coverts ;  slightly  double-rounded 
or  nearly  even,  feathers  rather  narrow.  Adult  male  in  summer:  whole  bird 
black  or  slaty  except  for  white  patch  on  wings  and  sometimes  white  marks 
on  tail  feathers.  Adult  female  in  summer:  above  grayish  brown,  streaked 
with  blackish ;  wing  patch  restricted  and  tinged  with  buffy  ;  tail  except 
middle  feathers  spotted  with  white ;  under  parts  white,  streaked  on  breast 
and  sides.  Adult  male  in  winter :  similar  to  female,  but  wings  and  tail 
blackish  instead  of  brown,  and  feathers  of  lower  parts  black  beneath  the 
surface  and  showing  through  more  or  less ;  chin  black.  Adult  female  in 
winter:  like  summer  female,  but  less  grayish  and  more  buffy.  Young: 


378         .  FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

similar  to  adult  female,  but  more  buffy,  feathers  of  lower  parts  bordered 
with  buffy  white,  streaks  on  lower  parts  narrower.  Male :  length  (skins) 
6.10-7.25,  wing  8.35-3.62,  tail  2.58-2.80,  bill  .52-.5S.  Female:  length 
(skins)  5.70-6.50,  wing  3.22-3.35,  tail  2.38-2.70,  bill  .50-.52. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  of  the 
high  plains  from  Assiniboia  south  to  Colorado  ajid  Kansas ;  migrates 
through  New  Mexico,  Arizona,  and  southern  and  Lower  California  to 
plateau  of  Mexico ;  occasional  west  of  Rocky  Mountains,  and  accidental 
in  Atlantic  states  in  migration. 

Nest.  —  Sunk  in  ground,  sometimes  under  a  bunch  of  weeds,  made  of 
grass  and  fine  roots.  Eggs :  4  or  5,  plain  pale  blue. 

The  striking  black  and  white  of  the  lark  bunting  probably  ac- 
counts for  its  shyness.  While  in  southern  Texas  we  could  almost 
drive  alongside  of  a  flock  of  dull-colored  dickcissels  sitting  on  the 
roadside  fence,  but  a  flock  of  the  northbound  whitewings  would  fly 
in  instant  alarm  on  our  approach.  They  fed  on  the  ground  among 
the  prairie  flowers,  but  it  was  hard  to  get  near  enough  to  observe 
their  habits,  for  at  the  least  unguarded  motion  or  footfall  they 
would  arise  simultaneously  and  dash  into  the  brush.  When  not 
disturbed  they  scattered  through  the  chaparral,  and,  as  a  man  aptly 
observed,  were  always  sitting  around  as  if  they  had  nothing  to  do. 

A  flock  of  forty  or  fifty  in  April  showed  great  variety  of  plumage, 
for  many  of  the  males  were  only  in  process  of  donning  their  black 
summer  plumage.  The  young  males  showed  the  white  on  their 
wings  when  sitting  and  on  their  tails  in  flight,  but  the  dull  gray 
females  showed  the  white  wing  patch  only  when  flying. 

On  the  prairies,  where  there  were  neither  bushes  nor  fences  to 
perch  on,  the  buntings,  and  doves  also,  sat  on  the  oval  slabs  of  the 
tuni  cactus,  and  it  was  amusing  to  see  the  whitewings  sidle  gingerly 
along  the  spiny  edges. 

The  buntings  sang  in  chorus,  and  sometimes  we  would  catch  a 
delightful  wave  of  song  from  them  as  we  drove  along.  On  their 
breeding  grounds  they  are  said  to  have  a  '  rich  and  varied  flight 
song.' 

Having  met  the  birds  on  their  way  north  in  Texas  one  year, 
the  following  year  we  were  overtaken  by  them  in  New  Mexico  on 
their  way  south.  During  the  last  of  July  the  flocks  were  mixed 
black  and  brown,  but  from  the  last  of  August  they  were  mainly 
brown.  In  the  Guadalupe  Mountains  bands  passed  our  camp  every 
day,  with  their  soft  hoo-ee,  a  peculiarly  sweet  note  given  with  a 
cheery,  rising  inflection. 


TANAGERS  379 

FAMILY  TANAGRHXS!:   TANAGERS. 
GENUS    PIBANGA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  straight,  stout,  conoidal ;  nostrils  exposed  ; 
rictal  bristles  well  developed;  wing  of  nine  primaries  lengthened  and 
pointed  ;  tail  shorter  than  wings,  emarginate ;  tarsus  not  longer  than  mid- 
dle toe,  scaled. 

KEY   TO   ADULT   MALES  IN   SPRING. 

1.  Upper  mandible  with  a  tooth-like  projection  on  cutting 
edge. 

2.  Plumage  marked  with  black.  Fig'  467' 

3.  Plumage  scarlet  and  black erythromelas,  p.  380. 

3'.  Plumage  red,  black,  and  yellow      ....  ludoviciana,  p.  379. 

2'.  Plumage  not  marked   with   black  ;    red,   with    grayish   back  and 
brownish  ear  coverts hepatica,  p.  381. 


1'.  Upper  mandible  without  tooth-like  projection. 

Fig.  468. 

2.  Under  parts  vermilion  or  poppy  red rubra,  p.  382. 

2'.  Under  parts  rose  pink cooperi,  p.  382. 

607.  Piranga  ludoviciana  (Wils.).  LOUISIANA  TANAGER:  WEST- 
ERN TANAGER. 

Upper  mandible  with  a  tooth-like  projection  on  cutting  edge.  Adult 
male  in  summer :  head  and  neck  bright  orange  or  red  ;  rest  of  under 
parts  bright  yellow ;  upper  parts  black,  with  yellow  rump  and  wing 
patches.  Adult  female  in  summer:  upper  parts  olive  green,  back  and 
scapulars  grayish ;  wing  bars  dull  yellowish ;  under  parts  pale  grayish 
yellow,  becoming  sulphur  yellow  on  under  tail  coverts ;  anterior  part  of 
head  sometimes  tinged  with  red.  Adult  male  in  winter :  like  summer 
female,  but  with  head  yellow  or  slightly  tinged  with  red,  more  or  less 
obscured  on  occiput  and  hind  neck  with  olive  green  or  dusky  tips  to 
feathers ;  feathers  of  back  usually  more  or  less  distinctly  edged  with  yel- 
lowish olive  ;  tertials  broadly  tipped  with  white  or  pale  yellow  ;  tail  feath- 
ers more  or  less  tipped  with  white.  Young  male  in  first  autumn  :  like  adult 
female,  but  clearer  yellow  below  and  rump  yellower.  Young  female  in 
first  autumn :  like  adult  female,  but  duller ;  upper  parts  more  brownish 
olive,  under  parts  washed  with  brownish  olive  ;  wing  bars  narrower,  and 
buff  y.  Young  male,  first  plumage  :  upper  parts  olive  green  ;  wings  black- 
ish, with  yellow  wing  bars ;  tail  with  outer  webs  of  feathers  edged  with 
olive  green ;  throat  and  chest  grayish,  chest  tinged  with  yellow  and 
streaked  ;  chin  and  under  tail  coverts  yellow  ;  rest  of  under  parts  white. 
Male:  length  (skins)  6.20-6.95,  wing  3.71-3.83,  tail  2.64-2.98,  bill  .57-.62. 
Female :  length  (skins)  6.30-6.90,  wing  3.54-3.88,  tail  2.68-2.89,  bill  .53- 
.63. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and  Transition  zones  in  mountains 
from  British  Columbia  to  Arizona,  and  from  northwestern  Nebraska  to 
California ;  straggles  eastward  in  migration  to  the  Atlantic  states ;  win- 
ters south  to  Guatemala. 


380  TANAGERS 

Nest.  —  Usually  on  the  horizontal  branch  of  a  fir,  pine,  or  oak,  15  to  30 
feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  twigs,  sometimes  with  mosses  and  coarse 
grass,  lined  with  rootlets  and  horsehair.  Eggs:  8  or  4,  pale  bluish 
green,  lightly  spotted  with  browns  and  purples. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  western  tanager  breeds  abundantly  in  the  high  mountain 
forests,  being  common  at  10,000  feet  in  Colorado.  In  the  forests  of 
British  Columbia  on  their  first  arrival  the  males  have  been  found 
singing  at  daybreak  from  the  tops  of  the  tallest  trees,  sometimes 
300  feet  from  the  ground.  In  the  Sierra  Nevada  they  are  common 
from  an  altitude  of  3000  feet  to  the  summit,  and  in  the  heavily  tim- 
bered parts,  though  a  flash  of  red  and  yellow  between  the  treetops 
is  often  the  most  you  get,  their  calls  and  songs  are  among  the  com- 
monest bird  notes  heard. 

Their  song  has  the  rough-jointed,  swinging  rhythm  characteris- 
tic of  the  tanagers,  but  there  are  also  a  chattering  call  which  sug- 
gests the  scold  of  an  oriole,  rendered  as  pitic,  pitictic,  and  a  plaintive 
tu-weep',  which  is  particularly  noticeable  when  the  birds  are  going 
about  with  their  young.  At  that  time  the  tanagers  descend  to  the 
lower  levels.  I  have  seen  them  on  the  scrub  oak  and  sagebrush  of 
the  Wasatch  foothills  in  cottonwood  hedges,  and  even  along  barbed 
wire  roadside  fences,  making  sallies  to  the  ground  for  insects.  On 
San  Francisco  Mountain  they  come  to  the  springs  for  water,  and  I 
have  seen  one  drinking  from  a  pan  in  a  ranch  dooryard. 

The  tanagers  must  eat  a  large  variety  of  insects,  for  they  are  not 
only  expert  fly-catchers  and  glean  from  the  treetops,  but  are  also 
especially  fond  of  caterpillars,  judging  by  the  numbers  we  have 
seen  probing  tent-caterpillars'  nests. 

608.  Piranga  erythromelas  Vieill    SCARLET  TANAGER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Brilliant  scarlet ;  wings  and  tail 
deep  black  ; ,  under  wing  coverts  white.  Adult 
female  in  spring  and  summer:  upper  parts  yel- 
lowish olive  green,  usually  grayer  on  back  and 
scapulars ;  under  parts  light  yellow,  washed  with 
olive  green  on  sides  ;  under  tail  coverts  canary 
yellow.  Adult  male  in  fall  and  winter :  similar 
to  adult  female,  but  wings  and  tail  black.  Young 
Fig.  469.  male  in  Jirst  autumn :  like  adult  female,  but  yel- 

low of  under  parts  clearer  ;  wings  with  two  yellow- 
ish bands  ;  black  first  appearing  on  wing  coverts  and  scapulars.  Young 
male,  nestling  plumage  :  upper  parts  olive  green,  faintly  mottled  with  dusky  ; 
wings  and  tail  with  olive  green  edgings ;  wings  with  two  yellowish  bands  ; 
under  parts  white,  tinged  with  yellow  behind  ;  chest  and  sides  streaked. 
Male:  length  (skins)  6.25-6.75,  wing 3.62-3.91,  tail  2.56-2.82,  bill  .S7-.62. 
Female  :  length  (skins)  6.20-6.70,  wing  3.45-3.72,  tail  2.52-2.77,  bill  .57- 
.62. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  of  the 


TANAGERS  381 

eastern  United  States  from  Canada  and  Manitoba  south  to  the  Tennessee 
Mountains,  and  from  the  Atlantic  west  to  the  Plains ;  casually  or  occa- 
sionally to  Colorado  and  Wyoming ;  winters  in  the  West  Indies,  eastern 
Mexico,  Central  America,  and  south  to  northern  South  America ;  accidental 
in  Bermuda. 

Nest.  —  On  a  horizontal  branch,  10  to  30  feet  from  the  ground,  a  flat, 
loose  structure,  made  of  stems  and  plant  fibers,  lined  with  fibers  and  root- 
lets. Eggs :  3  to  5,  essentially  like  those  of  the  summer  tanager. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  wild  berries. 

The  songs  of  the  tanagers  have  a  strong  resemblance,  but  their 
call-notes  are  very  different.  That  of  the  scarlet  tanager  is  a  dis- 
tinctly enunciated  chip-churr,  and  so  unique  that  it  will  identify  him 
when  his  glowing  scarlet  body  and  black  wings  and  tail  are  hidden 
in  the  greenery. 

609.  Piranga  hepatica  Swains.    HEPATIC  TANAGER. 

Upper  mandible  with  tooth-like  projection  on  cutting  edge.  Adult  male 
in  spring  and  summer :  under  parts  scarlet,  brownish  on  sides;  ear  cov- 
erts brownish,  with  white  shaft  streaks ;  crown  bright  red  ;  rest  of  upper 
parts  dull  red  ;  back  and  scapulars  tinged  with  grayish  brown ;  lower  man- 
dible bluish  gray  in  life.  Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer :  upper  parts 
olive  green,  grayer  on  back ;  under  parts  olive  yellow,  darker  on  sides. 
Adult  male  in  fall  and  winter :  back  and  scapulars  more  brownish  gray  ; 
red  of  under  parts  duller,  some  of  the  feathers  with  paler  tips.  Adult  fe- 
male in  fall  and  winter:  like  summer  female,  but  brighter.  Young,  nest- 
ling plumage  :  streaked,  on  grayish  olive  above,  pale  buff y  below ;  wings 
with  buffy  bars.  Male :  length  (skins)  6.90-7.80,  wing  3.96-4.13,  tail  3.12- 
3.37,  bill  .66-.73.  Female :  length  (skins)  6.90-7.74,  wing  3.85-3.99,  tail 
2.94-3.34,  bill  .67-.71. 

Remarks.  —  The  hepatic  tanager  may  be  distinguished  from  the  Cooper 
by  its  dull  grayish  red  back  and  the  scarlet  tone  of  its  under  parts,  com- 
pared with  the  nearly  uniform  coloration  and  rose  pink  tones  of  the  Cooper. 
Its  gray  cheeks  are  a  good  field  character.  The  males  are  three  years  in 
acquiring  the  brilliant  adult  plumage,  and  breed  in  a  mixture  of  the  red 
and  yellow  of  their  parents. 

Distribution.  —  From  southwestern  Texas,  central  New  Mexico,  and 
Arizona  south  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  On  low  oak  branches,  a  slight  structure  made  of  coarse  rootlets 
and  dried  plant  stems,  lined  with  finer  materials.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  very  pale 
bluish  green,  lightly  spotted  chiefly  around  larger  end  with  browns  and 
purples. 

In  the  Guadalupe-  Mountains,  New  Mexico,  we  found  the  beauti- 
ful bird  quite  common  in  the  oaks  and  pines  on  the  edge  of  the 
Transition  zone,  at  about  6700  feet,  especially  on  the  rocky  wooded 
hillsides. 


382  SWALLOWS 

610.  Piranga  rubra  (Linn.).    SUMMER  TANAGER. 

Adult  male  (summer  and  winter).  —  Upper  parts  dull  dark  red ;  wings 
and  tail  brownish  red  ;  under  parts  vermilion  or 
poppy  red.  Adult  female  (summer  and  winter) : 
upper  parts  plain  yellowish  olive  ;  under  parts 
dull  yellow.  Immature  male :  red  mixed  with 
patches  of  yellowish  green.  Young  male  in  first 
autumn:  like  adult  female,  but  colors  richer, 
upper  parts  more  ochraceous ;  crown,  upper  tail 
coverts,  tail,  and  edges  of  wing  quills  tinged 
with  dull  orange.  Male  :  length  (skins)  6.40- 

7.20,  wing  3.64-3.92,  tail  2.80-2.94,  bill  .66-.76.     Female:  length  (skins) 

6.50-7.20,  wing  3.50-3.77,  tail  2.62-2.91,  bill  .69-.72. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  in  the  eastern 

central  United  States,  west  to  western  Texas  ;  migrates  to  Cuba  and  through 

eastern  Mexico  south  to  Peru. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  6  to  60  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  weeds,  grasses, 

leaves,  and  catkins.   Eggs  :  3  or  4,  green,  spotted  with  browns  and  purples. 

610a.  P.  r.  cooperi  Eidgw.    COOPER  TANAGER. 

Similar  to  rubra,  but  larger,  with  relatively  longer  bill,  wing,  and  tail, 
and  under  parts  rose  pink. 

Remarks.  —  The  Cooper  tanager  differs  from  the  hepatic  by  the  absence 
of  gray  on  the  back  and  by  the  rose  pink  tone  of  its  under  parts.  Male  : 
length  (skins)  6.60-7.50,  wing  3.66-4.18,  tail  2.98-3.38,  bill  .72-.7S.  Fe- 
male :  length  (skins)  7.00-7.85,  wing  3.80-4.02,  tail  2.95-3.26,  bill  .76-.80. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southwestern  Texas  to  the  Colorado  Valley, 
California,  and  from  Arizona  and  New  Mexico  to  northwestern  Mexico  ; 
south  in  winter  to  western  Mexico  ;  casually  to  Colorado. 

The  Cooper  tanager  seems  to  be  especially  fond  of  the  cottonwoods 
of  the  lower  levels,  and  migrates  early  in  the  fall. 

FAMILY  HIRUNDINID  JE :   SWALLOWS. 

KEY  TO    GENERA. 

1.  Tail  forked  for  more  than  length  of  tarsus. 

2.  Tail  forked  for  about  half  its  length. 

Hirundo,  p.  384. 

2'.  Tail  forked  for  less  than  half  its  length. 

Frog&e,  p.  383. 
1'.  Tail  forked  for  less  than  length  of  tarsus. 

2.  Under  parts  entirely  pure  white Tachycineta,  p.  385. 

2'.  Under  parts  not  entirely  pure  white. 

3.  Tarsus  with  tuft  of  feathers  above  hind  toe    .     .  Riparia,  p.  386. 
3'.  Tarsus  without  tuft  of  feathers. 
4.  Wing    with   outer   quill 
hooked  in  male,  rough- 
ened in  female. 
Stelgidopteryx,  p.  387.  Fi&- 472- 

4'.  Wing  with  outer  quill  normal ;  forehead  white,  buffy,  or  brown. 

Fetrochelidon,  p.  383. 


SWALLOWS  383 

GENUS   PROGNE. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  long,  stout,  and  convex ;  feet  large,  with 
strong,  curved  claws ;  tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw ;  tail  forked 
for  less  than  half  its  length. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Females  with  under  tail  coverts  streaked subis,  p.  383. 

1'.  Females  with  under  tail  coverts  not  streaked  .     .     .  hesperia,  p.  383. 

611.  Progne  SUbis  (Linn.).    PURPLE  MARTIN. 

Adult  male.  —  Whole  body  glossy  blue  black ;  wings  and  tail  black  ; 
feathers  of  ventral  region  entirely  sooty  grayish  beneath  the  surface. 
Adult  female  and  immature  males  with  forehead  grayish  and  upper  parts 
sooty  glossed  with  blue  black,  interrupted  by  grayish  collar  ;  lower  parts 
grayish  in  front,  whole  under  parts  streaked,  the  feathers,  especially  on 
chest,  with  distinctly  sooty  grayish  centers.  Length  :  7.25-8.50,  wing  5.65- 
6.20,  tail  3.00-3.40  (forked  for  .70-90). 

Distribution.  —  Temperate  North  America  from  Ontario  and  Hudson 
Bay  south  to  the  southern  end  of  Mexican  tableland ;  wintering  in  South 
America. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  of  trees  or  about  buildings  and  in  bird  boxes.  Eggs  : 
3  to  5,  plain  white. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  peculiar  vibrant  and  at  the  same  time  mouthed  quality  of  the 
martin's  song  tells  of  his  presence,  even  when  his  big  steel  blue  body 
is  not  seen  floating  around  overhead.  His  song,  though  unpreten- 
tious, is  a  talkative  twitter  very  pleasant  and  companionable. 

But,  although  we  usually  associate  him  with  bird  boxes  and  towns, 
large  numbers,  especially  of  the  western  subspecies,  still  nest  in 
hollow  trees  in  the  mountain  forests. 

61  la.  P.  S.  hesperia  Brewst.    WESTERN  MARTIN. 

Adult  male.  —  Indistinguishable  from  male  of  subis.  Adult  female  : 
similar  to  female  subis,  but  light  gray  of  forehead  extending  back  into 
crown  ;  feathers  of  back  and  rump  conspicuously  edged  with  grayish  or 
pale  brown;  bend  of  wing  and  under  coverts  mottled  profusely  with 
whitish ;  anterior  under  parts  and  nuchal  collar  grayish  white  ;  and  whole 
tract  from  abdomen  to  under  tail  coverts  almost  immaculate  white. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Pacific  coast  region  from  Oregon  south  through 
California  and  Arizona  to  southern  Lower  California ;  migrates  to  Nica- 
ragua. 

The  examination  of  birds  from  British  Columbia  may  show  that 
they  should  be  referred  to  this  form. 

GENUS    PETROCHELIDON. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  short,  nearly  even ;  nostrils  without  nasal 
scale,  opening  directly  upward ;  tarsus  with  tuft  of  feathers  aboVe  hind 
toe. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Forehead  white  or  pale  isabella lunifrons,  p.  384. 

1'.  Forehead  rich  chestnut ;  rarely  fawn  color     .    melanogastra,  p.  384. 


384  SWALLOWS 

612.  Petrochelidon  lunifrons  (Say.).    CLIFF  SWALLOW. 

Adults.  —  Forehead  white,  buffy,  or  brown ;  crown,  back,  and  patch  on 
chest  glossy  blue  black ;  throat  and  sides  of  head  chest- 
nut; rump  conspicuous  pale  rufous;  belly  white.  Young: 
similar,  but  colors  duller  and  pattern  less  sharply  defined ; 
throat  usually,  and  other  parts  of  head  sometimes,  spotted 
with  white ;  tertials  and  tail  coverts  edged  with  brown, 
chestnut  of  head  partly  or  wholly  wanting ;  upper  parts 
Fig  473  dul1  blackish.  Length:  5-6.  wing  4.05-4.55,  tail  2.00- 

2.20. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  from  the  limit  of  trees  south  to  the 
southwestern  United  States ;  migrates  to  Central  and  South  America. 
Not  recorded  from  Florida  or  the  West  Indies. 

Nest.  —  A  gourd  or  retort  shaped  structure  made  of  pellets  of  mud 
mixed  with  a  few  straws,  lined  with  feathers ;  attached  to  cliffs  or  build- 
ings.     Eggs :  3  to  5,  white,  speckled  or  spotted  with  brown  and  lilac. 
Food.  —  Ants  and  other  insects. 

In  regions  where  there  are  no  houses,  the  retort-shaped  nests  of 
the  cliff  swallows  are  usually  found  in  colonies  massed  on  the  side 
of  a  cliff,  under  the  roof  of  a  cave,  or  plastered  to  the  branches  of 
a  giant  tree  ;  but  in  the  settled  part  of  the  country  the  birds  seem 
to  prefer  eaves  of  barns  and  houses,  and  their  nests  have  been 
found  in  deserted  buildings  plastered  to  ceilings  and  walls. 

There  is  such  a  common  prejudice  against  these  swallows  that 
boys  are  often  encouraged  to  shoot  them  with  sling-shots  in  the 
cities,  and  ranchmen  drive  them  away  from  their  barns,  fearing 
that  the  parasites  which  infest  them  will  spread  to  the  stock.  But, 
as  a  matter  of  fact,  bird  parasites  will  not  live  on  mammals,  and 
the  swallows  do  great  good  by  eating  annoying  insects. 

612.2.  Petrochelidon  melanogastra  (Swains.).  MEXICAN 
CLIFF  SWALLOW. 

Like  lunifrons.  but  "  smaller,  with  forehead  chestnut,  like  throat  and 
sides  of  head  (rarely  fawn  colored),  and  rump  deep  cinnamon."  (Ridg- 
way.)  Length :  4.50-5.00,  wing  3.95-4.30,  tail  2.00-2.20. 

Distribution.  —  Mexico,  south  to  Guatemala,  north  to  southern  Arizona. 

The  Mexican  cliff  swallow  has  recently  been  added  to  the  list  of 
United  States  birds  by  Dr.  E.  A.  Mearns,  who  found  it  breeding  in 
southern  Arizona. 

GENUS   HTRUNDO. 

613.  Hirundo  erythrogastra  Bodd.    BARN  SWALLOW. 

Tail  forked  for  about  half  its  length,  outside  feather  tapered  to  point ; 


SWALLOWS 


385 


From  Biological  Survey,  TJ.  8.  Dept.  of 

Agriculture. 

Fig.  475.     Barn  Swallow. 


tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe 
and  claw;  upper  part 
feathered.  Adults :  under 
Fig.  474.  parts  tawny  brown,  darkest 
on  throat ;  forehead  dark 
brown,  rest  of  upper  parts  glossy 
steel  blue  ;  wings  and  tail  tinged 
with  purple  and  green ;  tail  feath- 
ers — except  middle  pair — marked 
with  large  whitish  spots.  Young  : 
fork  of  tail  shorter;  upper  parts 
paler,  under  parts  duller,  brown  of 
forehead  indistinct  or  wanting ; 
throat  and  chest  light  rusty. 
Length :  5.75-7.75,  wing  4.60-4.90, 
tail  3.70-4. 10,  forked  in  adult  male 
for  about  1.85-2.10. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the 
Arctic  Circle  south  to  southern  end 
of  Mexican  tableland;  migrates 
to  Central  and  South  America. 

Nest.  —  A  bowl-shaped  wall- 
pocket,  made  of  pellets  of  mud  mixed  with  straws  and  lined  with  feathers, 
attached  to  side  or  roof  of  a  cave  or  to  timbers  in  barns  or  other  build- 
ings. Eggs :  3  to  5,  white,  speckled  with  brown  and  lavender. 

Food.  —  Insects,  largely  flies. 

The  long  forked  tail  of  the  barn  swallow  gives  it  a  peculiarly 
easy,  graceful  flight,  and  one  of  its  favorite  feats  is  to  catch  the 
insects  that  accompany  a  horse  and  carriage  along  the  road,  easily 
circling  around  and  around  them  as  the  horse  carries  the  wagon 
along  at  full  swing. 

While  the  other  swallows  hunt  more  habitually  in  the  sky,  the 
barn  swallow  is  usually  seen  beating  low  over  a  meadow.  When 
resting  on  a  telegraph  wire  it  sings  a  bright,  squeaky  little  warble. 
Its  call-note  is  given  as  a  soft  witt,  witt,  and  its  alarm-note  as  a 
harsh  Vr'r'r,  t'r'r'r. 

Though  generally  associated  with  barns  and  meadows,  it  is  often 
found  in  towns,  and  along  the  line  of  the  Canadian  Pacific  is  one  of 
the  commonest  birds  seen  in  the  mountain  canyons. 

GENUS    TACHYCINETA. 

General  Characters.  —  Tail  forked  for  less  than  length  of  tarsus  ;  tarsus 
entirely  naked. 

KEY   TO  SPECIES. 

1.  Upper  parts  metallic  steel  blue  or  greenish  .     .     .     .     bicolor,  p.  385. 
1'.  Upper  parts  green  and  purple lepida,  p.  386. 

614.  Tachycineta  bicolor  (VieilL).    WHITE-BELLIED  SWALLOW: 

TREE  SWALLOW. 
Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  pure  white  ;  upper  parts  burnished  steel  blue  ; 


386  SWALLOWS 

lores  deep  black;  wings  and  tail  blackish,  slightly  tinged  with  green. 
Adult  female :  upper  parts  usually  duller  than  in  male, 
but  sexes  often  indistinguishable.  Young  :  above  entirely 
dull  brownish  slate.  Length :  5.00-6.25,  wing  about  4.50- 
4.80,  tail  2.30-2.50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  limit  of  trees  south  to 
New   Jersey,  the   Ohio  Valley,  Kansas,  and   California; 

Fig.  47(3.   White-     winters  from  South  Carolina  and  the  Gulf  States  south 

bellied  Swallow,      to  the  West  Indies  and  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  holes,  usually  of  trees,  lined  with  grasses, 

leaves,  and  feathers.     Eggs  :  usually  4  or  5,  pure  white. 

The  white-bellied  swallow,  with  its  shining  wrhite  breast  and 
metallic  bluish  green  back,  may  be  seen  skimming  over  the  water 
or  sailing  about  in  the  sky  at  some  season  in  a  large  part  of  North 
America.  In  southern  California  it  is  said  to  be  abundant  in  the 
lowland  willow  regions,  especially  about  ponds  and  marshes,  while 
in  Colorado  it  breeds  up  to  an  altitude  of  10,000  feet. 

615.  Tachycineta  thalassina  lepida  (Mearns).    NORTHERN 

VIOLET-GREEN  SWALLOW. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head  parrot  green  ;  nape  with  a  narrow  purple 
collar ;  back  bottle  green,  glossed  with  violet  in  some  lights ;  rump  and 
upper  tail  coverts  violet,  shaded  with  purple  ;  wing  and  tail  quills  black, 
glossed  with  indigo ;  wing  coverts  violet,  edged  with  green  ;  rump  with 
white  patches  on  sides  almost  confluent  in  life  ;  under  parts  white.  Adult 
female :  similar,  but  smaller  and  duller.  Young :  like  those  of  bicolor, 
but  feathers  of  under  parts  grayish  beneath  the  surface,  and  bill  smaller. 
Length :  5.30,  wing  4.65,  tail  1.97,  bill  .26. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  western  United  States  to  the  eastern  base  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains;  north  to  Alaska;  migrates  to  Guatemala  and  Costa  Rica. 

Nest.  —  In  cliffs  or  hollow  trees,  lined  with  feathers.    Eggs  :  4  or  5,  white. 

Let  a  violet  green  swallow  once  come  fleeing  down  a  canyon  past 
you,  so  that  you  see  its  remarkable  violet  back  as  it  flashes  by,  and 
you  will  always  have  a  vivid  interest  in  the  handsome  bird. 

It  is  especially  fond  of  the  oaks  and  pines  of  the  mountains,  but 
nests  not  only  in  hollow  trees  and  woodpecker  holes  but  often  in  the 
walls  of  canyons.  Dr.  Mearns  has  found  it  breeding  in  limestone 
cliffs  about  the  hot  springs  and  geysers  of  the  Yellowstone.  It  is 
also  found  about  ranches,  nesting  in  bird-houses  or  knot-holes  in 
buildings. 

GENUS   KIPABIA. 

616.  Riparia  riparia  (Linn.).    BANK  SWALLOW. 

Tarsus  with  a  small  tuft  of  feathers  on  back  near  toes ;  bill 
small,  nostrils  opening  laterally;  tail  much  shorter  than 
wings,  emarginate.  Upper  parts  sooty,  darkest  on  head  and 
wings ;  under  parts  white,  with  sooty  band  across  chest  and 
sides,  and  sometimes  sooty  spot  on  breast.  Young :  similar, 
but  feathers  of  wings  and  rump  with  buffy  or  whitish  edg- 
.  477.  ings.  Length ;  4.75-5.50,  wing  3.70-4.25,  tail  2.10-2.25. 


WAXWINGS  AND  PHAINOPEPLAS  387 

Distribution.  —  Northern  hemisphere ;  in  America  breeding  from  the 
limit  of  trees  south  to  the  central  United  States  ;  wintering  from  the 
southern  border  of  the  United  States  south  to  the  West  Indies,  Central, 
and  northern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  In  horizontal  holes  or  burrows,  excavated  in  sand  banks,  cuts, 
and  banks  of  streams.  Eggs  :  3  to  6,  white. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  colonies  of  chattering  little  bank  swallows  with  dull  colored 
backs  and  dark  chest  bands  seem  to  require  little  more  than  a  sand 
bank  and  a  telegraph  wire  for  complete  happiness,  and  given  these, 
blow  the  wind  east  or  blow  the  wind  west,  they  gossip  merrily  on. 

GENUS  STELGIDOPTERYX. 

617.  Stelgidopteryx  serripennis  (And.}.  ROUGH-WINGED  SWAL- 
LOW. 

Bill  small ;  tail  short  and  slightly  emarginate  ;  tarsus  slightly  feath- 
ered above  ;  lateral  claws  curved 

and    not    reaching     , 
beyond  the  base  of    ^ 

the    middle   claw  ;  Fig.  478, 

outer  web  of  outer  primaries  saw-toothed  in  male,  roughened 
in  female.    Adults :  upper  parts  dull  grayish  brown,  darker 
,,.  on  wings  and  tail,  tertials  usually  margined  with  grayish; 

lg>  '  under  parts  soiled  gray,  belly  and  under  tail  coverts  white. 
Young :  like  adults,  but  plumage  more  or  less  washed  with  brown ;  wings 
with  broad  cinnamon  tips  and  margins.  Length:  5.00-5.75,  wing  4.00— 
4.70,  tail  2.05-2.35. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  of  British  Colum- 
bia, Ontario,  the  United  States,  and  Mexico  ;  migrates  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  holes,  usually  in  banks,  but  often  in  abutments  of  bridges, 
Eggs :  3  to  6,  white. 

Food.  —  Flies  and  other  insects. 

The  dingy  rough  wings  are  less  sociable  than  the  bank  swallows 
during  the  nesting  season,  but  afterwards  assemble  in  large  flocks 
and  are  in  less  of  a  hurry  to  start  for  the  south. 

In  Nevada,  during  a  shower,  Mr.  Oberholser  once  found  a  flock 
congregated  about  a  small  cliff  in  a  cave. 

FAMILY   AMFELID-5I:   WAXWINGS  AND  PHAINO- 
PEPLAS. 

KEY  TO  GENERA. 

1.  Wings  pointed Ampelis,  p.  387. 

1'.  Wings  rounded Phainopepla,  p.  390. 

GENUS   AMPELIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Head  crested ;  bill  short,  broad,  flat,  rather 
obtuse,  plainly  notched  near  tip  of  each  mandible  ;  wings  long  and  pointed, 
much  longer  than  tail ;  primaries  apparently  only  nine,  the  first  being 


388  WAXWINGS   AND   PHAINOPEPLAS 

minute  ;  inner  quills  generally,  and  tail  feathers  sometimes,  tipped  with 
red  horny  appendages  like  sealing-  wax  ;  tail  short ;  feet  rather  weak ; 
tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Forehead  and  cheeks  dark  brown  in  contrast  to  crest. 

garrulus,  p.  388. 
1'.  Forehead  and  cheeks  fawn  color  like  crest     .     .     .  cedrorum,  p.  388. 

618.  Ampelis  garrulus  Linn.    BOHEMIAN  WAXWING. 

Adults.  —  Whole  body,  including  high  crest,  soft  fawn  color,  fading  to 
grayish  on  rump  and  flanks,  and  washed  with  yellowish  on  middle  of 
belly ;  forehead,  cheeks,  and  under  tail  coverts  deep  brown ;  chin,  lores, 
and  eye  streak  extending  back  under  crest,  velvety  black ;  wings  and  tail 
blackish,  wing  coverts  extensively  tipped  with  whitish  or  yellow,  the  ter- 
tials  sometimes  with  red  wax-like  appendages  ;  tail  with  a  terminal  band 
of  yellow.  Young :  duller  ;  under  parts  streaked.  Length :  7.40-8.75, 
wing  4.40-4.60,  tail  2.75-2.90. 

Distribution.  —  Northern  parts  of  northern  hemisphere  ;  breeds  in  north- 
ern North  America  to  Fort  Churchill,  Hudson  Bay ;  migrates  into  the 
United  States  as  far  as  Pennsylvania,  Illinois,  Colorado,  and  California. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  6  to  20  feet  from  the  ground,  bulky,  made  of  twigs, 
rootlets,  leaves,  grass  stems,  and  sometimes  lichens  and  mosses  ;  lined  with 
rootlets,  grasses,  and  feathers.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  bluish  white  to  purplish 
gray,  spotted  with  lilac  and  dark  brown,  most  thickly  about  the  larger 
end. 

Food.  —  Insects,  fruits,  and  berries,  including  juniper  and  mountain  ash 
berries. 

The  Bohemian  waxwing,  though  an  irregular  wanderer  from  the 
north,  is  not  uncommon  in  the  mountains  of  Colorado  in  winter, 
going  as  high  as  8000  feet.  It  comes  in  November  and  leaves  in 
February  or  March. 

619.  Ampelis  cedrorum  (Vieill.).    CEDAR  WAXWING. 

Adults.  —  Streak  through  eye  velvety  black  ;  crest,  head,  and  under 
parts  fawn  color,  fading  to  olive  yellow  on  flanks  ;  upper  parts  olive  gray 
becoming  blackish  on  wing  quills  and  tail ;  tail  tipped  with  yellow  and 
both  wing  and  tail  sometimes  tipped  with  red  wax-like  appendages.  Young : 
similar,  but  duller,  and  under  parts  strongly,  upper  parts  lightly,  streaked. 
Length :  6.50-7.50,  wing  3.60-3.90,  tail  2.30-2.60. 

Remarks.  —  The  Cedar  waxwing  differs  from  the  Bohemian  in  being 
smaller,  and  in  lacking  the  dark  brown  of  forehead,  cheeks,  and  under  tail 
coverts,  and  the  yellow  and  white  wing  markings. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  mainly  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  of 
North  America,  from  Saskatchewan  south  to  Virginia,  western  North 
Carolina,  and  the  mountains  of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  ;  winters  from 
the  northern  border  of  the  United  States  to  the  West  Indies  and  Costa  Rica. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  low  trees,  a  deep,  bulky  structure,  made  of  twigs, 
weed  stems,  grasses,  and  vegetable  fibers,  lined  with  leaves  and  fine 
rootlets.  Eggs  .  usually  4,  bluish  or  purplish  gray,  spotted  with  brown  or 
black. 

Food.  —  Insects,  including  elm-leaf  beetles  and  bark  or  scale  lice,  with 
seeds  or  berries  of  trees,  such  as  pepper,  juniper,  mulberry,  and  mistletoe. 


WAXWINGS   AND   PHAINOPEPLAS 


389 


Fig.  480.     Cedar  Waxwing. 

Like  the  Bohemian  waxwing  the  cedar-birds  are  wanderers,  travel- 
ing over  the  country  in  flocks  except  during  their  late  breeding  sea- 
son. Sometimes  they  appear  in  small  bands  of  less  than  a  score,  at 
others  in  such  large  companies  that  when  they  alight  in  a  pepper- 
tree  and  fall  to  eating  the  berries  their  plump,  moving  forms  seen 
through  the  foliage  make  the  trees  seem  alive  with  their  numbers. 

Though  they  all  talk  at  once,  as  they  usually  do,  their  sibilant 
notes  are  so  soft  and  subdued  .that  a  passer-by  would  scarcely  heed 
their  presence. 

However  much  romance  there  may  be  in  the  famous  stories  recit- 
ing the  politeness  and  affection  of  these  gentle  birds,  they  merit  all 


390 


WAXWINGS  AND   PHAINOPEPLAS 


the  study  that  can  be  given  them,  and  if  watched  through  a  nesting 
season  win  their  own  place  in  the  affections  of  the  bird-lover. 


GENUS    PHAINOPEPLA. 

620.  Phainopepla  nitens  (Swains.).     PHAINOPEPLA. 

Jlead  with  long  thin  occipital  crest ;  wing  rounded,  of  ten  feathers,  but 

first  only  about  half  as  long 
as  second  ;  tail  long  and  fan- 
shaped  ;  hind  toe  very  short. 
Adult  male :  glossy  blue 
black  except  for  white 
patch  on  inner  webs  of  pri- 
maries. In  winter :  many  of 
the  feathers  bordered  with 
white.  Adult  female  and 
young:  plain  brownish  gray, 
lighter  below  ;  white  on  pri- 
maries restricted,  but  wing 
coverts,  secondaries,  and 
lower  tail  coverts  with  whit- 
ish edgings.  Length :  7.00- 
7.75,  wing  3.60-3.80,  tail 
3.80-4.10. 

Eemarks.  —  In  the  field  the 
Phainopepla  may  be  recog- 
nized at  a  distance  by  his 
black  body  and  white  wing 
patches. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in 
arid  Lower  Sonoran  zone 
from  southwestern  Texas  to 
the  Pacific,  and  from  south- 
ern Utah,  Nevada,  and  Cali- 
fornia south  to  Cape  St.  Lucas  and  the  Valley  of  Mexico. 

Nest. — Saucer  shaped,  compactly  made  of  plant  fibers,  stems,  and 
blossoms,  small  twigs  and  plant  down ;  placed  in  elders,  peppers,  oaks, 
and  blue  gums,  and  often  in  parasitic  plants.  Eggs :  2  or  3,  grayish  or 
greenish  white,  thickly  spotted  with  brown,  blackish,  or  faint  lilac. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  berries  such  as  those  of  the  pepper,  choke  cherry, 
elder,  sumac,  the  mistletoe  and  other  parasitic  plants. 

The  phainopepla  is  a  bird  of  the  southwest  desert  country,  and  in 
Arizona  Mr.  Scott  has  found  flocks  of  fifty  or  more  gathered  in 
juniper  covered  canyons  when  the  berries  were  ripe;  but  when  a 
single  individual  strays  up  to  the  foothills  of  the  Sierra  it  is  a  de- 
lightful surprise  to  meet  him.  In  southern  California  the  phaino- 
pepla seems  as  much  at  home  on  the  telegraph  wires  of  Pasadena  and 
in  the  parks  of  Riverside  as  in  the  canyons,  and  wherever  found  is 
the  same  dashing  distinguished  beauty. 

When  flying  at  an  intruder  he  lowers  his  crest  threateningly,  but 
ordinarily  it  stands  as  a  high  plume  adding  distinction  to  his  refined, 


SHRIKES  391 

dignified  presence.  Though  so  reserved  in  bearing  he  is  full  of 
vivacity  and  song,  and  will  sometimes  dart  up  in  the  air  and  come 
down  singing. 

His  sallies  often  appear  to  be  made  for  insects,  being  in  regular 
kingbird  manner,  and  at  times  in  southern  California  when  the 
brush  is  full  of  millers,  the  birds  seem  to  be  catching  them.  But 
berries  are  their  ordinary  food,  the  mistletoe,  pepper,  and  juniper 
being  prime  favorites. 

In  the  breeding  season  in  leaving  the  trees  to  go  back  to  their 
nesting  grounds,  they  often  rise  obliquely  for  perhaps  a  hundred 
feet  and  then  fly  on  evenly  straight  to  their  destination,  though 
sometimes  while  flying  level  and  high  they  change  their  course  by 
odd,  sudden  jerks.  When  near  the  nest  the  male  often  closes  his 
wings  and  shoots  obliquely  down  with  tilting  tail. 

About  the  nest  the  birds  have  a  variety  of  notes.  The  commonest, 
which  resembles  the  call  of  a  young  robin,  is  given  by  both  male 
and  female,  with  a  flash  of  the  tail.  The  male  has  also  a  scold,  a 
meadowlark-like  note,  and  a  harsh  alarm-call  drawn  out  like  ca-rack 
or  ca-rac-ack.  His  ordinary  song,  though  with  weak,  squeaky 
notes,  has  phrases  of  rich  quality  suggesting  the  o-ka-lee  of  the  red- 
wing ;  and  taken  as  a  whole,  jumbled  notes,  flutelike  tones,  musical 
outbursts,  and  all,  the  song  is  most  pleasing  because  of  its  vivacity 
and  brightness. 

The  nests  of  the  few  individuals  I  have  watched  were  built  mainly 
by  the  males,  the  females  of  a  brush  patch  going  off  by  themselves 
while  their  lords  worked  at  home. 

FAMILY  LANIID-SS:   SHRIKES. 

GENUS   LANIUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  large  and  powerful,  notched,  toothed,  and 
hooked ;  wing  with  ten  primaries ;  wing  and  tail  rounded  ;  feet  large  and 
strong ;  tarsus  distinctly  scaled. 

KEY   TO  ADULTS. 


Fig.  482. 

1.  Lores  and  nasal  tufts  never  wholly  black  ....     borealis,  p.  392. 
1'.  Lores  and  nasal  tufts  always  wholly  black. 

2.  Under  parts  pure  white .  excubitorides,  p.  392. 

2'.  Under  parts  dull  white,  grayish,  or  brownish,  often  finely  barred  with 
grayish. 

3.  Upper  parts  tinged  with  brownish gambeli,  p.  393. 

3'.  Upper  parts  dark  slate  gray anthonyi,  p.  393. 


392  SHRIKES 

621.  Lanius  borealis  Vieill.     NORTHERN  SHRIKE. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Wide  streak  on  side  of  head,  and  wings  and  tail 
black,  wings  and  tail  extensively  marked  with  white  ;  under  parts  white, 
barred  or  undulated  with  grayish;  upper  parts  pale  ash  gray  becoming 
whitish  on  forehead,  superciliary,  and  rump;  lores  black  and  grayish, 
a  whitish  spot  on  lower  eyelid.  Adults  in  winter :  similar,  but  basal  half 
of  lower  mandible  light  brownish  horn  color,  grayish  in  life,  and  lores 


From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 
Fig.  483. 

chiefly  light  grayish  or  whitish.  Young :  largely  washed  with  brownish. 
Length:  9.25-10.75,  wing  4.35-4.60,  tail  4.50-4.70,  bill  from  nostril  .50-.55. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Labrador,  Hudson  Bay,  and  Cook  Inlet, 
Alaska,  northward ;  migrates  south  in  winter  as  far  as  Virginia,  Kansas, 
Arizona,  and  northern  California. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  thorny  trees,  a  rude,  bulky  structure  of  twigs, 
grasses,  and  stems,  lined  with  mosses,  lichens,  and  feathers.  Eggs :  4  to 
6,  pale  bluish  green,  spotted  with  brown  and  purple. 

Food.  —  In  winter,  mice,  English  sparrows,  grasshoppers,  and  other 
birds  and  insects. 

The  northern  shrikes  reach  Colorado  in  October,  Prof.  Cooke 
says,  first  appearing  on  the  mountains  above  timberline.  Some  of 
them  winter  as  high  as  9500  feet  in  the  mountain  parks,  but  most 
of  them  work  their  way  down  to  the  plains,  where  they  find  abun- 
dant food  in  the  shape  of  horned  larks.  In  other  regions  they  are 
often  tempted  to  visit  cities  by  the  unfailing  supply  of  English 
sparrows,  for  in  habits  they  are  miniature  birds  of  prey. 

622a.  Lanius  ludovicianus  excubitorides  Swains.    WHITE- 

RUMPED  SHRIKE. 

Adults.  —  Bill,  lores,  and  nasal  tufts  wholly  black ;  upper  parts  light  slate 

gray  ;  upper  tail  coverts  whitish  ; 
under  parts  pure  white,  very  lightly, 
if  at  all,  marked.  Young  :  like  adults, 
but  base  of  lower  mandible  light- 
Fig.  484.  colored,  general  colors  less  strongly 


SHRIKES  393 

contrasted,  washed  with  brown  and  narrowly  barred,  the  wing  coverts 
tipped  with  buffy.  Length:  8-10,  wing  3.75-4.10,  tail  3.75-4.30,  bill  from 
nostril  .42-.50,  depth  of  bill  at  base  .30-.35. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  British  Columbia  and  Hudson  Bay  south  to 
Lower  California  and  over  the  northern  tablelands  of  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  thorn-trees,  hedges,  briers,  and  cactus  ;  bulky,  made  of  sticks 
and  stems,  leaves,  wool,  and  feathers;  lined  with  stems  of  grass  and 
weeds,  and  sometimes  hairs.  Eggs:  4  to  6,  grayish  to  yellowish  white, 
spotted  with  brown  and  lilac. 

Food.  —  Mice,  birds,  and  insects  —  chiefly  grasshoppers. 

A  shrike  may  be  recognized  as  far  as  seen  by  his  level  flight,  the 
beating  of  his  short  little  wings,  and  the  way  he  holds  up  his  big 
head  ;  and  when  he  alights  his  clear  grays  and  sharply  contrasting 
blacks  and  whites  mark  him  afar.  He  is  partial  to  Sarcobatus  flats, 
hedges,  thorny  bushes,  and  barbed  wire  fences,  even  when  not  using 
the  barbs  as  letter  files  for  his  superfluous  catch  of  grasshoppers.  In 
spite  of  all  accusations  the  shrike  probably  impales  his  victims  less 
because  of  original  sin  than  because  of  original  scarcity  of  supplies, 
and  only  a  short  time  ago  he  was  seen  by  a  California  observer  re- 
turning to  his  catch  and  eating  it  with  marked  relish.  (The  Condor, 
iv.  49.)  Nor  is  he  such  a  villain  as  to  be  wanting  in  sound  domestic 
virtues,  and  harsh  and  strident  as  his  voice  may  be  in  the  main,  it 
has  interesting  if  not  musical  moments. 

622b.  L.  1.  gambeli  Eidgw.    CALIFORNIA  SHRIKE. 

Upper  parts  slate  gray,  tinged  with  brownish  ;  upper  tail  coverts  some- 
times abruptly  whitish  as  in  excubitorides  ;  under  parts  dull  white  or  gray- 
ish, darker  on  sides,  breast  usually  distinctly  vermiculated  and  sometimes 
ting-ed  with  pale  brown.  Length :  8-10,  wing  3.70-4.00,  tail  3.75-4.50,  bill 
from  nostril  .43-.4S,  depth  at  base  .30-35. 

Remarks.  —  The  California  shrike  may  be  distinguished  from  the  white- 
rumped  by  the  darker  coloration  of  the  under  parts.  In  excubitorides  they 
are  pure  white,  in  gambeli  usually  vermiculated,  darkened  on  the  sides  and 
sometimes  tinged  with  pale  brown. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  region  of  California. 

Nest.  —  5  to  30  feet  from  the  ground  in  willows,  cypress,  or  oak  ;  bulky, 
made  of  coarse  twigs  and  soft  materials  such  as  straw,  grass,  feathers, 
cotton,  and  wool.  Eggs :  4  to  7,  gray,  sometimes  tinged  with  green,  spotted 
with  light  brown  and  sometimes  purple,  usually  heaviest  around  the  larger 
end. 

Mr.  Grinnell  says  that  the  California  shrike  is  such  a  persistent 
destroyer  of  the  Jerusalem  cricket  and  other  injurious  insects  that 
it  is  undoubtedly  one  of  our  most  beneficial  birds  from  the  agricul- 
turalist's standpoint  and  should  be  protected. 

622c.  L.  1.  anthonyi  Mearns.    ISLAND  SHRIKE. 

Similar  to  gambeli,  but  much  darker  and  smaller ;  under  parts  gray,  be- 
coming white  on  throat  and  under  tail  coverts  ;  upper  parts  dark  slate  gray  ; 
white  areas  on  wings  and  tail  more  restricted  than  in  any  of  the  ludovi- 
cianus  group.  Length :  8.77,  wing  3.74,  tail  4.00,  bill  .63. 

Distribution.  —  Santa  Barbara  Islands,  California. 


394  VIREOS 

FAMILY   VIREONHXSl:   VIREOS, 

GENUS    VIKEO. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  similar  to  that  of  the  shrikes,  distinctly 
hooked  and  notched  at  tip  ;  rictal  bristles  conspicuous ;  wings  equal  to  or 
longer  than  tail ;  tail  nearly  even  ;  claws  stout,  strongly  curved ;  side  toes 
unequal  in  length. 

KEY  TO  ADULTS. 

1.  Head  strikingly  marked. 

2.  Lores  and  orbital  ring  white  in  sharp  contrast  to  gray  or  black  of 
head. 


3.  Top  and  sides  of  head  black,      atricapillus,  p.  397. 

Fig.  485. 
3'.  Top  and  sides  of  head  gray. 

4.  Back  gray.     Southern  Rocky  Mountain  region. 

plumbeus,  p.  397. 
4'.  Back  olive  green. 

5.  Brighter  olive  green.    Eastern  United  States. 

solitarius,  p.  396. 

5'.  Duller  olive  green.     Western  United  States. 
cassinii,  p.  396. 

Fig.  486. 

2'.  Lores  and  orbital  ring  not  white  in  sharp  contrast  to 
head. 


3.  Sides  and  flanks  tinged  with  olive  gray. 

olivaceus,  p.  395. 

Fig.  487. 

3'.  Sides  and  flanks  bright  olive  yellow  .     .     .    flavoviridis,  p.  395. 
1'.  Head  not  strikingly  marked. 
2.  Upper  parts  gray.     Western  Texas  to  southern  California. 

vicinior,  p.  400. 

2'.  Upper  parts  bright  olive  green  or  tinged  with  olive. 
3.  Upper  parts  bright  olive  green. 

4.  Larger  and  brighter noveboracensis,  p.  398. 

4'.  Smaller  and  duller.     Rio  Grande  Valley     .     .     micrus,  p.  399. 
3'.  Upper  parts  tinged  with  olive  green.  <«^«S98^ 

4.  Wings  unmarked gilvus,  p.  395.       ^W 

4'.  Wings  marked  with  white.  Fig.  488. 

5.  Wing  about  2.18. 

6.  Wing  with  two  distinct  bands.   Mississippi  Valley  and  Plains, 

bellii,  p.  399. 

6'.  Wing  usually  with  only  one  band.    Arizona  and  California. 

pusillus,  p.  400. 
5'.  Wing  about  2.50. 
6.  Wing  bars  white. 


VIREOS  395 

7.  Darker,  wing  bars  narrower.     California. 

huttoni,  p.  399. 

7'.  Paler  and  grayer,  wing  bars  broader.     Texas  and  Arizona. 

Stephens!,  p.  399. 

6'.  Wing  bars  tinged  with  yellow.      Washington  and  Oregon, 
wintering  in  California obscurus.  p.  399. 

Subgenus  Vireosylva. 

Spurious  primary  if  present  decidedly  shorter  than  tarsus ;  wing  without 
light  bands. 

624.  Vireo  olivaceus  (Linn.).    RED-EYED  VIREO. 

Adults.  —  Top  of  head  gray,  conspicuously  bordered  by  white  superciliary 
and  narrow  black  line ;  -blackish  line  through  eye ;  rest  of 
upper  parts  olive  green;  wings  without  bands  or  spurious 
primary ;  under  parts  clear  white.  Young  :  similar,  but  back 
brownish  ash ;  sides  washed  with  brown.  Length :  5.50-6.50, 
Fig.  489.  wing  about  3.10-3.30,  tail  2.15-2.30,  exposed  culmen,  .50- 

.55. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  arctic  regions  south  chiefly  in  the  north- 
eastern United  States,  but  extending  through  Florida  and  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico ;  west  to  Montana  and  Washington ;  migrates  to  South  America.  1 

Nest.  —  Hung  rather  low  from  a  forked  twig  of  a  tree,  made  of  strips 
of  birch  and  inner  bark,  dead  leaves,  and  vegetable  fibers,  often  patched 
with  bits  of  wasp  nest  and  lined  with  pine  needles,  or  stems  and  rootlets. 
Eggs  :  3  to  5,  white,  lightly  specked  with  reddish  brown,  chiefly  around 
the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  small  berries. 

The  eastern  red-eyed  vireo  is  found  occasionally  in  Colorado  at  the 
base  of  the  foothills,  and  has  been  recorded  as  far  west  as  British 
Columbia. 

625.  Vireo  flavoviridis  (Cass.).    YELUOW-GREEN  VIREO. 

Like  olivaceus,  but  sides  and  flanks  bright  olive  green,  axillars  and 
under  tail  coverts  sulphur  yellow.  Length  :  6.25-6.75,  wing  2.80-3.20,  tail 
2.05-2.50. 

Distribution.  —  Valley  of  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  in  Texas,  south  to  South 
America ;  accidental  in  Quebec  and  at  Riverside,  California. 

627.  Vireo  gilvus  (VieilL).    WARBLING  VIREO. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  olive  gray,  grayest  on  head  and  most  olive  on  rump 
and  upper  tail  coverts ;  white  streak  through  eye ;  wings  and 
tail  dusky  brown,  unmarked,  wing  with  a  well-developed  spu- 
rious primary ;  sides  of  head  pale  brownish  or  buffy  ;  under 
parts  white,  shaded  with  olive  yellow  on  sides.     Young :  top 
Fig.  490.       of  head  and  hind  neck  pale  grayish  buff ;  rest  of  upper  parts 
buffy,  wings  with  buffy  bars ;  under  parts  pure  white,  except 
for  yellowish  tail  coverts.     Length:  5.00-5.50,  wing  2.65-2.95,  tail  2.10- 
2.40,  bill  from  nostril  .30-.32,  depth  at  base  .15-.18. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  in  general  from  Great  Slave  Lake  to 
northern  Mexico ;  breeds  throughout  the  greater  part  of  this  range.  In 
winter  to  southern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Similar  to  that  of  the  red-eye,  but  smoother  and  more  compact ; 
hung  in  trees,  usually  at  a  considerable  height,  in  open  copses,  along  banks 


396  VIREOS 

of  streams,  or  in  shade-trees  along-  streets.     Eggs :  4  or  5,  white,  spotted 
around  larger  end  with  reddish,  dark  brown,  and  lilac. 

Colorless  as  this  small  leaf- tinted  bird  may  seem  in  coat,  character, 
and  song,  its  voice  is  nevertheless  one  of  the  sunny  warbled  rounds 
that  gives  good  cheer  to  the  western  mountain  forests. 

In  Colorado,  Prof.  Cooke  says,  it  breeds  sparingly  on  the  plains 
and  abundantly  in  the  mountains  up  to  10,000  feet,  especially  in  the 
aspens.  On  San  Francisco  Mountain,  Arizona,  Dr.  Mearns  found  it 
in  fall  in  the  rank  growth  of  annuals  along  streams  in  company  with 
terrestrial  warblers. 

But,  though  a  mountain  dweller,  the  little  vireo  is  also  a  village 
bird,  leaning  over  and  craning  its  neck  to  examine  the  leaves  for 
worms  as  carefully  in  a  Utah  garden  as  in  the  retirement  of  the 
forest. 

Subgenus  Lanivireo. 

Spurious  primary  if  present  decidedly  shorter  than  tarsus ;  wing  with  two 
white  bars. 

629.  Vireo  solitarius  (Wils.).    BLUE-HEADED  VIREO. 

Adults.  —  Top  and  sides  of  head  dark  gray  in  sharp  contrast  to  white  loral 
streak,  orbital  ring  and  throat ;  back  olive  green  ;  wings  with  two  white  bars ; 
under  parts  clear  white,  shaded  with  olive  and  yellow  on  sides  and  flanks. 
Young  in  first  winter :  anterior  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  under  parts  dull 
buffy  white.  Length  :  5-6,  wing  2.90-3.00,  tail  2.10-2.20,  bill  from  nostril 
.28-.30. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Great  Slave  Lake  and  Hudson  Bay  to  south- 
ern. New  England  and  the  northern  part  of  the  lake  states,  and  from  the 
Atlantic  coast  to  Dakota ;  migrates  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  woods,  in  undergrowth,  or  hung  from  lower  branches  of  small 
trees,  like  that  of  the  red-eye,  but  often  decorated  with  catkins.  Eggs  : 
usually  5,  white,  spotted  mainly  with  reddish  brown  around  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Chiefly  insects. 

629a.  V.  s.  cassinii  (Xantus).  CASSIN  VEREO. 
Adults.  —  Top  and  sides  of  head  gray  in  sharp  contrast  to  white  of  loral 
streak,  orbital  ring,  and  throat;  back  dull 
olive  green ;  wings  with  two  clear  white 
bands ;  under  parts  clear  white,  washed 
with  yellow  and  olive  on  sides  and  flanks. 
Young  in  first  winter :  dull  grayish  brown 
above,  dull  buffy  below.  Length :  5.00— 
5.60,  wing  2.85-3.00,  tail  2.10-2.30,  bill 
from  nostril  .28-.31,  tarsus  .70-.78. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  British  Co- 
lumbia  and  Idaho  south  along  the  Pacific 
coast  region   and  Nevada  to   Lower  Cali- 
Fig.  491.  f ornia ;  migrates  to  Arizona,  New  Mexico, 

and  northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  oaks,  manzanita,  and  buck  brush,  pendant,  compactly  woven 
and  lined  with  light-colored  grasses,  decorated  with  pieces  of  white  cocoon. 
Eggs  :  4  or  5. 


VIREOS  397 

The  Cassin  vireo  is  more  often  heard  in  the  oaks  and  conifers  than 
the  warbling,  though  it  also  frequents  alders  and  aspens.  In  south- 
ern California,  Mr.  Grinnell  finds  it  breeding  in  the  mountain  canyons 
from  the  foothills  to  4000  feet,  and  Mr.  Anthony,  writing  from  Ore- 
gon, says,  "Its  clear,  metallic  notes  ring  through  our  forests  from 
earliest  dawn  until  dark." 

629b.  V.  S.  plumbeus  (Coues).    PLUMBEOUS  VIREO. 

Adults.  —  Entire  upper  parts  and  sides  of  head  dark  gray,  in  sharp  con- 
trast to  white  loral  streak,  orbital  ring,  throat,  and  wing  bars ;  under 
parts  white,  sides  and  flanks  strongly  tinged  with  olive  gray.  Young : 
similar,  but  upper  parts  more  or  less  tinged  with  brown,  and  sides  with 
more  olivaceous.  Length:  5.75-6.15,  wing  3.05-3.30,  tail  2.30-2.55,  bill 
from  nostril  .30-35. 

Remarks.  —  In  the  plumbeous  vireo  the  contrasts  between  the  gray  and 
white  markings  of  the  head  and  under  parts  are  the  same  as  in  other 
members  of  the  solitarius  group,  but  in  plumbeus  there  is  hardly  a  trace  of 
the  olive  on  back  and  sides  which  mark  the  other  members  of  the  group. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  southern  Rocky  Mountain  region  from  the 
Black  Hills  westward  to  the  desert  ranges  of  the  Great  Basin  ;  also  in 
northern  Mexico  ;  migrates  from  southern  Wyoming  to  southern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  pine  or  oak,  pendant,  made  of  inner  bark  and  vegetable  fibers, 
lined  with  fine  grass  stems  and  rootlets,  and  decorated  with  lichen,  cocoon 
cases,  web,  plant  blossoms,  and  sometimes  feathers.  Eggs  :  often  4,  white, 
lightly  specked  around  the  larger  end  with  black  and  brown. 

In  the  wooded  canyons  of  the  Guadalupe  Mountains  in  Texas  the 
loud,  rich  whistle  of  plumbeus  often  calls  your  attention  to  the  gray 
bird  with  the  white  eye  rings  who  stops  his  work  to  sing  in  a  sunny 
pine  top.  There  is  something  peculiarly  attractive  about  him ;  it 
may  be  the  harmony  of  his  quaker  garb  with  his  sweet,  rich  voice 
and  quiet  ways. 

In  New  Mexico,  through  the  breeding  season,  Mr.  Henshaw  found 
the  birds  as  high  as  10,000  feet ;  but  in  migration  he  found  that  they 
scattered  over  the  country,  taking  to  the  deciduous  trees  along 
streams. 

Subgenus  Vireo. 

Spurious  primary  equal  to  or  longer  than  tarsus. 

630.  Vireo  atricapillus  Woodh.    BLACK-CAPPED  VIREO. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  and  sides  of  head  black  in  sharp  contrast  to  white 
loral  streak,  orbital  ring,  and  median  under  parts  ; 
back  bright  olive  green ;  wing  bar  yellowish  white. 
Adult  female :  similar,  but  duller,  and  black  of 
head  usually  slaty.  Young  in  first  winter :  top  and 
sides  of  head  dull  brownish  ;  lores,  orbital  ring, 
and  median  under  parts  dull  buffy ;  upper  parts 
brownish  green.  Length  :  4.40-4.75,  wing  2. 15- 
2.30,  tail  1.80-2.00. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  southwestern  Kan-  Fig  490. 

sas  to  central  and  western  Texas ;  winters  in  south- 
ern Mexico. 


398  VIREOS 

Nest.  —  Hung  in  thickets,  in  bushes,  or  small  trees,  2  to  6  feet  from  the 
ground,  made  of  dry  leaves,  cocoons,  and  spiders'  webs,  lined  with  fibers  of 
grass  and  bark.  Eggs  :  usually  3,  plain  white. 

Food.  —  (3  stomachs)  caterpillars. 

At  Pecos  High  Bridge,  in  the  bottom  of  the  Pecos  River  canyon, 
which  rang  with  the  songs  of  an  hepatic  tanager,  canyon  wrens,  and 
cardinals,  we  were  delighted  to  find  the  rare  little  spectacled  black- 
cap actually  common,  adding  his  loud  song  to  the  rich  canyon 
chorus.  His  song  was  unusually  varied  for  a  vireo,  though  of  the 
general  character  of  the  white-eye  or  bellii  type  rather  than  that  of 
gilvus.  One  song  contained  a  run,  and  its  last  notes  were  liquid, 
loud,  and  emphatic,  something  like  come  here,  right  -now  -quick'  ,  or 
there  now,  wait-a-bit.  The  alarm-note  was  hoarse. 

The  calm  deliberation  of  the  vireo  blood  seems  wanting  in  the 
black-cap  even  though  he  does  live  in  Texas.  He  hops  about  or 
flies  around  in  the  most  alert,  energetic  way.  A  pair  were  busy 
building  in  a  dense  vine  grown  thicket  against  one  of  the  canyon 
walls,  that  is  to  say,  the  male  was  busy  singing  near  by  while  his 
mate  worked  on  the  nest,  weaving  spider  web  over  the  skeleton 
leaves  and  cocoon  cases. 

Though  the  black-caps  are  partial  to  ravines,  Mr.  Bailey  found 
them  common  on  scrub-oak  ridges  about  Kerrville,  hunting  low  in 
the  scrub  oaks  and  junipers. 

631.  Vireo  noveboracensis  (GmeL).    WHITE-EYED  VDREO. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  bright  olive  green,  wings  with  two  sharply 
marked  bands  ;  lores,  forehead,  and  orbital  ring  bright  yellow  ;  throat  and 
chest  white,  sides  and  flanks  bright  sulphur  yellow.  Young  :  olive  gray, 
greener  posteriorly  ;  wings  crossed  with  two  buffy  bands  ;  under  parts 
white,  buffy  on  flanks  ;  loral  streak  white.  Length  :  4.50-5.00,  wing  2.35- 
2.50,  tail  1.90-2.10,  bill  from  base  .55-.  58,  bill  from  nostril  .27-.30,  tarsus 


Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  New 
England  south  to  Louisiana  and  northern  Texas,  west  to  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains ;  winters  from  Florida  to  Guatemala  and  Honduras. 

Nest.  —  Hung  in  bushes  or  vines,  in  thickets  or  along  borders  of  woods 
or  swamps,  seldom  over  4  feet  from  the  ground  ;  made  of  vegetable  fibers, 
leaves,  mosses,  and  lichens,  lined  with  stems  of  weeds  and  grasses.  Eggs  : 
4  or  5,  white,  lightly  spotted  with  purple  and  reddish  brown  around  the 
larger  end. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  their  larvae. 

The  white-eyed  vireo  ranges  west  as  far  as  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
and  in  Kansas,  Colonel  Goss  says,  lives  in  thickets  of  briars  and 
vines  on  the  low  prairies,  and  also  on  the  edges  of  woods  bordering 
streams  and  swamps.  In  Bermuda,  where  its  jolly  little  relative 
abounds,  it  is  known  as  the  '  chick  of  the  village/  and  its  song  is 
rendered  as  Chick-a-dee-chick'  -de-mllet. 


VIREOS  399 

63 Ic.  V.  n.  micrus  Nelson.    SMALL  WHITE-EYED  VIKEO. 

Like  noveboracensis,  but  smaller  and  duller  colored,  with  a  paler  wash 
of  yellow  on  flanks.  Wing :  2.29,  tail  1.97,  bill  .38,  tarsus  .78. 

Distribution.  —  Rio  Grande  Valley,  Texas,  to  central  Tamaulipas,  Mex- 
ico. 

The  breeding  range  of  the  small  white-eyed  vireo  in  Texas  extends 
from  Kinney  and  Lasalle  counties  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

632.  Vireo  button!  Cass.    HUTTON  VIREO. 

Adults.  —  Lores  and  orbital  ring-  dull  whitish ;  upper  parts  dull  olive 
brown,  greener  on  rump,  wings,  and  tail ;  wing  bars  narrow,  white  ;  under 
parts  dingy,  tinged  on  sides  with  olive  yellow  ;  spurious  primary  well 
developed.  Young :  similar,  but  upper  parts  lighter  brown,  sides  of  head 
buffy  brown,  under  parts  paler.  Length :  4.25-4.75,  wing  2.40-2.45,  tail 
2.00-2.10,  bill  from  nostril  .2G-.29,  tarsus  .72-.76. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  and  central  California,  west  and  south  of  the 
Sierra  Nevada. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Cohen,  hung  in  scrub  oak  heavily  draped  with 
moss;  made  mainly  of  moss.  Eggs:  usually  4,  white,  lightly  dotted 
around  larger  end  with  shades  of  brown. 

Mr.  Grinnell  says  that  the  Hutton  vireo  is  common  throughout 
the  year  in  Los  Angeles  County.  While  occurring  from  the  willow 
regions  of  the  lowlands  up  to  6000  feet  in  the  mountains,  it  prefers 
the  oak  regions  of  the  mesas  and  foothills. 

632a.  V.  h.  Stephens!  Brewst.    STEPHENS  VIKEO. 

Similar  to  huttoni,  but  paler ;  olive  gray  above,  greenish  toward  tail ;  wing 
bands  pure  white,  broader.  Length  :  4.90-5.20,  wing  2.50-2.65,  tail  2.10- 
2.20,  bill  from  nostril  .25-.oO,  tarsus  .70-. 75. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  of  western  Texas,  Arizona,  Mexico,  and  Lower 
California. 

632b.  V.  h.  obscurus  Anthony.    ANTHONY  VIREO. 

Like  huttoni,  but  averaging  smaller,  with  plumage  darker  and  olive 
tints  brighter. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  the  Pacific  coast  from  British  Columbia  south 
to  Oregon,  and  winters  in  California. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Bowles,  hung  from  twigs  of  a  young  fir,  9  feet. 
from  the  ground,  woven  of  hanging  moss  and  lined  with  fine  dried  grasses 
thickly  interwoven.  Eggs:  2,  white,  marked  about  the  larger  end  with 
black  spots. 

633.  Vireo  bellii  And.    BELL  VIREO. 

Loral  streak  and  orbital  ring  dull  white ;  upper  parts  brownish  olive, 
olive  green  on  rump;  wings  and  tail  brownish,  wing  bars  narrow,  dull 
white ;  throat  white ;  rest  of  under  parts  washed  with  sulphur  yellow  ; 
under  tail  and  wing  coverts  yellow.  Length :  4.20-5.25,  wing  2.05-2.30, 
tail  1.80-1.95,  bill  from  nostril  .28-.30,  tarsus  .70-.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  and  on  the  Great  Plains, 
from  Indiana  to  Dakota,  and  south  through  Texas  to  Mexico ;  accidental 
in  New  Hampshire. 

Nest.  —  Hung  from  vines  or  forks  of  twigs,  made  of  plant  fibers  and 


400  VIREOS 

dead  leaves,   lined   with  stems   and  sometimes  hairs.     Eggs :  usually  4, 
white,  thinly  spotted  around  larger  end  with  reddish  brown. 
Food .  —  Insects  and  their  larvae. 

The  Bell  vireo  is  a  common  bird  in  its  range,  abounding  in  the 
pium  thickets  of  Nebraska,  dense  patches  of  brush  and  briers  in 
Kansas,  and  the  tangled  inesquite  woods  of  southern  Texas. 

Its  song,  like  that  of  many  vireos,  is  heard  all  through  the  hot 
noonday  hours.  It  resembles  that  of  the  white-eye,  but  leaves  off 
the  interrogative  eh  ?  after  the  who-are-you  ?  It  has  a  harsh,  scold- 
ing note,  Mr.  Henshaw  says,  which  it  often  repeats  as  it  goes 
through  the  brush  searching  for  food. 

633.1.  Vireo  pusillus  Coues.    LEAST  VIREO. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  gray,  faintly  tinged  with  olive  on  rump,  wings, 
and  tail ;  wings  with  one  and  sometimes  two  narrow  bars ;  lores  gray  and 
white  ;  under  parts  white,  sides  washed  with  olive.  Young :  lores  wholly 
white  ;  top  of  head  and  hind  neck  pale  brown  ;  back  dull  green,  rump 
greenish.  Length:  4.80-5.25,  wing  2.10-2.30,  tail  2.03-2.20,  bill  from 
nostril  .25-29,  tarsus  .70-.80. 

Distribution.  —  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  in  Arizona  and  Califor- 
nia ;  south  to  Cape  St.  Lucas  and  northwestern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes,  in  thickets.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  white,  lightly  dotted  with 
brown,  more  thickly  around  the  larger  end. 

The  least  vireo  is  common  in  southern  California  in  the  willow 
regions  and  along  streams  up  to  the  foothills. 

634.  Vireo  vicinior  Coues.    GRAY  VIREO.  , 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  and  sides  of  head  dull  gray,  with  faint  tinge  of 
greenish  on  rump ;  lores  and  orbital  ring  white ;  wings  brownish  with 
wing  band  indistinct  or  wanting ;  .under  parts  clouded  grayish  white. 
Young :  like  adults,  but  upper  parts  with  brownish  tinge  and  wing  bar 
buffy  white.  Length  :  5.60-5.75,  wing  2.50-2.60,  tail  2.40-2.55. 

Remarks.  —  The  gray  vireo  differs  from  the  plumbeous  in  its  duller, 
less  sharply  contrasted  coloration  and  absence  of  striking  wing  bars. 

Distribution.  —  From  western  Texas  to  southern  California  and  from 
southern  Nevada  to  northwestern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  thorny  bushes  or  trees,  4  to  6  feet  from  the  ground,  some- 
times supported  underneath  or  on  sides  so  that  it  is  not  pensile  ;  made  of 
loosely  woven  coarse  grass  and  mesquite  bark  lined  with  fine  grasses. 
Eggs  :  3  or  4,  white,  sparsely  marked  with  irregular  spots,  chiefly  around 
larger  end. 

In  the  foothills  of  the  Santa  Catalina  Mountains  Mr.  Scott  found 
the  gray  vireo  breeding  in  comparative  abundance  where  the  oaks 
begin  at  the  upper  edge  of  the  mesquite. 

Mr.  Henshaw  found  it  in  New  Mexico  frequenting  rocky  hills  cov- 
ered with  scanty  growth  of  bushes  and  scrub.  In  hunting,  he  says 
it  takes  a  middle  line  between  that  of  the  treetop  solitary  vireos 
and  the  low  hunting  white-eyed  group,  spending  most  of  its  time 


WOOD  WARBLERS  401 

from  six  to  twelve  feet  from  the  ground.  In  a  juniper  gulch  in 
New  Mexico  I  had  the  pleasure  of  stroking  one  of  the  birds  on  its 
nest. 


FAMILY   MNIOTILTID.S! :    WOOD   WARBLERS. 

KEY   TO   GENERA. 

1.  Gape  with  conspicuous  bristles. 
2.  Under  parts  mainly  clear  yellow Wilsonia,  p.  427. 

2'.  Under  parts  marked  with  red,  orange,  or  yellow  (except    *^£.  o 
young  Cardellind).  ^\   5 

Fig.  493. 
3.  Bill  broad  and  much  flattened  at  base     .     .     Setophaga,  p.  429. 

^^**  -"i*^. 

3'.  Bill  narrow  and  deep  at  base.     Face  and  throat  red  in    <=v  -CD- 
adults,  brown  in  young      .     .     .     Cardellina,  p.  430.  ^\     j. 

Fig.  494. 
1'.  Gape  without  conspicuous  bristles. 

2.  Tarsus  about  equal  to  middle  toe  and  claw ; 
upper  parts  conspicuously   streaked  with 
black  and  white     .     .     Mniotilta,  p.  402. 
Fig.  495.  Fig.  496. 

2'.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw ; 
upper  parts  not  distinctly  streaked  with 
black  and  white.  Fig.  497. 

3.  Bill  deep,  and  strongly  curved    .     .     Icteria,  p.  426. 

3'.  Bill  not  deep,  nor  strongly  curved. 
Fig.  498.  4.  Bill  narrowly  wedge-shaped. 

5.  Rictal   bristles   obvious ;  upper  parts  blue  with 
olive  patch    .     .     .    Compsothlypis,  p.  406. 

Fig.  499.         5'.  Rictal   bristles    obsolete ;    upper   parts  not  blue 
with  olive  patch    .    Helminth  ophila,  p.  402. 

4'.  Bill  slenderly  conical. 

5.  Tail  marked  with  white  or  yellow.          Fig.  600. 

Dendroica,  p.  407. 
5'.  Tail  not  marked  with  white  or  yellow. 

6.  Tarsus  less  than  one  third  as  long  as  wing ; 
under  parts  streaked  .     .     Seiurus,  p.  423. 
6'.  Tarsus  decidedly  more  than  one  third  as  long 
as  wing ;  under  parts   not  streaked  ;    partly 
yellow G-eothlypis,  p.  424. 


402  WOOD  WARBLERS 

GENUS   MNIOTILTA. 

636.  Mniotilta  varia  (Linn.).     BLACK  AND  WHITE  WARBLER. 
Bill  shorter  than  head,  very  slender,  notched  and  slightly  decurved  at 
tip ;  rictal  bristles  minute  ;  wing  long,  pointed  ;  tarsus  about 
one  fourth  as  long  as  wing  or  less,  its  scutella  rather  indistinct ; 
middle  toe  with  claw  about  equal  to  tarsus.  Adult  male:  whole 
bird  streaked  glossy  blue  black  and  white  except  for  plain  white 
Fig.  501.        on  middle  of  belly  ;  throat  closely  streaked,  sometimes  solid 
black;  wing  with  two  white  bars ;  tail  with  white  spots  near  end 
on  inner  webs  of  two  outer  feathers.      Young  male :  similar  to  adult  male, 
but  throat  white,  unstreaked,  and  markings  duller.     Adult  female  :  similar 
to  young  male,  but  duller,  the  black  not  so  deep,  and  white  of  under  parts 
dingy.     Male :  length  (skins)  4.30-4.75,  wing  2.62-2.79,  tail  1.68-2.01,  bill 
.40-.51.     Female:  length  (skins)  4.30-4.65,  wing  2.56-2.66,  tail  1.79-1.91, 
bill  .40-.48. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Plains  and  from  Fort 
Simpson  to  Virginia  and  southern  Kansas ;  winters  in  the  Gulf  states, 
West  Indies,  and  south  to  South  America ;  accidental  in  California. 

Nest.  —  Imbedded  in  ground  in  woods,  made  of  plant  fibers,  grasses, 
moss,  and  leaves,  lined  with  stems  and  hair ;  sometimes  partially  roofed 
over.  Eggs :  4  or  5,  creamy  white,  thickly  speckled,  chiefly  on  larger  end, 
with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Insects  and  their  eggs  and  larvae. 

GENUS   HELMINTHOPHILA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  narrowly  wedge- 
shaped,  straight,  tip  without  notch,  very  acute ;  rictal  bristles  obsolete ; 
wing  with  three  or  four  outermost  primaries  abruptly  longest ;  tarsus 
nearly  one  third  as  long  as  wing  (except  in  H.  peregrina),  its  scutella 
indistinct. 

KEY   TO   ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Crown  patch  chestnut. 

2.  Rump  chestnut     .     .     . luciae,  p.  402. 

2'.  Rump  yellowish  green. 
3.  Under  parts  white  with  yellow  chest  patch  .     .    virginiae,  p.  403. 

3'.  Under   parts   bright  yellow.     Rocky  Mountains   to 
California gutturalis,  p.  404. 

1'.  Crown  patch  orange  or  wanting. 

2.  Crown  patch  orange  ;  under  parts  yellow. 

3.  Under  parts  dull  yellow.     Rocky  Mountains.     .     .  celata,  p.  404. 
3'.  Under  parts  bright  greenish  yellow.     Rocky  Mountains  to  Pacific 


4.  Lighter.     Western  States lutescens,  p.  405. 

4'.  Darker.     California  Islands sordida,  p.  405. 

2'.  Crown  patch  wanting ;  under  parts  grayish  white. 

peregrina,  p.  406. 

648.  Helminthophila  lucise  (Cooper).    LUCY  WARBLER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Upper  parts  gray,  crown  chestnut, 
feathers  more  or  less  tipped  with  gray  ;  upper  tail  coverts  bright  chestnut ; 


WOOD  WARBLERS  403 

lores,  eye  ring-,  and  under  parts  white,  tinged  with  brownish  on  sides  and 
buffy  on  chest.  Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer :  like  summer  male, 
but  chestnut  of  crown  and  upper  tail  coverts  lighter,  crown  patch  re- 
stricted, sometimes  obsolete.  Adult  male  in  fall  and  winter :  upper  parts 
tinged  with  brown ;  crown  patch  concealed  by  gray  tips  to  feathers ; 
under  parts  brownish  buff,  becoming  whitish  on  belly.  Young  in  first 
plumage :  like  adults,  but  without  crown  patch  ;  upper  tail  coverts  buffy 
brown  instead  of  chestnut;  wings  with  two  bars;  under  parts  white. 
Male:  length  (skins)  3.60-4.05,  wing  2.17-2.29,  tail  1.62-1.73,  bill  .33-.3S. 
Female:  length  (skins)  3.62-3.75,  wing  2.03-2.08,  tail  1.47-1.57,  bill  .30- 
.35. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  the  Santa  Clara 
Valley,  Utah,  south  through  Arizona  and  Sonora  to  Jalisco,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  deserted  woodpecker  holes,  behind  bark  of  trees,  in 
giant  cactus,  or  by  roots  along  river  banks,  2  to  20  feet  from  the  ground, 
made  of  fine  straws,  leaves,  horsehair,  and  feathers.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  white 
or  creamy,  finely  speckled,  usually  in  dense  ring  around  larger  end,  with 
reddish  brown. 

Mr.  O.  W.  Howard  found  the  Lucy  warblers  fairly  common  along 
the  river-bottoms  throughout  southern  Arizona,  especially  in  the 
willow  and  mesquite  thickets,  and  Mr.  Scott  found'  them  breeding 
at  the  base  of  the  Santa  Catalina  Mountains  up  to  4000  feet. 

Among  the  nests  found  by  Mr.  Howard  some  were  in  deserted 
verdin  and  woodpecker  nests.  He  says  that  many  are  destroyed  by 
wood  rats  and  snakes. 

644.  Helminthophila  virginise  (Baird).    VIRGINIA  WARBLER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Upper  parts  gray,  rump  and  upper 
tail  coverts  bright  yellowish  green  ;  crown  with  chestnut  patch  concealed  by 
gray  tips  in  fresh  plumage  ;  orbital  ring  white,  conspicuous  ;  under  parts 
dull  white  with  chest  and  usually  throat  yellow.  Adult  female  in  spring  and 
summer :  Like  adult  male,  but  duller,  especially  on  rump  and  upper  tail 
coverts ;  crown  patch  restricted,  sometimes  almost  obsolete  ;  back  browner. 
Adult  male  in  fall  and  winter :  like  summer  male,  but  yellow  duller,  crown 
patch  concealed  by  grayish  tips  to  feathers;  upper  parts  and  flanks 
strongly  tinged  with  brown.  Young  in  first  plumage  :  two  wing  bars  dull 
buffy ;  under  parts  brownish  gray ;  median  parts  of  breast  and  belly 
white.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.08-4.30,  wing  2.40-2.42,  bill  .35-.39.  Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  4,  wing  2.26-2.38,  tail  1.79-1.84,  bill  .37. 

Distribution.  —  Rocky  Mountain  region  of  the  United  States  from  Wy- 
oming to  Nevada  and  south  to  Guanajuato  and  Jalisco. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground  under  a  bush  or  tuft  of  grass  ;  made  of  straws, 
rootlets,  and  fibers,  loosely  put  together.  Eggs :  often  4,  creamy  white, 
finely  and  rather  densely  speckled  over  whole  surface  or  around  larger  end 
with  chestnut  and  purplish  gray. 

Mr.  Ridgway  found  the  Virginia  warbler  common  in  the  Hum- 
boldt  and  Wasatch  Mountains,  and  Mr.  O.  W.  Howard  states  that  it 
is  quite  common  in  the  pine  regions  of  Arizona  above  5000  feet.  In 
Colorado  Mr.  Aiken  rarely  finds  it  above  7500  feet,  and  he  thinks  that 
it  prefers  the  foothills. 

Unlike  other  warblers  found  in  Arizona,  Mr.  Howard  says,  during 


404  WOOD   WARBLERS 

the  summer  it  stays  almost  wholly  in  the  underbrush,  where  it  keeps 
continually  on  the  move,  uttering  a  quick  chirp  as  it  goes. 

During  the  migrations,  Mr.  Aiken  reports,  it  has  been  found 
among  cottonwoods  and  willows  bordering  streams,  and  often  among 
the  pines.  He  says  :  ' '  The  male  is  very  musical  during  the  nesting 
season,  uttering  his  sweet  little  ditty  continually  as  he  skips  through 
the  bushes  in  search  of  his  morning  repast ;  or,  having  satisfied  his 
appetite,  he  mounts  to  the  top  of  some  tree  in  the  neighborhood 
of  his  nest,  and  repeats  at  regular  intervals  a  song  of  remarkable 
fullness  for  a  bird  of  such  minute  proportions." 

645 a.   Helminthophila  rubricapilla   gutturalis  (Eidgw.). 

CALAVERAS  WARBLER. 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  bright  yellow ;  upper  part  of  head  gray,  with 
conspicuous  white  orbital  ring-  and  chestnut 
crown  patch,  but  feathers  tipped  with  gray ; 
back  olive  green,  brightening  to  yellowish 
green  on  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts ;  wings 
and  tail  unmarked.  Adult  female :  similar, 
but  duller,  and  crown  with  little  if  any  chest- 
nut. Young:  throat,  chest,  and  under  tail 
coverts  dull  yellowish ;  belly  buff y  brown ; 
upper  parts  brownish  gray,  becoming  olive 
gray  on  rump.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.05- 

4.75,  wing  2.32-2.46,  tail  1.70-1.88,  bill  .37-.40.    Female:  length  (skins) 
3.85-4.10,  wing  2.12-2.19,  tail  1.53-1.62,  bill  .34-.3S. 

Remarks.  —  The  sharply  contrasting  yellow  throat  and  gray  sides  of 
head  make  a  striking  field  character. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  mountains  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones 
from  the  Pacific  coast  of  North  America  eastward  during  migrations  to 
the  Rocky  Mountains  and  central  Texas,  and  from  British  Columbia  south 
to  Lower  California  and  northern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  made  of  weed  stems,  grasses,  and  bark, 
lined  with  soap-root  fiber.  Eggs :  usually  5,  creamy  white,  spotted  with 
reddish  brown  mixed  with  lavender  in  wreath  around  larger  end. 

In  California  the  Calaveras  warbler  is  often  met  with  in  the 
chaparral.  It  looks  up  at  you  shyly  as  it  clings  to  the  stalk  of  a 
bush,  and  you  have  barely  time  to  note  how  the  dark  sides  of  its 
throat  contrast  with  its  yellow  body  before  it  has  hopped  off  to  a 
twig  and  is  making  its  way  through  its  dense  little  forest.  In  the 
breeding  season,  at  Fort  Klamath,  Oregon,  Dr.  Merrill  says,  it  hunts 
mostly  among  the  aspens,  though  flying  up  occasionally  into  the 
pines.  He  compares  its  song,  which  is  loud  and  constant,  to  that  of 
the  yellow  warbler. 

646.  Helminthophila  celata  (Say).  ORANGE-CROWNED  WARBLER. 
Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  dull  olive  green,  brighter  on  rump  ;  some- 
times tinged  with  gray,  especially  on  head ;  crown  with  dull  orange  patch 
concealed  except  in  worn  midsummer  plumage  by  grayish  olive  tips  to 
feathers  ;  orbital  ring  and  superciliary  yellow  ;  under  parts  dull  yellowish, 


WOOD  WARBLERS  405 

indistinctly  streaked  with  darker  on  throat  and  chest.  Adult  female:  crown 
patch  usually  duller  and  restricted,  sometimes  obsolete.  Young :  generally 
without  crown  patch.  Young  in  first  plumage :  crown  patch  wanting; 
upper  parts  dull  olive ;  wings  with  two  light  bands ;  belly  white ;  rest  of 
under  parts  brownish  gray,  tinged  with  buffy.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.25- 
4.80,  wing  2.39-2.49,  tail  1.92-2.07,  bill  .37-.41.  Female :  length  (skins) 
4.35-4.65,  wing  2.26-2.33,  tail  1.78-1.94,  bill  .37-.42. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Yukon  and  Mackenzie  River  districts 
south  through  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  New  Mexico ;  migrates  to  south- 
eastern United  States  and  central  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  hidden  in  a  bank  or  among  bushes  ;  made  of 
strips  of  bark,  plant  stems,  and  grasses,  lined  with  grasses,  or  hair  and  fur. 
Eggs :  4  to  6,  white  or  creamy,  finely  speckled,  chiefly  around  the  larger 
end  with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Leaf  worms  and  other  insects. 

646a.  H.  c.  lutescens  (Ridgw.).    LUTESCENT  WARBLER. 

Similar  to  celata,  but  brighter  colored ;  upper  parts  bright  olive  green ; 
under  parts  bright  greenish  yellow,  streaks  on  under  parts  dull  olive  greenish. 
Young  in  first  plumage  :  upper  parts  olive  green,  wing  bars  paler  or  buffy  ; 
under  parts  buffy  or  straw  color  shaded  with  olive  on  chest,  sides,  and 
flanks.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.20-4.45,  wing  2.29-2.41,  tail  1.76-1.93,  bill 
.37-.38.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.00-4.40,  wing  2.24-2.40,  tail  1.80-1.85, 
bill  .39-.40. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  along  the  Pacific  coast  from  Kadiak  to  the  moun- 
tains of  southern  California ;  east  in  migrations  to  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
south  to  Mexico  and  Central  America. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  in  cavities  in  banks  or  in  ferns  along  small 
streams.  Eggs :  4  or  5,  colored  like  those  of  the  orange-crowned. 

The  lutescent  warbler  is  often  seen  during  migration  stretching 
up  for  an  insect  on  top  of  the  chaparral,  or  darting  out  from  the 
blooming  top  of  an  oak,  with  whose  golden  brown  tassels  the  pretty 
bird  harmonizes.  He  seems  a  peculiarly  dainty,  airy  little  creature, 
his  wings  lifting  him  off  his  feet  if  an  insect  is  a  bit  beyond  his 
reach,  and  holding  him  up  like  a  hummingbird  under  an  oak  tassel, 
or  carrying  him  about  from  branch  to  branch  while  he  looks  for 
food,  warbling  his  short  lay  in  the  intervals.  In  the  breeding  season 
he  goes  to  the  mountain  sides  where  he  is  found  in  the  shrubbery, 
in  aspens,  or  on  the  ground,  sometimes  above  an  altitude  of  11,000 
feet. 

646b.  H.  c.  SOrdida  Towns.    DUSKY  WARBLER. 

Like  lutescens,  but  decidedly  darker,  bill  and  feet  larger,  wing  shorter, 
tail  longer.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.35-4.70,  wing  2.27-2.36,  tail  1.94-1.97, 
bill  .42-.47.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.60-4.70,  wing  2.23-2.26,  tail  1.93- 
1.97,  bill  .41. 

Distribution.  —  Santa  Barbara  Islands,  California;  visiting  adjoining 
mainland  after  the  breeding  season. 

Mr.  Grinnell  states  that  dusky  warblers  appear  in  the  vicinity  of 
Pasadena  in  July  or  August  in  large  numbers  in  the  oak  regions 
and  along  the  arroyos. 


406  WOOD  WARBLERS 

647.  Helminthophila  peregrina  (Wils.).    TENNESSEE   WAR- 
BLER. 

Adult  male.  —  Crown  and  hind  neck  dark  gray  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  olive 
green ;  loral  streak  dark  gray  bordered  by  white  above  ;  under  parts  whit- 
ish ;  wings  and  tail  unmarked,  tail  gray,  feathers  with  outer  webs  edged  with 
olive  green,  inner  webs  with  white,  outside  feather  usually  with  a  white 
spot.  Adult  female :  similar,  but  gray  of  head  more  or  less  mixed  with 
green,  and  superciliary  and  under  parts  lightly  washed  with  olive  yellow. 
Young  male  in  first  autumn:  upper  parts  olive  green,  including  crown  and 
hind  neck  ;  under  parts  strongly  tinged  with  olive  yellow  except  for  white 
belly  and  under  wing  and  tail  coverts.  Young  female  in  first  autumn :  like 
young  males,  but  yellow  brighter.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.05-4.70,  wing 
2.46-2.67,  tail  1.61-1.81,  bill  .37-.39.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.20-4.70, 
wing  2.30-2.40,  tail  1.54-1.67,  bill  .37-.40. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Alaska,  British  Columbia,  Great  Slave  Lake, 
and  Hudson  Bay  south  to  the  northern  United  States ;  migrates  mainly 
through  the  Mississippi  Valley  south  to  Cuba  and  northern  South  America  ; 
accidental  in  southern  California. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  made  largely  of  grass,  leaves,  and  moss, 
sometimes  with  hair  lining.  Eggs :  4  or  5,  white,  spotted  with  reddish 
brown  around  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Winged  insects,  caterpillars,  and  other  leaf -eating  insects. 

The  Tennessee  warbler  is  a  rare  migrant  in  the  eastern  part  of 
Colorado,  passing  north  the  latter  half  of  May.  In  Kansas,  Colonel 
Goss  says,  it  is  found  in  low  bushes,  in  tall  weeds,  about  gardens 
and  orchards,  along  banks  of  streams,  and  the  edges  of  woodland. 

GENUS  COMPSOTHLYPIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  narrowly  wedge- 
shaped  and  acute,  but  distinctly  curved,  at  least  toward  tip ;  rictal  bristles 
distinct ;  wing  tip  decidedly  shorter  than  tarsus ;  tarsus  decidedly  less 
than  one  third  as  long  as  wing,  its  scales  indistinct. 

KEY  TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Eyelids  white usneae,  p.  406. 

1'.  Eyelids  dusky.     Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley,  Texas,    nigrilora,  p.  407. 

648a.  Compsothlypis  americana  usnese  Brewster.  NORTHERN 

PARULA  WARBLER. 

Adult  male.  —  Sides  of  head  and  upper  parts  bluish  gray,  with  triangular 
olive  green  patch  on  back  ;  wings  with  two  white  bars,  tail  with 
white  spots  on  inner  webs  of  two  outer  feathers ;  throat  and 
breast  yellow,  chest  more  or  less  tinged  with  orange  brown,  and 
often  crossed  by  blackish  band ;  feathers  sometimes  tipped 
with  chestnut ;  eyelids  white  ;  lores  black.     Adult  female : 
Fig.  504.      similar,  but  colors  duller,  less  pronounced.     Young  in  first 
autumn :  whole  upper  parts  tinged  with  olive  green,  under 
parts  pale  yellow.      Young:  yellow  of  under  parts  replaced  by  grayish, 
chin  tinged  with  yellow  ;  upper  parts  grayish,  more  olive  on  back.     Male : 
length  (skins)  3.82-4.45,  wing  2.24-2.48,  tail  1.55-1.77,  bill  .3S-.43.     Fe- 
male: length  (skins)  3.66-4.13,  wing  2.13-2.34,  tail  1.52-1.65,  bill  .35-.41. 
Distribution.  —  Breeds  chiefly  in  Canadian  zone  north  of  41°,  but  locally 


WOOD   WARBLERS  407 

from  the  Atlantic  to  the  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains ;  migrates  to  the 
West  Indies,  eastern  Mexico,  and  Nicaragua ;  casual  in  Greenland. 

Nest.  —  Placed  within  hanging  tufts  of  lichens  or  '  beard '  mosses, 
bunches  of  dead  leaves  or  other  rubbish,  caught  on  hanging  branches 
during  freshets.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  white  or  creamy,  thickly  speckled  with 
reddish  brown,  chiefly  around  larger  end. 

Food .  —  Insects. 

The  parula  warbler  is  taken  occasionally  in  southeastern  Colorado. 
It  is  most  at  home  in  swampy  woods,  where  it  may  be  seen  in  the 
treetops  quietly  looking  for  insects,  raising  its  head  as  it  hunts  so 
that  the  dark  chest  band  shows  to  good  advantage. 

649.  Compsothlypis  nigrilora  (Coues).    SENNETT  WARBLER. 

Adult  male :  Upper  parts  bluish  gray  with  olive  green  patch  on  back ; 
wings  with  two  broad  white  bands ;  throat,  breast,  and  sides  yellow,  be- 
coming saffron  on  chest ;  rest  of  under  parts  white,  sides  tinged  with  gray- 
ish and  sometimes  brown  ;  eyelids  dusky ;  lores  blackish.  Adult  female  : 
similar,  but  slightly  smaller  and  much  duller;  upper  parts  tinged  with 
olive  green  ;  lores  grayish  dusky,  under  parts  paler  yellow.  Length  :  4.25- 
4.75,  wing  2.00-2.20,  tail  1.58-1.75. 

Distribution.  —  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas  and  southward  to 
Nuevo  Leon,  Tamaulipas,  and  southeastern  San  Luis  Potosi. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Sennett,  a  cavity  excavated  in  a  mistletoe- 
like  air-plant,  lined  with  cottony  wood  fibers.  Eggs :  dull  white,  flecked 
with  lilac  and  brown  over  the  whole  surface,  and  with  a  broad  band  around 
the  larger  end. 

GENUS   DENDROICA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  slenderly  conical,  tapering  gradually  to  tip  ; 
rictal  bristles  obsolete  ;  tarsus  a  quarter  to  a  third  as  long  as 
wing  ;  scutella  indistinct. 


Fig.  505.  KEY   TO  ADULT   MALES   IN   SPRING. 

1.  Throat  yellow  or  orange  yellow. 


2.  Throat  orange blackburnise,  p.  417. 


2'.  Throat  yellow. 

3.  Tail  with  yellow  patches  on  outer  tail  feathers. 


4.  Under  parts  yellow,  broadly  streaked  with  reddish 
brown aestiva.  p.  411. 

r* 

Fig.  507. 

4'.  Under  parts  yellow,  narrowly  streaked  with  reddish 

brown. 

5.  Upper  parts  yellowish  green.      sonorana,  p.  411. 
5'.  Upper  parts  olive  green     .     .  rubiginosa.  p.  412. 
3'.  Tail  without  yellow  patches  on  outer  tail  feathers. 
4.  Rump  yellow. 


408 


WOOD  WARBLERS 


5.  Crown  plain  gray 


maculosa,  p.  415. 


Fig.  508.        5'.  Crown  gray  with  yellow  patch. 
"    "  '       '    *  'alack. 


6.  Forehead  and  cheeks  black.     Arizona. 

nigrifrons,  p.  415. 

6'.  Forehead  and  cheeks  not  black.    Western  States. 

auduboni,  p.  413. 
4'.  Rump  not  yellow. 

5.  Crown  chestnut palmar  um.  p.  422. 

5'.  Crown  gray  streaked  with  black ;  superciliary  and 

spot  on  lower  eyelid  yellow   .     .  graciae,  p.  418. 

1'.  Throat  black,  white,  or  brown. 

2.  Throat  brown. 

olivacea,p.410. 

2'.  Throat  black  or  white.  Fig.  509. 

3.  Throat  black. 

4.  Sides  of  head  black,  or  black  and  white. 


5.  Sides  of  head  black.     Eastern  United  States. 

caerulescens,  p.  412. 


5'.  Sides  of  head  black  and  white,  iiigrescens,  p.  418. 


Fig.  511. 


4'.  Sides  of  head  partly  or  wholly  yellow. 

5.  Sides  of  head  wholly  yellow. 

occidentalis,  p.  421. 

Fig.  512.       5'.  Sides  of  head  not  wholly  yellow. 


6.  Sides  of  head  marked  with  olive.    Eastern  United 
States virens,  p.  420. 

6'.  Sides  of  head  marked  with  black. 


7.  Cheeks  crossed  by  narrow  black  eye  streak. 

chrysoparia,  p.  419. 


7.  Cheeks  crossed  by  wide  black  band. 

townsendi,  p.  421. 


Pig.  515. 


WOOD  WARBLERS  409 

3'.  Throat  white. 

4.  Crown  blue  or  black. 

5.  Crown  blue.    Eastern  United  States,   rara,  p.  416. 


5'.  Crown  black striata,  p.  416. 


4'.  Crown  yellow  or  with  yellow  patch. 


5.  Rump  yellow ;  under  parts  white,  black,  and  yellow. 

coronata,  p.  412. 


5'.  Rump  not  yellow  ;  under  parts  white,  with  chestnut 
sides pensylvanica,  p.  416. 


Fig.  518. 


KEY  TO  ADULT  FEMALE  DENDROICA   IN   SPKING. 

1.  Tail  with  yellow  on  inner  webs. 

2.  Upper  parts  grayish  yellow.     Arizona  to  Texas,     soiiorana,  p.  411. 
2'.  Upper  parts  greenish. 

3.  Upper  parts  greenish  yellow aestiva,  p.  411. 

3'.  Upper  parts  dull  olive  green rubiginosa,  p.  412. 

1'.  Tail  without  yellow  on  inner  webs. 
2.  Rump  yellow. 

3.  Under  parts  bright  yellow,  streaked  with  black.     Eastern  United 

States maculosa,  p.  415. 

3'.  Under  parts  mainly  whitish. 
4.  Throat  yellowish. 

5.  More  heavily  streaked  on  darker  ground,    nigrifrons,  p.  415. 
5'.  Less  heavily  streaked  on  lighter  ground.      auduboni,  p.  413. 

4'.  Throat  whitish coronata,  p.  412. 

2'.  Rump  not  yellow. 

3.  Plumage  not  conspicuously  marked  with  yellow  or  green. 

4.  Upper  parts  gray  and  black nigresceiis,  p.  418. 

4'.  Upper  parts  streaked  black  and  white     .     .     .     striata,  p.  416. 
3'.  Plumage  conspicuously  marked  with  yellow  or  green. 

4.  Sides  of  head  or  throat  marked  with  bright  lemon  yellow. 
5.  Sides  of  head  gray  or  white. 

6.  Throat,  chest,  and  loral  streak  yellow  .     .    graciae,  p.  418. 
6'.  Under  parts  white,  with  chestnut  sides. 

pensylvanica,  p.  416. 
5'.  Sides  of  head  yellow,  or  yellow  and  olive. 

6.  Upper  parts  grayish occidentalis,  p.  421. 

6'.  Upper  parts  mainly  or  partly  olive  green. 
7.  Upper  parts  olive  green  and  gray.     Texas. 

chrysoparia,  p.  419. 
7'.  Upper  parts  plain  olive  green. 


410  WOOD   WARBLERS 

8.  Upper  parts  bright  green,  unstreaked.     Eastern  United 

States virens,  p.  420. 

8'.  Upper  parts  dull  green^  streaked,   townsendi,  p.  421. 
4'.  Neither  sides  of  head  nor  throat  marked  with  bright  lemon  yel- 
low. 
5.  Upper  parts  olive  brown  or  greenish. 

6.  Upper  parts  olive  brown.     Eastern  United  States. 

palmarum,  p.  422. 
6'.  Upper  parts  greenish. 

7.  Wings  and  tail  edged  with  greenish.  Eastern  United  States. 

rara,  p.  416. 
7'.  Wings  and  tail  not  edged  with  green. 

8.  Under  parts  greenish  buff  .     .     caerulescens,  p.  412. 
5'.  Upper  parts  neither  olive  brown  nor  greenish. 
6.  Head  with  yellow  or  orange  crown  patch. 

blackburniae,  p.  417. 
6'.  Whole  head  buffy  yellow.     New  Mexico  and  Arizona. 

olivacea,  p.  410. 

Subgenus  Peucedramus. 
651.  Dendroica  olivacea  (Giraud).    OLIVE  WARBLEK. 

Adult  male  in  summer.  —  Head,  neck,  and  chest  orange  brown,  sometimes 
tinged  with  olive ;  belly  soiled  whitish ;  lores 
and  ear  coverts  black ;  nape  olive,  sometimes 

extending  over  back   of   head;   rest  of   upper 

Fig  519  parts  gray ;  wings  with  two  white  bars  and  white 

patch  at  base  of  primaries ;  tail  with  two  outer 
pairs  of  feathers  mainly  white.  Adult  female  in  summer  and  male  of  second 
year:  crown  and  hind  neck  olive  green ;  sides  of  throat  and  chest  yellowish, 
throat  sometimes  nearly  white  ;  lores  grayish ;  wing  bars  narrower  than  in 
adult  male  ;  white  spot  at  base  of  primaries  smaller,  sometimes  obsolete. 
Adult  male  in  winter :  like  summer  male,  but  head,  neck,  and  chest  duller, 
more  clay  color  ;  sides  and  flanks  browner ;  back  more  olivaceous.  Adult 
female  in  winter :  like  summer  female,  but  plumage  softer  in  texture  and 
posterior  wing  band  more  or  less  tinged  with  yellowish.  Young  male,  first 
plumage  :  like  adult  female,  but  upper  parts  dull  olive  or  brownish  olive ; 
sides  of  head  and  neck  dull  buffy,  neck  tinged  with  olive  ;  throat  and  chest 
buffy.  Young  female,  first  plumage :  like  young  male,  but  paler.  Male : 
length  (skins)  4.45-5.08,  wing  2.84-3.07,  tail  1.97-2.20,  bill  .36-.47.  Fe- 
male :  length  (skins)  4.33-4.92,  wing  2.64-2.87,  tail  1.86-2.09,  bill  .35-.47. 
Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  from 
mountains  of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  south  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  fork  of  a  conifer,  30  to  50  feet  from  the  ground,  made  some- 
times like  a  gnatcatcher's  nest,  of  rootlets,  flower  stalks,  moss,  lichens,  or 
fir  blossoms  and  spider's  web,  lined  with  rootlets.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  olive 
gray  or  sage  green,  thickly  covered  with  black  specks,  sometimes  almost 
obscuring  the  ground  color. 

Mr.  Scott  found  the  olive  warblers  in  southern  Arizona  associated 
with  Mexican  bluebirds  in  the  pines.  In  looking  for  food,  he  says, 
their  motions  were  very  deliberate,  though  occasionally  suggesting 
kinglets  or  titmice  in  their  way  of  hunting  over  the  tips  of  the 
boughs. 

Mr.  W.  W.  Price  found  them  breeding  in  the  mountains  of  Ari- 


WOOD   WARBLERS  411 

zona  between  9000  and  10,000  feet,  the  male  following  the  female 
ibout  while  she  collected  material  for  the  nest,  uttering  at  times  '  a 
liquid  quirt,  quirt,  quirt,  in  a  descending  scale.' 

Subgenus  Dendroica. 

652.  Dendroica  sestiva  (GmeL).    YELLOW  WARBLER, 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  yellow  ;  breast  and  belly  streaked  with  rufous  ; 
forehead  bright  yellow,  front  of  crown  often  tinged  with 
orange ;  hind  neck  and  rest  of  upper  parts  yellowish 
green,  brightest  on  rump ;  wing  edgings  yellow ;  inner 
webs  of  tail  feathers,  except  middle  pair,  light  yellow. 
Adult  female  and  male  in  Jirst  autumn :  upper  parts  plain 
..  ^  yellowish  green,  usually  darker  than  in  male,  lighter  on 

Fig.  5LO.  forehead  and  rump  ;  under  parts  paler  and  duller,  usually 
unstreaked.  Young  female  in  first  autumn:  like  adult  female,  but  duller 
olive  green  above,  olive  whitish  slightly  tinged  with  yellow  below ;  under 
tail  coverts  pale  yellow.  Male :  length  (skins)  3.94-4.92,  wing  2.36-2.80, 
tail  1.65-2.09,  bill  .39-.43.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.02-4.57,  wing  2.24- 
2.68,  tail  1.54-1.77,  bill  .39-.43. 

Remarks.  —  The  yellow  on  the  inner  webs  of  the  tail  feathers,  together 
with  the  general  yellow  coloration,  are  enough  to  distinguish  the  cestiva 
group  in  all  ages  and  sexes. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  except  Alaska  and  southwestern  United 
States  ;  migrates  to  Central  America  and  northern  South  America.  Breeds 
nearly  throughout  its  North  American  range. 

Nest.  —  Compact  and  cup-shaped,  made  largely  of  gray  plant  fibers, 
lined  with  down  and  feathers  ;  placed  in  bushes  or  trees.  Eggs :  2  to  6, 
greenish,  spotted  usually  around  larger  end  with  brown,  black,  and  lilac 
gray. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  yellow  warblers  are  birds  of  the  chaparral,  of  willows,  and 
thickets  along  streams  in  uninhabited  regions,  and  of  parks  and 
gardens  where  the  gods  provide.  When  seen  in  the  chaparral  thick- 
ets the  glimpse  of  yellow  tail  patches  is  enough  to  identify  them  as 
they  disappear,  but  in  towns  where  they  are  tame  the  bricky  streak- 
ing of  the  breast  can  be  seen  as  they  stand  on  a  flowering  bush  and 
lift  their  heads  to  sing.  They  have  so  much  singing  to  do  and  so 
many  insects  to  catch  that  it  keeps  them  busy.  Their  song  is  loud 
and  cheery  and  they  have  the  fine  chip  of  their  family.  In  their 
manner  of  life  they  belong  to  the  quiet  part  of  the  warbler  tribe, 
hunting  usually  in  a  leisurely  way  as  if  they  knew  that  their  song 
was  needed  to  add  the  real  summer  feeling  to  the  blooming  shrubs. 

652a.  D.  a.  sonorana  Brewst.    SONORA  YELLOW  WARBLER. 

Like  cestiva,  but  much  paler ;  adult  male  lighter,  more  yellowish  olive 
green  above,  back  often  streaked  with  brown,  crown  usually  clear  yellow  ; 
under  parts  lighter  yellow  than  in  cestiva  ;  chest  and  sides  more  narrowly 
streaked  ;  adult  female  conspicuously  paler  than  in  cestiva,  upper  parts  often 
larg-ely  pale  grayish  ;  under  parts  usually  pale  huffy  yellow.  Male :  length 
(skins)  4.21-4.76,  wing  2.32-2.60,  tail  1.77-2.20,  bill  .39-.43.  Female: 
Jength  (skins)  4.33-4.57,  wing  2.24-2.40,  tail  1.65-1.77,  bill  .39. 


412  WOOD   WARBLERS 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  to  western  Texas  and  south  to 
northwestern  Mexico  ;  in  winter  to  Guatemala  and  Nicaragua. 

65 2b.  D.  a.  rubiginosa  (Pall).  ALASKAN  YELLOW  WARBLER. 

Like  cestiva,  but  slightly  smaller  and  much  duller  ;  adult  male  with 
upper  parts  darker,  duller  olive  green,  crown  like  back  or  only  slightly 
yellower  on  forehead ;  adult  female  duller  olive  green  above,  duller  yellow 
below.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.02-4.45,  wing  2.40-2.48,  tail  1.57-1.81,  bill 
.39.  Female :  length  (skins)  3.90-4.33,  wing  2.24-2.44,  tail  1.61-1.73,  bill  .39. 

Distribution.  —  Alaska,  south  to  Vancouver,  migrating  southward. 

654.  Dendroica   cserulescens  (GmeL).    BLACK-THROATED  BLUE 

WARBLER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Face,  throat,  sides,  and  flanks  black, 
sides  and  flanks  streaked  with  white  ;  rest  of  under  parts  white  ; 
upper  parts  grayish  blue ;  wing  with  conspicuous  white  patch  at 
base  of  primaries.  Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer:  upper 
parts  olive,  usually  with  white  spot  at  base  of  primaries  ;  tail 
feathers  edged  with  bluish  or  greenish  gray  ;  inner  web  of 
Fig.  521.  outside  feather  sometimes  with  paler  or  whitish  spot ;  eyelids 
with  whitish  streaks,  that  of  upper  lid  extending  over  ear  coverts  ;  under 
parts  pale  olive  yellowish,  shaded  with  olive  laterally.  Adult  male  in  fall 
and  winter :  like  spring  male,  but  white  of  flanks  faintly  tinged  with  brown- 
ish buff  and  bill  brownish  instead  of  black.  Adult  female  in  fall  and  winter : 
like  summer  female,  but  upper  parts  greener ;  under  parts  yellower. 
Young  male  in  first  fall  and  winter :  like  adult  winter  male,  but  white  of 
under  parts  more  or  less  tinged  with  yellowish,  bluish  gray  of  upper  parts 
tinged  with  olive  green  ;  black  feathers  of  throat  edged  with  whitish. 
Young  male,  first  plumage :  wings  and  tail  as  in  fall  males ;  white  spot  at  base 
of  primaries  fully  developed  ;  lores  black ;  rest  of  upper  parts  dark  olive 
brown  ;  throat  and  superciliary  buff y  ;  breast  and  sides  ashy ;  belly  sul- 
phur yellow.  Young  female,  Jirst  plumage :  wings  and  tail  like  winter  fe- 
male ;  spot  at  base  of  primaries  soiled  white  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  light  olive 
brown ;  lores  dull  black  ;  under  parts  buff  y,  olive  buff  on  breast  and  sides. 
Male:  length  (skins)  4.33-4.72,  wing  2.44-2.64,  tail  1.93-2.13,  bill  .33-.39. 
Female :  length  (skins)  4.33-4.76,  wing  2.36-2.48,  tail  1.87-2.01,  bill  .35-.37. 
Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  from  Hudson 
Bay  to  the  northeastern  United  States,  south  to  Pennsylvania  in  the 
mountains ;  migrates  casually  to  base  of  Rocky  Mountains ;  winters  in 
Guatemala,  the  West  Indies,  and  northern  South  America ;  accidental  in 
Colorado  and  on  the  Farallone  Islands. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes,  compact  and  deep  ;  made  of  fine  grass,  spider's  web, 
lichen,  and  strips  of  fine  bark.     Eggs :  usually  4,  buffy  whitish  or  greenish 
white,  more  or  less  heavily  spotted  with  reddish  brown. 
Food.  —  Insects. 

655.  Dendroica  coronata  (Linn.).    YELLOW-RUMPED  WARBLER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Crown  patch  and  rump  bright  yellow ; 
rest  of  upper  parts  bluish  gray,  streaked  with  black ;  wings 
,  with  two  white  bars  ;  tail  black  with  gray  edgings  ;  outer  pair 
of  tail  feathers  with  large  spots  of  white  ;  throat  white  ;  rest  of 
under  parts  black,  yellow,  and  white.  Adult  female  in  spring 
and  summer:  similar,  but  smaller  and  duller;  upper  parts 
tinged  with  brown ;  color  patches  restricted.  Adult  male  in  fall 
Fig.  522.  and  winter :  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  streaked  with  black 


WOOD   WARBLERS  413 

on  back  and  scapulars  ;  yellow  crown  patch  concealed  by  brown  tips  to 
feathers ;  throat  and  chest  brownish  white  or  buff y  brown,  chest  streaked 
with  black ;  yellow  patches  obscured,  black  patches  with  white  edges  to 
feathers.  Adult  female  in  fall  and  winter  :  like  winter  male,  but  smaller, 
upper  parts  browner,  yellow  crown  patch  restricted  or  obsolete  ;  under 
parts  pale  buff  y  brown  in  front  and  on  sides ;  median  parts  of  breast  and 
belly  yellowish  white  ;  yellow  breast  patches  indistinct  or  obsolete.  Young, 
first  plumage:  streaked  above  and  below;  wings  and  tail  much  as  in 
adults.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.72-5.51,  wing  2.76-3.07,  tail  1.97-2.36, 
bill  .3S-.43.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.65-5.51,  wing  2.64-2.95,  tail  2.02- 
2.32,  bill  .32-.41. 

Remarks,  —  The  yellow-rumped  and  Audubon  warblers  are  similar,  but 
can  be  distinguished  by  the  throat,  which  is  white  in  coronata  and  yellow 
in  auduboni. 

Distribution.  —  North  America,  chiefly  east  and  north  of  Rocky  Moun- 
tains (to  Hudson  Bay  region),  straggling  westward  to  the  Pacific;  breeds 
from  Alaska  to  northern  United  States,  wintering  from  southern  New 
England  and  the  Ohio  valley  south  to  the  West  Indies  and  Panama ; 
accidental  in  Greenland  and  eastern  Siberia. 

Nest .  —  Usually  low  in  coniferous  trees,  made  of  grasses,  twigs,  and  root- 
lets, lined  with  finer  grasses,  feathers,  and  hair.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  white, 
creamy,  or  buffy,  spotted  or  blotched  chiefly  on  or  around  larger  end  with 
brown  and  lilac,  sometimes  mixed  with  small  black  markings. 

Food.  —  Insects,  their  eggs  and  larvae,  and  wild  berries. 

The  yellow-rump,  the  eastern  representative  of  the  Audubon 
warbler,  migrates  through  Colorado,  and  Prof.  Cooke  says  it  is  not 
uncommon  for  two  or  three  weeks  on  the  plains  along  the  foothills 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  where  a  few  range  up  to  9000  feet.  It  mi- 
grates from  ten  days  to  two  weeks  ahead  of  auduboni,  but  in  May 
the  two  species  are  often  found  together. 

656.  Dendroica  auduboni  (Towns.).    AUDUBON  WARBLER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Throat,  crownpatch,  and  rump  yellow; 
under  parts  white,  yellow,  and  solid  black ;  upper  parts  bluish  gray,  streaked 
with  black  ;  wing  coverts  with  large  white 
patches ;  tail  black,  inner  webs  of  four 
or  five  outer  feathers  with  large  subter- 
minal  patch  of  white.  Adult  female  in 
spring  and  summer:  like  summer  male, 
but  duller,  and  with  less  black  on  under 
parts;  upper  parts  usually  more  or  less 
tinged  with  brown;  yellow  crown  patch 
restricted,  and  partly  tipped  with  brown- 
ish gray ;  wings  with  narrower  bands ; 
chest  and  sides  grayish,  marked  with 
black;  color  patches  restricted.  Adult 
male  in  fall  and  winter:  duller  and 
browner  than  summer  male,  upper  parts 
washed  with  brown,  wing  markings  tinged  *"rom  Biologi^Sm-vey^U.  S.  Dept.  of 
with  brown ;  black  of  chest  and  sides  ^1CU 

rtfbstly  concealed  by  brownish  white  edges 

to  feathers.  Adult  female  in  fall  and  winter :  like  winter  male,  but  smaller 
and  duller,  back  without  sharply  defined  streaks ;  yellow  patches  paler  and 


414  WOOD  WARBLERS 

more  restricted ;  black  chest  spots  more  sharply  defined.  Young,  first 
plumage :  upper  parts  thickly  streaked  with  dusky  on  brownish  gray 
ground ;  lower  rump  grayish  white,  narrowly  streaked  with  dusky ;  under 
parts  grayish  white,  streaked.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.80-5.39,  wing  2.95- 
3.19,  tail  2.09-2.42,  bill  .39-.43.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.80-5.08,  wing 
2.87-3.07,  tail  2.13-2.32,  bill  .39-.43. 

Remarks.  —  The  yellow  throat  distinguishes  the  adult  Audubon  warbler 
from  the  yellow-rump,  and  the  amount  of  white  on  the  tail  distinguishes 
the  young,  auduboni  having  four  or  five  feathers  marked  with  white,  coro- 
nata,  only  two  or  three. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and  Transition  zones  from  British 
Columbia  south  to  Arizona,  and  from  California  to  Sioux  County,  Ne- 
braska ;  winters  from  western  United  States  to  Guatemala,  and  eastward 
to  western  parts  of  Texas  and  Kansas ;  accidental  in  Massachusetts  and 
Pennsylvania. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  pines  or  spruces,  but  sometimes  in  deciduous  trees  and 
bushes  a  few  feet  from  the  ground,  made  largely  of  strips  of  fine  bark  and 
pine  needles,  lined  with  fine  roots,  hair,  and  a  few  feathers.  Eggs :  usu- 
ally 4,  generally  olive  white  or  greenish,  sparsely  spotted  and  dotted  with 
black,  brown,  and  lilac  gray. 

Food.  —  Similar  to  that  of  the  yellow-rumped  warbler. 

The  Audubon  warbler  in  its  dull,  streaked  winter  dress  is  a  com- 
mon winter  bird  in  the  warm  valleys  of  the  west,  and  one  of  the 
commonest  in  the  San  Francisco  parks.  Its  flight  and  all  its  move- 
ments seem  to  be  regulated  by  gnats,  its  days  one  continuous  hunt 
for  dinner.  When  insects  are  scarce  it  will  fly  hesitatingly  through 
the  air  looking  this  way  and  that,  its  yellow  rump  spot  always 
in  evidence,  but  when  it  comes  to  an  invisible  gauzy-winged  throng 
it  zigzags  through,  snapping  them  up  as  it  goes ;  then,  perhaps, 
closing  its  wings  it  tumbles  down  to  a  bush,  catches  itself,  and 
races  pellmell  after  another  insect  that  has  caught  its  eye.  In  the 
parks  it  is  especially  fond  of  the  palm  tops  frequented  by  the  golden- 
crowned  sparrows,  and  dashes  around  them  in  its  mad  helter-skelter 
fashion.  The  most  straight-laced,  conventional  thing  it  ever  does  is 
to  make  flycatcher  sallies  from  a  post  of  observation  when  it  has 
caught  its  insect.  If  it  actually  sits  still  a  moment  with  wings  hang- 
ing at  its  sides,  its  head  is  turning  alertly,  its  bright  eyes  keen  for 
action,  and  while  you  look  it  dashes  away  with  a  nervous  quip'  into 
midair,  in  hot  pursuit  of  its  prey. 

.  Auduboni  is  so  preoccupied  with  its  hunting  that  it  pays  little 
heed  to  observers.  At  Stanford,  in  December,  when  the  birds  were 
common,  one  has  flown  in  from  the  rosebushes  to  the  piazza  rail  near 
me,  looked  around  for  a  moment,  and  then  ignoring  my  presence 
flown  down  to  the  floor  and  gone  hopping  jauntily  about  in  the 
shadow  of  the  vines  looking  for  insects. 

When  spring  comes  these  warblers  are  off  to  the  mountains,  for 
they  are  true  Canadian  zone  birds.  In  July  we  have  met  them  near 


WOOD  WARBLERS  415 

the  crest  of  the  Sierra  in  full  plumage  and  full  song.  There  is  little 
to  suggest  the  dull,  streaked  bird  of  winter  in  this  warbler,  whose 
handsome  yellow  pointed  plumage  makes  such  a  brilliant  showing 
against  the  dark  green  of  the  firs. 

His  song  is  of  a  strong  warbler  type,  opening  toward  the  end, 
chwee,  chwee-chwee-ah,  chwee,  between  the  song  of  the  yellow  war- 
bler and  that  of  the  junco. 

By  the  third  week  in  July  we  saw  the  Audubons  feeding  a  trailing 
family  of  streaked  young  in  the  fir  tops,  the  abstracted  chase  for 
insects  going  on  more  strenuously  than  ever. 

656.1.  Dendroica  nigrifrons  Brewst.  BLACK-FRONTED  WARBLER. 

Like  auduboni,  but  larger  and  darker ;  adult  summer  male  with  fore- 
head, sides  of  crown,  and  cheeks  mainly  black  instead  of  gray ;  back  black 
with  feathers  edged  with  bluish  gray;  under  parts  more  solidly  black; 
winter  male  with  less  black  on  upper  parts,  forehead  only  streaked  with 
black,  bluish  gray  of  upper  parts  with  little  if  any  brown,  black  of  under 
parts  with  only  narrow  whitish  tips  to  feathers ;  adult  female  more  heavily 
streaked  on  darker  ground  ;  young  more  heavily  streaked  with  dusky. 
Male :  length  (skins)  5.00-5.55,  wing  3.05-3.31,  tail  2.28-2.53,  bill  .37- 
.38.  Female :  length  (skins)  5.00-5.10,  wing  2.97-3.04,  tail  2.26-2.35,  bill 
.35-38. 

Distribution.  —  From  Huachuca  and  Chiricahua  Mountains,  Arizona, 
south  to  northwestern  Mexico. 

6.57.  Dendroica  maculosa  (GmeL).    MAGNOLIA  WARBLER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Under  parts  bright  yellow,  strikingly 
marked  by  black  necklace  and  black  streaking  down  breast ;  top  of  head 
and  hind  neck  plain  gray,  sides  of  head  and  back  black ; 
rump  yellow,  partly  streaked  with  black  and  sometimes 
partly  olive  green ;  upper  tail  coverts,  wings,  and  tail 
black ;  wings  with  conspicuous  white  patch  and  tail  with 
subterminal  band  of  white.  Adult  male  in  fall  and  win- 
ter: crown  and  hind  neck  brownish  gray,  back  and 
scapulars  olive  green,  feathers  with  mostly  concealed 
black  centers ;  wing  patch  replaced  by  two  narrow  wing  bars ;  chest  with- 
out black  streaks  or  spots.  Adult  female :  duller ;  back  mainly  olive 
green;  wing  with  two  white  bands;  streaks  on  under  parts  narrower. 
Young  male  in  first  fall  and  winter :  chest  with  broad  grayish  or  whitish 
band.  Young  female  in  first  fall  or  winter:  like  young  male,  but  smaller 
and  much  duller,  crown  browner,  back  without  concealed  black  markings, 
white  of  tail  restricted,  flanks  indistinctly  streaked.  Male  :  length  (skins) 
4.13-4.65,  wing  2.24-2.52,  tail  1.86-2.04,  bill  .34-.49.  Female:  length 
(skins)  4.25-4.41,  wing  2.14-2.28,  tail  1.81-1.91,  bill  .35. 

Remarks.  —  The  white  subterminal  tail  band  is  enough  to  distinguish  the 
magnolia  warbler  in  any  plumage. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Boreal  zone  in  eastern  North  America,  west  to 
the  Rocky  Mountains  ;  from  Hudson  Bay  south  to  northern  parts  of  New 
England  and  Michigan  and  southward  in  the  Alleghanies  ;  casually  to  Cali- 
fornia ;  winters  in  Cuba,  the  Bahamas,  and  south  through  Mexico  to  Pan- 
ama ;  accidental  in  Greenland. 

Nest .  —  Largely  of  fine  twigs,  grass,  and  weed  stalks,  lined  with  fine 


416  WOOD  WARBLERS 

black  rootlets ;  placed  in  small  spruces  and  hemlocks,  3  to  35  feet  from 
the  ground.      Eggs:  4  or  5,  creamy,  blotched  or  spotted  with  lilac  and 
shades  of  brown. 
Food-  —  Insects. 

The  handsome  magnolia  warbler  is  a  rare  migrant  in  Colorado, 
but  whenever  seen  may  be  recognized  as  it  goes  about  with  wings 
drooping  and  tail  spread  enough  to  show  its  black  terminal  tail  band. 

658.  Dendroica  rara  (Wils.}.    CERULEAN  WARBLER. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  light  grayish  blue,  crown  bordered  by  two 
blackish  stripes ;  back  streaked  with  black ;  wings  and  tail  black  with  gray- 
ish blue  edgings,  wings  with  two  clear  white  bands ;  tail  feathers  broadly 
spotted  with  white  ;  under  parts  white,  with  narrow  bluish  throat  band  and 
bluish  streaking  along  sides.  Adult  female  :  upper  parts  from  light  bluish 
gray  to  grayish  olive  green  ;  superciliary  stripe,  if  present,  pale  greenish 
yellow  like  under  parts ;  wings  and  tail  as  in  male,  but  edgings  greenish 
instead  of  bluish.  Fall  and  winter  adults  :  more  highly  colored.  Young 
male  in  first  autumn :  like  female,  but  whiter  below  and  more  bluish  above. 
Young  male,  nestling  plumage :  upper  parts  gray,  crown  with  median 
stripe,  and  dark  postocular  stripe  ;  sides  of  head  and  under  parts  white. 
Male :  length  (skins)  4.05-4.55,  wing  2.44-2.66,  tail  1.70-1.88,  bill  .37-.40. 
Female:  length  (skins)  4.10-4.35,  wing  2.29-2.47,  tail  1.62-1.68,  bill  .39- 
.41. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone  of  the  eastern  central 
United  States  and  Canada  from  Tennessee  and  Missouri  to  Michigan, 
western  New  York,  and  southern  Ontario  ;  south  in  migration  to  western 
Texas,  southern  Mexico,  Central  America,  northern  South  America,  and 
rarely  Cuba;  occasionally  to  Rocky  Mountains. 

Nest.  —  In  trees  in  high  deciduous  woods,  20-50  feet  or  more  from  the 
ground ;  compact,  cup-shaped,  composed  largely  of  plant  fibers,  strips  of 
fine  bark,  and  spider  web.  Eggs :  usually  3  or  4,  white  or  dull  greenish 
or  bluish  white,  speckled  with  brown,  chiefly  around  the  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

659.  Dendroica  pensylvanica  (Linn.).    CHESTNUT-SIDED  WAR- 

BLER. 

Adult  male.  —  Crown  yellow,  bordered  with  black ;  sides  of  head  and 
neck  and  under  parts  white  ;  sides  with  broad  stripe  of  chest- 
nut ;  back  striped  with  black  and  olive,  mixed  with  yellowish. 
Adult  female  :   like  male,  but  duller,  upper  parts  greener, 
black  markings  on  head  indistinct,  and  chestnut  restricted. 
Young  in  first  autumn :  upper  parts  bright  olive  green  ;  wing 
Fig.  525.        bars  yellowish  ;  sides  of  head  and  body  ash  gray ;  median 
under  parts  white.     Length:  4.60-5.25,  wing  2.40-2.65,  tail  1.95-2.10. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada,  west  to 
Manitpba  and  the  Plains,  accidentally  to  Cheyenne  ;  south  in  winter  to  the 
Bahamas,  eastern  Mexico,  Central  America,  and  Panama. 

Nest.  —  In  small  trees  or  undergrowth  near  clearings,  loosely  woven  of 
stems,  grasses,  and  plant  fibers,  lined  with  hairs.  Eggs :  usually  4,  white 
or  creamy,  spotted  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac,  thickest  around  the  larger 
end. 

661.  Dendroica  striata  (Forst.).     BLACK-POLL  WARBLER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Crown  black,  rest  of  upper  parts 


WOOD  WARBLERS  417 

olive,  gray,  or  brown,  streaked  with  black  except  sometimes  on  rump ;  wings 
and  tail  dusky,  wings  with  two  white  bands  and  greenish  edgings ;  inner 
webs  of  two  or  three  outer  tail  feathers  with  subterminal 
white  patches;  under  parts  white,  chin  usually  black  and 
sides  heavily  streaked  with  black.  Adult  female  in  spring  and 
summer  :  similar,  but  upper  parts  dull  olive  green,  streaked 
with  black ;  wing  bars  tinged  with  yellow  ;  under  parts  washed 
with  pale  yellowish,  sides  streaked  with  dusky.  Adult  male 
in  fall  and  winter :  upper  parts  olive  green  shading  to  gray 
on  upper  tail  coverts  ;  back  and  scapulars,  sometimes  crown 
and  rump,  streaked  with  black ;  wing  bars  usually  tinged  with  yellow  ; 
superciliary  olive  yellowish  ;  throat,  breast,  and  sides  yellowish ;  sides  and 
flanks  indistinctly  streaked ;  belly  white.  Young  in  first  fall  and  winter  : 
like  adult  fall  male,  but  under  parts  yellow  except  on  under  tail  coverts ; 
upper  tail  coverts  olive  green  instead  of  gray,  back  less  distinctly  streaked. 
Young,  first  plumage :  upper  parts  light  grayish  brown,  streaked  with  black 
except  on  rump,  which  is  barred  or  mottled  with  black ;  under  parts  whitish, 
tinged  with  olive  yellow  in  front,  and  mottled  with  dusky  ;  wings  and  tail  as 
in  winter  birds.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.65-5. 51,  wing  2.81-3.05,  tail  1.91-2.13. 
Female :  length  (skins)  4.53-5.00,  wing  2.72-2.95,  tail  1.77-2.01,  bill  .35-.43. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  northern  New  England  and  the  Catskill 
Mountains  west  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  north  to  Hudson  Bay  and 
Alaska  ;  migrates  west  to  New  Mexico,  Colorado,  and  Montana,  and  south 
to  northern  South  America,  through  West  Indies  ;  not  recorded  from  Mex- 
ico or  Central  America ;  accidental  in  Greenland. 

Nest.  —  On  lower  branches  of  coniferous  trees,  in  the  north  often  on  the 
ground  ;  bulky,  warmly  lined  with  feathers.  Eggs :  usually  4,  white, 
creamy,  or  biiff y,  spotted  or  blotched,  often  wreathed  with  brown  and  lilac 
gray. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  eastern  black-poll,  Prof.  Cooke  says,  comes  regularly,  but  in 
small  numbers,  west  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  occasionally  being 
common  during  migrations  both  on  the  plains  and  at  the  base  of 
the  foothills.  There  is  one  breeding  record  for  Seven  Lakes,  near 
Manitou,  Colorado,  at  an  altitude  of  11,000  feet. 

662.  Dendroica  blackburniae  (Gmel).     BULCKBURNIAN  WAK- 

BLEB. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Throat  brillant  orange  yellow ;  rest 
of  under  parts  pale  yellowish ;  sides  streaked  with  black ; 
crown  black  with  yellow  or  orange  patch  ;  superciliary  yel- 
low or  orange  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  black,  streaked  with  white 
on  back  ;  wings  with  broad  white  patch  ;  tail  with  three  outer 
feathers  white  except  shafts  and  tips.  Adult  female  :  similar, 
but  black  replaced  by  olive  brown,  streaked  ;  orange  replaced  by  yellow  ; 
wings  and  tail  duller,  white  markings  restricted.  Young  male  in  first  fall 
and  winter :  like  adult  female,  but  without  yellow  spot  on  crown ;  yellow 
of  throat  and  chest  paler.  Young  female  in  first  fall  and  winter :  similar 
to  adult  female,  but  upper  parts  browner,  streaks  less  distinct ;  white 
markings  restricted  ;  under  parts  huffy ;  throat  sometimes  pale  buffy ; 
streaks  on  sides  dull  brownish.  Young,  first  plumage :  upper  parts  brown, 
middle  of  crown  lighter ;  back  and  rump  indistinctly  streaked  ;  supercil- 
iary stripe  and  throat  pale  buffy ;  chest  darker,  faintly  spotted ;  rest  of 


418  WOOD  WARBLERS 

under  parts  white,  sides  spotted ;  wing  and  tail  as  in  fall  birds,  but  wing 
bars  brownish  buff.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.40-4.70,  wing  2.57-2.73,  tail 
1.83-1.94,  bill  .37-41.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.25-4.60,  wing  2.48-2.58, 
tail  1.82-1.87,  bill  .38. 

Remarks.  —  The  young  may  be  distinguished  by  buffy  superciliary  and 
throat. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and  Transition  zones  of  the  southern 
British  Provinces,  northeastern  United  States,  and  mountain  regions  south ; 
casually  to  Utah,  western  Texas,  and  New  Mexico ;  migrates  to  the  Ba- 
hamas, and  through  eastern  Mexico  to  South  America ;  accidental  in 
Greenland. 

Nest.  —  In  evergreen  trees,  bulky,  composed  of  downy  materials,  espe- 
cially cat-tail  down,  lined  with  fine  lichens,  and  horsehairs.  Eggs  :  4  or  5, 
greenish  white  or  pale  bluish  green,  speckled  or  spotted  chiefly  on  or 
around  larger  end  with  brown,  reddish  brown,  or  lilac  gray. 

Food.  —  Largely  winged  insects. 

664.  Dendroica  gracise   Baird.     GRACE  WARBLER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Superciliary,  spot  on  lower  lid,  throat 
and  chest  bright  yellow ;  rest  of  under  parts  white,  streaked  with  black ; 
upper  parts  including  ear  coverts  and  sides  of  neck  ash  gray ;  crown  and 
back  narrowly  streaked  with  black ;  wings  with  two  white  bands  ;  two 
outer  tail  feathers  largely  white  on  inner  webs.  Adult  female  in  spring  and 
summer:  like  male,  but  duller,  gray  of  upper  parts  tinged  with  brown, 
black  streaks  indistinct,  wing  bars  narrower,  yellow  paler,  white  of  under 
parts  duller.  Adult  male  in  fall  and  winter  :  upper  parts  slightly  tinged 
with  brown,  streakings  on  back  more  or  less  concealed;  under  parts 
brownish  buffy.  Adult  female  in  fall  and  winter  :  like  winter  male,  but 
washed  with  olive  brown  above,  wing  bars  brownish  buff,  and  white  of 
under  parts  strongly  buffy.  Young  male  in  first  fall  and  winter  :  upper 
parts  strongly  tinged  with  brown,  black  streaks  on  back  concealed,  and 
flanks  strongly  brownish  buff.  Young  female  in  first  fall  and  winter  :  colors 
duller,  streaking  indistinct  or  obsolete.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.33-4.60, 
wing  2.52-2.60,  tail  1.85-1.97,  bill  .39.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.45-4.53, 
wing  2.37-2.44,  tail  1.81-1.85,  bill  .39. 

Distribution.  —  Southwestern  United  States  and  adjacent  parts  of  north- 
western Mexico,  breeding  from  Colorado  to  Chihuahua  and  Sonora,  Mexico ; 
casual  in  southern  California. 

Nest.  —  By  two  specimens,  in  pines,  50  to  60  feet  from  the  ground, 
made  of  vegetable  fibers,  straws,  and  horsehair ;  also,  in  one  case,  strings, 
oak  catkins,  bud  scales,  wool,  vegetable  down,  and  insect  webbing.  Eggs  : 
8  or  4,  white,  lightly  spotted  with  reddish  brown. 

The  Grace  warblers  are  birds  of  the  coniferous  forests  of  the  south- 
western mountains.  In  the  Guadalupe  Mountains,  Texas,  we  met 
a  small  flock  of  them  passing  through  the  pines  at  about  8000  feet. 

665.  Dendroica  nigrescens   (Towns.).     BLACK-THROATED  GRAY 

WARBLER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Whole  head,  throat,  and  chest  black, 
except  for  white  streaks  on  side  of  head  and  along  throat,  and  bright  yellow 
spot  over  lores ;  breast  and  belly  pure  white ;  sides  streaked  with  black ; 
back  gray,  more  or  less  streaked  with  black  ;  wings  with  two  white  bars  ; 
tail  with  inner  webs  of  two  outer  feathers  mainly  white.  Adult  female 
in  spring  and  summer:  similar,  but  colors  duller;  crown  usually  gray, 


WOOD   WARBLERS  419 

streaked  with  black ;  black  of  throat  largely  mixed  with  white.  Adult  male 
in  fall  and  winter:  like  summer  male,  but  gray  of  upper  parts  tinged  with 
brown,  and  black  markings  restricted,  some- 
times nearly  obsolete.  Adult  female  in  fall 
and  winter :  like  summer  male,  but  plumage 
softer  and  streaks  on  back  and  upper  tail 
coverts  obsolete  or  wanting.  Young  male  in 
first  fall  and  winter :  like  adult  winter  male, 
but  gray  of  upper  parts  browner ;  crown 
brownish  gray  except  on  front  and  sides ; 
streaks  on  back  and  upper  tail  coverts  ob- 
solete or  concealed ;  black  of  throat  with 
white  tips  to  feathers;  white  of  under  parts  Fig.  528.  Blactthroated  Gray 
tinged  with  yellowish.  Young  female  in  first 

fall  and  winter :  entire  upper  parts  brownish  gray,  crown  bordered  with 
dusky ;  white  of  under  parts  strongly  tinged  with  brown.  Male :  length 
(skins)  4.13-4.65,  wing  2.35-2.62,  tail  1.92-2.17,  bill  .32-.3S.  Female: 
length  (skins)  4.21-4.80,  wing  2.13-2.47,  tail  1.85-2.01,  bill  .33-.3S. 

Remarks.  —  The  yellow  spot  over  lores  is  diagnostic. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from 
British  Columbia  to  Lower  California  and  southern  Arizona,  and  from 
Colorado  to  the  Pacific  coast ;  migrates  to  southern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Low  down  in  dense  thickets  of  scrub  oak,  or  high  up  in  pines, 
compact,  cup-shaped,  like  that  of  D.  wstiva,  made  of  graj  plant  fibers, 
lined  with  feathers.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  white,  tinged  with  pink  or  cream, 
spotted  on  or  around  larger  end  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac  gray, 
usually  mixed  with  a  few  darker  specks. 

Food.  —  Frequently  green  caterpillars. 

The  quiet  little  black-throated  gray  warbler  is  a  restful  contrast  to 
the  whirligig  of  perpetual  motion,  the  omnipresent  Audubon  warbler 
of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  It  seems  to  be  especially  a  bird  of  Transition 
low  growth,  such  as  scrub  oaks,  pifions,  cedars,  and  manzanitas. 

Along  the  North  Fork  of  the  Yuba  River  in  the  Sierra  we  found 
it  singing  in  the  bushes  along  the  road,  and  in  the  low  trees  on  a 
hillside  near  camp.  Its  song  is  a  simple  warbler  lay,  zee-ee-zee-ee, 
ze,  ze,  ze,  with  the  quiet  woodsy  quality  of  mrens  and  ccerulescens, 
so  soothing  to  the  ear. 

666.   Dendroica   chrysoparia  3d.  $-  Salv.    GOLDEN-CHEEKED 
WARBLER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Upper  parts  and  throat  black,  upper 
parts  sometimes  tinged  with  olive  green ; 
sides  of  head  bright  yellow,  interrupted  by 
narrow  black  streak  through  eye;  forehead 
usually  with  yellow  spot  or  streak  ;  breast 
and  belly  white,  sides  streaked  with  black ; 
wings  and  tail  black,  wings  with  two  white 

bands  and  tail  with  three  outer  pairs   of  """"^"^H 

feathers   with    inner  web    largely   white.  ^^i 

Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer :  like  F. 

summer  male,  but  upper  parts  olive  green, 
indistinctly  streaked ;  throat  yellowish,   black  showing  through ;    wings 


420  WOOD   WARBLERS 

and  tail  duller,  wing  bands  narrower.  Adult  male  in  fall  and  winter  : 
like  summer  male,  but  feathers  of  black  throat  patch  edged  with  white  or 
yellowish.  Young  male  in  first  fall  and  winter  :  like  adult  fall  male,  but 
upper  parts  streaked  with  olive  green  and  black,  upper  tail  coverts  edged 
with  olive  green  and  gray,  wings  and  tail  duller,  wing  bars  with  black 
shaft  streaks.  Young  female  in  first  fall  and  winter  :  like  adult  female, 
but  upper  parts  plain  olive  green,  or  indistinctly  streaked ;  throat  and 
chest  grayish,  throat  tinged  with  yellow ;  sides  and  flanks  indistinctly 
streaked  with  dusky.  Young,  first  plumage  :  upper  parts  grayish  brown 
or  brownish  gray ;  sides  of  head,  throat,  chest,  and  sides  pale  brownish 
gray ;  rest  of  under  parts  whitish,  breast  indistinctly  streaked ;  wings  and 
tail  like  adults,  but  wing  coverts  with  dark  mesial  wedge-shaped  marks. 
Male:  length  (skins)  4.61-4.84,  wing  2.45-2.58,  tail  2.04-2.15,  bill  .36- 
.40.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.57-4.92,  wing  2.28-2.43,  tail  1.87-2.05,  bill 
.3S-.42. 

Remarks.  —  The  black  eye  line  through  the  bright  yellow  cheeks  marks 
both  sexes  of  the  golden-cheeked  warbler. 

Distribution.  —  From  western,  central,  and  southern  Texas  south  to 
Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  red  cedars,  10  to  20  feet  from  the  ground,  between 
upright  branches  ;  made  of  strips  of  inner  cedar  bark  fastened  with  web 
and  lined  with  hair  and  feathers.  Eggs  :  3  or  4,  white,  spotted  with  red- 
dish brown,  sometimes  mixed  with  lavender. 

The  golden-cheeked  warbler  is  said  to  be  common  among  the  juni- 
pers or  'cedar  brakes,'  as  they  are  called  locally,  in  central  Texas. 
It  is  said  to  be  always  on  the  alert  for  insects,  hunting  over  the 
branches  and  occasionally  darting  out  for  a  passing  insect.  The 
song  of  the  male  is  given  as  tserr  weasy-weasy  tweah. 

667.  Dendroica  virens  (GmeL).    BLACK-THROATED  GREEN  WAR- 
BLER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Throat    and   chest    black,   sides 
~  streaked  with  black ;  rest  of  under  parts  white  or  yellowish 

white  ;  forehead  sometimes  with  yellow  spot ;  sides  of  head 
bright  yellow,  olive  streak  through  eye;  upper  parts  bright  olive 
green ;  back  sometimes  narrowly  streaked  with  black ;  wings 
with  two  white  bars,  tail  with  inner  webs  of  two  outer  feath- 
Fig.  530.  ers  mainly  white.  Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer :  similar 
to  male,  but  black  of  throat  and  chest  obscured  by  yellowish,  and  whitish 
tips  to  feathers.  Young  male  in  first  fall  and  winter  :  like  adult  female, 
but  olive  green  of  upper  parts  and  yellow  of  sides  of  head  brighter,  and 
under  parts  yellower.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.33-4.72,  wing  2.40-2.52, 
tail  1.77-1.93,  bill  .35-.39.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.10-4.53,  wing  2.28- 
2.40,  tail  1.77-1.85,  bill  .3S-.43. 

Remarks.  —  The  bright  olive  green  upper  parts  and  whitish  belly  dis- 
tinguish virens  in  all  plumages. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  from  Hudson 
Bay  to  northern  Illinois  and  Connecticut,  and  along  the  Alleghanies  south 
to  South  Carolina ;  migrates  to  Cuba  and  through  western  Texas  and 
Mexico  to  Central  America  and  Panama. 

Nest.  —  In  coniferous  trees,  usually  at  considerable  height,  made  of  strips 
of  bark,  plant  stems,  leaves,  twigs,  and  feathers,  lined  with  hair  and  plant 
down.  Eggs :  usually  4,  white  or  creamy,  spotted  with  reddish  brown  and 
lilac  gray,  mixed  with  a  few  darker  specks. 

Food.  —  Largely  leaf  worms,  spiders,  beetles,  and  flies. 


WOOD   WARBLERS  421 

668.  Dendroica  townsendi  (Towns.).    TOWNSKND  WARBLER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Head  and  throat  black,  except  for 
bright  yellow  superciliary  and  malar  streak 
bordering  throat ;  breast  bright  yellow  fading 
to  white  on  middle  of  belly  ;  sides  streaked 
with  black;  back  bright  olive  green,  with 
black  arrow-point  streaks ;  wings  and  tail 
blackish,  wing  with  two  white  bars,  tail  with 
inner  webs  of  three  lateral  feathers  white  at 
ends.  Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer : 
like  winter  male,  but  black  streaking  of 
upper  parts  and  sides  restricted  or  obsolete  ; 

crown  sometimes  blackish  ;  throat  often  blotched  with  black.  Adult  male 
in  fall  and  winter  :  like  summer  male,  but  black  obscured  ;  crown  and  hind 
neck  with  olive  green  edges  to  feathers ;  cheek  patch  with  olive  green  tips 
to  feathers ;  throat  lemon  yellow  ;  chest  and  sides  spotted  with  black. 
Adult  female  in  fall  and  winter :  like  summer  female,  but  upper  parts 
slightly  brownish,  streaks  indistinct ;  sides  and  flanks  brownish.  Young 
male  in  first  fall  and  winter :  like  adult  winter  male,  but  streaks  on  crown 
and  back  obsolete,  and  yellow  of  throat  paler.  Young  female  in  first  fall 
and  winter :  like  adult  fall  female,  but  yellow  paler,  and  markings  less 
distinct.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.21-4.80,  wing  2.56-2.72,  tail  1.89-2.01, 
bill  .32-.3S.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.25-4.92,  wing  2.48-2.60,  tail  1.93- 
L97,  bill  .32-.39. 

Remarks.  —  The  wide  band  of  black  or  olive  on  the  sides  of  the  head, 
green  back  and  bright  yellow  breast,  are  enough  to  distinguish  townsendi 
in  any  plumage. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Boreal  zones  in  western  North 
America,  from  Yukon  valley  to  Oregon,  and  east  to  Montana ;  migrates  to 
Colorado,  western  Texas,  and  south  to  Guatemala ;  accidental  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Nest.  —  Attributed  to  townsendi  by  Bendire,  in  willows,  about  4  feet 
from  the  ground,  made  of  rotten  plant  fibers  and  roots,  lined  with  rootlets, 
hair,  and  plant  down.  Eggs :  3,  pinkish  white,  spotted  mainly  about  the 
larger  end  with  brown,  lavender,  and  dark  amber. 

The  Townsend  warbler  is  a  difficult  bird  to  study,  as  it  affects  the 
tops  of  lofty  firs  and  spruces,  hurrying  from  one  to  the  other  in 
what  may  well  appear  unseemly  haste  to  the  observer  below. 

Dr.  Merrill  ascribes  to  it  a  mrens-like  drawled  dee' '-dee' '-dee '-de*  dS. 

669.  Dendroica  occidentalis  (Towns.).    HERMIT  WARBLER. 
Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Top  and  sides  of  head  bright  yellow, 

crown  spotted  with  black,  occiput  usually  mainly  or  wholly  black ;  throat 
black ;  rest  of  under  parts  white,  some- 
times streaked  on  sides  ;  hind  neck  streaked 
black  and  olive  green  ;  rest  of  upper  parts 
gray,  tinged  with  olive  green  and  streaked 
with  black;  wings  and  tail  black,  wings 
crossed  by  two  white  bands  ;  tail  with  two 
outer  pairs  of  feathers  largely  white.  Adult 
female  in  spring  and  summer:  like  winter 
male,  but  forehead  and  crown  largely  yel- 
low ;  streaks  on  back  restricted  ;  body  less  j,; 
brownish ;  throat  and  chest  often  with 


422  WOOD   WARBLERS 

dusky  patch.  Adult  male  in  fall  and  winter:  like  summer  male,  but  yel- 
low of  crown  and  occiput  obscured  by  olive  tips  to  feathers,  black  streaks 
of  back  obscured  by  grayish  edges  to  feathers,  and  black  throat  patch 
with  whitish  tips.  Adult  female  in  fall  and  winter :  upper  parts  plain 
grayish  olive,  crown  with  traces  of  yellow ;  under  parts  brownish  white, 
throat  and  chest  with  feathers  dusky  below  the  surface.  Young  male  in 
Jirst  fall  and  winter :  like  adult  fall  male,  but  crown  'olive  green,  back 
more  olive,  streaking1  concealed  or  obsolete  ;  sides  of  head  paler  yellow 
washed  with  olive  ;  throat  and  chest  whitish  or  yellowish,  feathers  black 
under  the  surface  ;  rest  of  under  parts  soiled  white  ;  sides  and  flanks 
tinged  with  olive  brown.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.41-4.80,  wing  2.48-2.72, 
tail  1.93-2.05,  bill  .3T-.43.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.37-4.72,  wing  2.44- 
2.48,  tail  1.83-2.01,  bill  .3S-.39. 

Remarks.  —  The  adult  males  of  this  group  of  warblers  may  be  distin- 
guished by  the  color  pattern  of  the  side  of  the  head.  In  the  hermit  it  is 
plain  yellow ;  in  the  black-throated  green,  crossed  by  an  olive  eye  streak ; 
in  the  yellow-cheeked,  by  a  narrow  black  streak ;  and  in  the  Townsend 
by  a  wide  black  band  between  superciliary  and  malar  streaks. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  high  mountains  from  British  Columbia  to  Cali- 
fornia, and  from  the  Pacific  coast  district  of  the  United  States  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains  ;  migrates  to  Lower  California,  Mexico,  and  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  coniferous  trees,  made  of  weed  stems  and  pine  needles,  bound 
by  cobwebs  and  woolly  materials,  and  lined  with  strips  of  cedar  bark. 
Eggs :  dull  white  or  grayish,  spotted  or  blotched  with  lilac  gray  or  browns, 
chiefly  around  larger  end. 

"The  hermit  warbler  is  a  frequenter  of  the  conifers,  although  it 
feeds  in  the  bushes  and  black  oaks  in  common  with  other  species. 
Its  song  is  different  from  that  of  any  other  Sierra  warbler,  and  seems 
well  represented  by  the  words  zeegle-zeegle-zeegle-zeek,  which  I  borrow 
from  Mr.  Bowles,  of  Waldo,  Oregon.  At  close  range  the  song  of 
the  hermit  warbler  appears  weak  rather  than  otherwise,  yet  at  Fyffe 
I  was  impressed  with  its  penetration,  The  bird  will  often  mount  to 
the  higher  branches  of  the  conifers  by  successive  hops,  much  after 
the  manner  of  the  blue-fronted  jay."  (Barlow.) 

672.  Dendroica  palmarum  (Gmel.}.    PALM  WARBLER. 

Adults  in  summer.  —  Crown  chestnut,  bordered  by  yellow  superciliary  ; 
back  olive  or  brown,  narrowly  streaked  with  darker  and  becoming  olive 
green  on  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts  ;  two  outer  tail  feathers  with  large 
terminal  spots  of  white  ;  throat,  breast,  and  under  tail  coverts  light  yellow  ; 
chest,  and  sometimes  sides  of  throat,  more  or  less  streaked ;  belly  whitish, 
more  or  less  mixed  with  yellowish.  Adults  in  winter :  chestnut  of  crown 
obscured  or  concealed  ;  throat  and  chest  whitish  instead  of  yellowish. 
Young  in  first  fall  and  winter  :  similar,  but  upper  parts  browner,  supercil- 
iary less  distinct,  and  markings  of  under  parts  more  suffused.  Length : 
4.50-5.50,  wing  2.52,  tail  2.24. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  of  North  America,  north  to  Fort  Churchill, 
Hudson  Bay,  and  Great  Slave  Lake ;  migrates  through  the  Mississippi 
valley,  wintering  in  the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  states,  the  West  Indies, 
and  eastern  Mexico ;  accidental  at  Denver,  Colorado,  and  on  the  Pacific 
eoast,  California. 

Nest .  —  On  the  ground,  made  of  grass,  strips  of  bark,  and  moss,  lined 


WOOD  WARBLERS  423 

with   down  and  feathers.      Eggs:    yellowish   or   creamy  white,  spotted 
chiefly  around  the  larger  end  with  brown  and  purple. 

GENUS    SEIURUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  with  rictal  bristles  short,  but  evident ;  wings 
pointed,  much  longer  than  tail ;  tail  nearly  even  ;  tarsus  longer  than  mid- 
dle toe  and  claw. 

KEY  TO  ADULTS. 

1.  Crown  with  orange  brown  patch  inclosed  by  blackish  stripes. 

aurocapillus,  p.  423. 
1'.  Crown  plain  brown  like  back notabilis,  p.  423. 

674.  Seiurus  aurocapillus  (Linn.).    OVEN-BIRD. 

Adults.  —  Crown  with  orange  brown  patch  bordered  by  two  blackish  stripes ; 
rest  of  upper  parts  olive  green ;  under  parts  white,  streaked 
with  blackish  across  breast  and  on  sides.  In  winter,  colors 
rather  brighter.  Young  :  crown  without  stripes,  back  deep 
brown,  narrowly  streaked  with  blackish  ;  under  parts  strong 
buff  y,  with  narrow  lines  of  blackish.  Male  :  length  (skins) 
5.00-5.65,  wing  2.79-3.11,  tail  2.05-2.28,  bill  .44-.40.  Fe- 
male:  length  (skins)  4.90-5.45,  wing  2.75-3.11,  tail  1.96- 
2.34,  bill  .4S-.47. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  eastern  North  America  northwest  to  Alaska 
and  from  the  Arctic  Circle  to  Virginia  and  southern  Kansas ;  west  to  the 
base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  ;  winters  in  southern  Florida,  the  West  Indies, 
and  southern  Mexico  to  Panama. 

Nest.  —  In  dry  woods  imbedded  in  ground,  made  of  dry  leaves  usually 
roofed  over,  the  entrance  on  one  side.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  white  or  creamy, 
spotted  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac  gray. 

675a.  Seiurus  noveboracensis  notabilis  (Eidgw.).    GRIN- 
NELL  WATER-THRUSH. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  sooty  olive  brown ;  superciliary  dingy  white ; 
stripe  through  eye  dark  brown  ;  under  parts  usually  white  with  little  if 
any  yellow  tinge  ;  throat  finely,  and  breast  and 
sides  broadly  streaked  with  blackish.  Young  : 
like  adults,  but  streaks  on  under  parts  less  dis- 
tinct, and  feathers  of  upper  parts  tipped  with 
light  fulvous,  producing  a  spotted  appearance. 

Male:  length  (skins)  5.14-5.84,  wing  2.90-3.20,  tail  2.00-2.25,  bill  .49-.63. 
Female :  length  (skins)  5.01-5.99,  wing  2.88-3.11,  tail  1.92-2.28,  bill  .48-.S6. 

Distribution.  —  From  Alaska  and  British  America  (Fort  Churchill)  south 
to  Mexico,  and  from  Illinois  west  to  the  Pacific  coast ;  winters  from  the 
southern  border  of  the  United  States  south  to  Lower  California,  Mexico, 
and  northern  South  America. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  in  wet  woods  or  on  borders  of  swamps ; 
made  of  moss  and  grass,  sometimes  lined  with  fur.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  white, 
spotted  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac  gray. 

The  Grinnell  water-thrush,  like  the  other  water-thrushes,  is  a  soli- 
tary bird  walking  quietly  over  the  banks  of  forest  brooks  or  wading 
in  their  shallows  tilting  its  tail  like  a  pipit.  When  its  emotions  are 
stirred,  it  bursts  forth  into  a  loud  musical  song. 


424  WOOD  WARBLERS 

GENUS   GEOTHLYPIS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  slender,  its  greatest  depth  less  than  half  the 
distance  from  nostril  to  tip ;  tail  rounded  or  graduated,  or  with  basal  two 
thirds  hidden  by  coverts. 

KEY   TO  ADULT   SPRING  MALES. 

1.  Head,  neck,  and  chest  gray. 

2.  Lores  black ;  a  distinct  white  spot  on  each  eyelid.     Western. 

tolmiei,  p.  424. 
2'.  Lores  not  black ;  a  continuous  white  orbital  ring.     Eastern. 

agilis,  p.  424. 
1'.  Head,  neck,  and  chest  mainly  yellow ;  sides  of  head  black. 

2.  Bill  slender,  its  greatest  depth  much  less  than  half  its  length  from 

nostril. 

3.  Larger,  with  wider  frontal  band  .     .     .     occidentalis,  p.  425. 
3'.  Smaller,  with  narrower  frontal  band.     Pacific  coast  region. 

arizela,  p.  426. 

2'.  Bill  very  stout,  its  greatest  depth  much  more  than  half  its  length 
from  nostril.     Rio  Grande  Valley,  Texas .     .     .     ralphi,  p.  426. 

Subgenus  Oporornis. 

Wings  pointed,  longer  than  tail ;  tail  nearly  even,  more  than  basal  half 
concealed  by  coverts. 

678.  Geothlypis  agilis  (Wils.).    CONNECTICUT  WARBLER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Head,  neck,  and  chest  ash  gray  ; 
eye  with  conspicuous  white  ring ;  gray  of  chest  sharply  contrasting  with 
yellow  of  under  parts  ;  sides  and  flanks  olive  green  ;  back  dark  olive  green. 
Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer :  similar,  but  top  of  head  uniform  with 
back ;  throat  and  breast  brownish.  Adult  male  in  Jail  and  winter :  like 
summer  male,  but  gray  of  forehead  and  crown  tinged  with  brown,  and 
feathers  of  throat  and  chest  tipped  with  paler.  Young  male  in  first  fall 
and  winter  :  like  adult  female,  but  crown  brownish  olive,  and  chest  darker, 
more  olivaceous.  Young  female  in  first  fall  and  winter  :  like  young  male, 
but  smaller,  and  with  throat  and  chest  more  strongly  tinged  with  brownish 
buffy.  Male :  length  (skins)  5.00-5.42,  wing  2.79-2.97,  tail  1.84-2.08,  bill 
.45-.40.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.80-5.81,  wing  2.65-2.83,  tail  1.84-1.94, 
bill  .40-.47. 

Distribution.  —  Eastern  North  America,  breeding  in  Manitoba  and  Onta- 
rio ;  migrating  to  northern  South  America ;  accidental  in  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  swampy  woods ;  very  compact.  Eggs :  4,  white  or 
creamy,  spotted  with  lilac  gray  and  shades  of  brown. 

Subgenus  Geothlypis. 
Wings  short  and  much  rounded ;  tail  rounded. 

680.  Geothlypis  tolmiei  (Towns.).    MACGILLFVRAY  WARBLER. 

Adult  male  in  spring  and  summer.  —  Head,  throat,  and  breast  slate  gray ; 
throat  feathers  edged  with  ash  ;  rest  of  under  parts  yellow ;  lores  deep 
black ;  eyelids  with  distinct  white  spots  ;  back  olive  green,  sometimes 
tinged  with  gray.  Adult  female  in  spring  and  summer:  like  adult  male, 
but  crown,  hind  neck,  and  sides  of  head  and  neck  mouse  gray,  fading  to 
pale  grayish  or  grayish  white  oh  throat  and  breast.  Adult  male  in  fall 


WOOD   WARBLERS  425 

and  winter :  like  summer  male,  but  feathers  of  crown  and  hind  neck  tipped 

with  brown  and  light  edges  of  feathers  on 

throat  and  chest  broader,  sometimes  almost 

concealing  black  centers.     Adult  female   in 

fall  and  winter :  like  summer   female,  but 

plumage  softer,  and  sides  of  throat  and  chest 

more  grayish.    Young  female  injirst  autumn: 

like  fall  adult  female,  but  crown  and  hind 

neck  like  back  instead  of  gray,  throat  and 

chest  yellowish  instead  of  grayish ;  marks  on 

eyelids  yellowish,  and  streak  over  lores  pale 

yellow.       Male:    length    (skins)    4.67-5.44, 

wing  2.34-2.56,  tail  2.08-2.48,  bill  .43-.46. 

Female :  length  (skins)  4.63-5.04,  wing  2. 15-  „ 

2.36,  tail  1.91-2.28.  bill  .42-.4S.  Flg' ^    Macgilhvray  Warbler. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  British  Columbia  and  western  United  States, 
from  the  eastern  foothills  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Pacific  coast 
ranges ;  winters  in  Lower  California  and  Mexico,  and  from  Central  Amer- 
ica to  Colombia. 

Nest.  —  Near  ground  in  clumps  of  weeds  or  bushes,  often  in  open  places 
in  mountains,  made  of  dried  grasses  lined  with  finer  grass,  and  sometimes 
horsehair.  Eggs  :  3,  white  or  buffy,  speckled  on  larger  end  with  dark 
brown  and  lilac  gray,  with  a  few  pen  lines  and  rusty  stains. 

The  Macgillivray  warbler  is  one  of  the  commonest  of  western  war- 
blers, frequenting  chaparral  and  underbrush  especially  near  water, 
from  the  lower  levels  to  the  high  mountains,  and  the  appearance  of 
a  little  gray  head  peering  out  shyly  from  the  bushes  becomes  a  pleas- 
antly familiar  mountain  sight. 

681  a.  Geothlypis  trichas  occidentalis  Brewst.    WESTERN 

YELLOW-THROAT.1 

Adult  male.  —  Forehead  and  sides  of  head  black,  bordered  above  with 
white,  sometimes  tinged  with  yellow ;  rest  of  upper  parts  plain  olive 
green ;  under  parts  deep  yellow.  In  win- 
ter, washed  with  brown.  Adult  female  : 
without  black,  ashy,  or  white  ;  upper  parts 
olive  brown,  often  tinged  with  reddish 
brown  on  crown,  greenish  on  tail ;  under 
parts  pale  yellowish  or  yellowish  white. 
Young  male  in  first  winter :  like  adult,  but 
black  mask  less  distinct.  Male :  length 
(skins)  4.53-5.00,  wing  2.17-2.36,  tail  2.01- 
2.22,  bill  .43-.47.  Female :  length  (skins) 
4.33-4.76,  wing  2.05-2.15,  tail  1.93-2.09, 
bill  .41-.43.  Fig.  536. 

1  Geothlypis  trichas  scirpicola  Grinnell.    TULE  YELLOW-THBOAT. 

Like  occidentalis^  but  brighter  colored  and  larger,  with  longer  tail. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  fresh  water  tule  beds  along  coast  of  southern  California. 
(The  Condor,  Hi.  65.) 

Geothlypis  trichas  sinuosa  Grinnell.    SALT  MARSH  YELLOW-THROAT. 

Like  occidentalis,  but  smaller,  and  back  and  sides  darker. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  about  salt  marshes  of  San  Francisco  Bay  and  vicinity.  ( The 
Condor,  iii.  65.) 


426  WOOD  WARBLERS 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  British  Columbia  to  Arizona,  and  from  the 
Mississippi  Valley  to  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  Cascades ;  migrates  to  Central 
America. 

Nest.  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  supported  by  weed  or  sedge  stalks, 
deeply  cup  shaped,  usually  with  a  thick  foundation  of  grass  or  leaves,  some- 
times lined  with  hair.  Eggs  :  often  4,  white,  finely  speckled  on  larger  end 
with  dark  brown  and  black,  sometimes  with  a  few  larger  spots  or  lines. 

The  yellow -throats  are  found  in  damp  brushy  thickets,  swampy 
patches  of  rank  vegetable  growths,  and  tule  marshes.  As  they 
clamber  over  the  stalks  the  little  yellow  birds  stop  to  raise  their  odd 
black-masked  heads,  and  sing  out  a  loud  penetrating,  ringing  wreech- 
ity,  wreech-ity,  wreech-ity,  wreech-ity,  which  varies  greatly  with  the 
individual.  In  addition  to  this  ordinary  song  they  have  an  impas- 
sioned love-song  which  they  give  in  air  with  something  of  the  excited 
posturing  of  the  chat. 

The  songs  of  the  males  are  as  conspicuous  as  their  coats,  and  they 
look  out  from  their  thickets  upon  passers-by  with  mild  interest,  but 
their  mates,  with  only  the  family  chack  and  plain  dull  yellowish  coats 
are  timid  little  creatures,  and  if  they  accidentally  come  to  the  edge 
of  their  bush  when  you  are  by,  slip  back  out  of  sight  in  a  trice. 

68  lc.  G.  t.  arizela  Oberh.    PACIFIC  YELLOW-THROAT. 

Similar  to  occidentalis,  but  smaller,  and  with  smaller  bill,  shorter  wing 
and  tail,  duller  coloration,  and  white  band  on  head  narrower ;  yellow  of 
under  parts  less  orange.  Male:  length  (skins)  4.49-4.92,  wing  2.07-2.28, 
tail  1.94-2.24,  bill  .S9-.43.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.25-4.72,  wing  2.00- 
2.08,  tail  1.89-1.97,  bill  .39. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  region  from  British  Columbia  to  northern 
Lower  California,  east  to  the  Cascades  and  the  Sierra  Nevada ;  south  in 
winter  through  Lower  California  and  western  Mexico. 

Subgenus  Chamsethlypis. 

682.1.  Geothlypis  poliocephala  ralphi  Eidgw.  Rio  GRANDE 
YELLOW-THROAT. 

Adult  male. — Lores  black;  top  of  head  bluish  gray;  rest  of  upper 
parts  olive  green,  tinged  with  gray,  especially  on  tail ;  under  parts  yellow, 
becoming  buffy  whitish  on  belly  and  anal  region.  Male :  length  (skins) 
5.16-5.63,  wing  2.17-2.44,  tail  2.20-2.64,  bill  .39-.47.  Female:  length 
(skins)  5.0CW5.31,  wing  2.00-2.16,  tail  2.17-2.36,  bill  .43-.47. 

Distribution.  —  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley,  in  Texas. 

GENUS    ICTEBIA. 

683a,  Icteria  virens  longicauda  Latvr.  LONG-TAILED  CHAT. 
Bill  curved,  stout,  higher  than  broad  at  nostrils,  without  notch  or  bris- 
tles ;  wings  much  rounded ;  tail  long,  feet 
stout ;  outside  of  tarsus  almost  without 
scales  ;  tarsus  decidedly  longer  than  mid- 
dle toe  with  claw,  its  scutella  indistinct  or 
obsolete  on  outer  side.  Adults :  throat  and 

breast  vivid  yellow ;  belly  white ;  upper  parts  olive  gray ;  superciliary, 


WOOD   WARBLERS  427 

orbital  ring,  and  malar  stripe,  white;  lores,  and  line  under  eye  black. 
Young :  upper  parts  olive ;  lores  gray  instead  of  black ;  throat  whitish, 
chest,  sides,  and  flanks  grayish ;  rest  of  under  parts  white.  Male  :  length 
(skins)  6.26-7.28,  wing  2.95-3.31,  tail  3.01-3.39,  bill  .5S-.59.  Female. 
length  (skins)  6.38-6.97,  wing  2.87-3.15,  tail  2.83-3.23,  bill  .53-.S9. 

Distribution.  —  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones,  from  British 
Columbia  south  to  Lower  California  and  northern  Mexico,  and  from  the 
Plains  to  the  Pacific  coast ;  breeds  south  to  Valley  of  Mexico ;  United  States 
birds  mainly  migrate  to  southern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  briery  thickets,  made  largely  of  dry  leaves,  strips  of  grape- 
vine bark,  and  grasses,  lined  with  finer  grasses.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  white  or 
pinkish,  spotted  with  gray  and  shades  of  brown. 

Food.  —  Beetles  and  other  insects,  and  berries. 

The  chat's  coming  in  the  spring  is  like  the  arrival  of  a  brass  band. 
In  Farmington,  Utah,  one  May,  when  he  appeared  he  fairly  per- 
vaded the  village  —  that  is,  his  voice  did  —  his  yellow-fronted  person 
was  in  sight  just  once,  to  my  best  knowledge.  But  as  you  went  along 
the  streets  he  fairly  shouted  in  your  ears  —  from  inside  dark  thickets 
behind  fences.  And  if  you  appeared  in  front  of  the  bush  on  which 
he  was  singing,  he  would  at  once  raise  his  voice  from  the  next  bush 
behind !  And  so  he  would  lead  you  through  bush  and  briar,  skulk- 
ing out  of  sight  and  crying  as  if  consciously  deriding  your  awkward 
attempts  at  intrusion,  So!  ho!  tut-tut-tut-tut-tut-tut-tut !  One  of 
his  favorite  amusements  is  to  give  a  whistle,  as  if  he  were  calling  a 
dog  and  meant  to  be  obeyed.  When  not  whistling,  or  scolding  like 
an  oriole,  calling  like  a  cuckoo,  or  piping  like  a  shrill-voiced  rock 
squirrel,  he  will  bark  like  a  dog. 

The  chat  is  not  only  moved  to  mock  his  neighbors,  but  performs 
in  most  remarkable  manner  in  his  own  proper  person  — in  air.  Mr. 
Torrey  gives  a  good  description  of  chat  antics.  "  I  caught  the  fel- 
low," he  says,  "in  the  midst  of  a  brilliant  display  of  his  clownish 
tricks,  ridiculous,  indescribable.  At  a  little  distance  it  is  hard  to 
believe  that  he  can  be  a  bird,  that  dancing,  shapeless  thing,  bal- 
ancing itself  in  the  air  with  dangling' legs,  and  prancing,  swaying 
motions." 

GENUS  WILSONIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  not  more  than  half  as  long  as  head,  broad 
and  flattened  at  base ;  rictal  bristles  distinct ;  wings  pointed,  longer  than 
tail ;  tarsus  decidedly  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw. 

KEY  TO  ADULT   MALES. 

1.  Throat  with  black  necklace ;  crown  gray  .  .  canadensis,  p.  428. 
1'.  Throat  without  black  necklace ;  crown  black. 

2.  Upper  parts  brighter  green,  forehead  often  orange.     Great  Basin  to 

Pacific pileolata,  p.  428. 

2'.  Upper  parts   duller  green,  forehead   always  yellow.     From  higher 
Rocky  Mountains  northeast pusilla,  p.  428. 


428  WOOD   WARBLERS 

685.  Wilsonia  pusilla  ( Wils.}.     WILSON  WARBLER. 

Similar  to  pileolata,  but  not  so  bright ;  wings  and  tail  shorter,  bill  broader 
and  darker  colored.  Male  :  length  (skins)  4.05-4.45,  wing  2.09- 
2.64,  tail  1.83-1.97,  bill  .2S-.35.  Female:  length  (skins)  4.10- 
4.45,  wing  2.05-2.17,  tail  1.81-1.95,  bill  .31-35. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Hudson  Bay  region  south  to 
Fig.  538.  Maine ;  migrates  sometimes  through  the  Rocky  Mountain  district 
to  eastern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Imbedded   in   ground  in  swampy  woods,   made  of   leaves  and 
grasses,  lined  with  finer  grasses  and  hairs.  Eggs  :  4  or  5,  white  or  creamy, 
speckled  with  reddish  brown  and  purplish. 
Food.  —  Largely  winged  insects. 

685a.  W.  p.  pileolata  (Pa//.).    PILEOLATED  WARBLER.! 

Adult  male.  —  Crown  glossy  blue  black  ;  back  bright  yellowish  olive 
green ;  under  parts  vivid  yellow  ;  forehead  often  orange  yellow.  Adult 
female :  similar,  but  crown  patch  often  wanting.  Young :  like  adult 
male,  but  black  of  crown  nearly  obscured  by  olive  wash.  Male :  length 
(skins)  4.13-4.49,  wing  2.17-2.36,  tail  1.85-2.05,  bill  .2S-.35.  Female: 
length  (skins)  4.13-4.57,  wing  2.15-2.24,  tail  1.87-1.97,  bill  .30-.35. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Great  Basin  to  the  Pacific,  and  north 
to  Alaska,  migrating  through  western  Texas  to  Costa  Rica. 

Nest.  —  In  willow  thickets  and  among  blackberry  vines,  on  or  near  the 
ground*  made  of  willow  leaves,  weed  stems,  and  grasses.  Eggs :  2  to  4, 
creamy,  spotted  with  reddish  and  lilac  over  entire  surface  or  around  larger 
end. 

Seen  in  migration  when  the  dainty  pileolated  warbler  has  plenty 
of  leisure,  his  airy  ways  are  peculiarly  charming.  He  usually  hunts 
in  low  bushes,  and  as  he  suddenly  appears  through  a  chink  in  the 
dull  chaparral  wall  the  intense  brilliant  yellow  of  the  little  beauty 
set  off  by  his  shining  jet  black  crown  gives  you  a  thrill  of  surprise 
and  delight. 

He  is  winningly  trustful  and  wilt  come  close  to  you  and  with 
wings  hanging  turn  his  head  and  look  up  at  you  from  under  his 
jaunty  cap,  then  whip  along  with  a  jerk  of  his  tail.  As  he  goes  he 
stops  to  run  up  a  twig,  leans  down  to  peck  under  a  leaf,  flutters 
under  a  spray  like  a  hummingbird,  and  then  flies  off  singing  his 
happy  song. 

On  his  breeding  grounds  in  the  mountain  meadows  when  feeding 
young  he  has  much  to  occupy  his  mind,  and  flies  back  and  forth 
through  his  willow  thicket  in  a  preoccupied  way,  giving  his  flat 
chip  and  inspecting  you  with  an  anxious  parental  air  in  passing. 

686.  Wilsonia  canadensis  (Linn.),    CANADIAN  WARBLER. 
Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  yellow ;  throat  bordered  by  black  lines,  and 

1  Wilsonia  pusilla  chryseola  Ridgway.     GOLDEN  PILEOLATED  WAEBLEE. 

Like  pileolata,  but  slightly  smaller  and  much  brighter  colored. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  district  of  United  States  and  British  Columbia,  breeding 
from  British  Columbia  to  southern  California ;  migrating  to  eastern  Oregon,  Arizona, 
Lower  California,  and  northern  Mexico.  (Birds  of  North  and  Middle  America,  ii.  714.) 


PILEOLATED  WARBLER 


WOOD   WARBLERS  429 

chest  with  necklace  of  black  streaks;  orbital  ring  white  or  yellowish; 

crown  black,  feathers  edged  with  gray ;  rest  of  upper  parts 

gray.     Adult  female  and  young  in  fall :  similar,  but  black 

replaced  by  gray  tinged  with  olive.     Young  female :  chest 

markings  sometimes  obsolete.     Young,  first  plumage  :  upper 

parts   brownish,  gray   below   the   surface  ;   wings  with  two 

buffy  bars ;  sides  of  head,  throat,   and  chest  buffy  brown ; 

rest  of  under  parts  yellow.     Male:  length  (skins)  4.76-5.17,        Fig.  539. 

wing  2.54-2.64,  tail  2.15-2.26,  bill  .40-44.     Female:  length  Canadian  War- ' 

(skins)  4.57-4.91,  wing  2.38-2.54,  tail  2.00-2.10,  bill  .S9-.45.  bler' 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  zone  of  northeastern  North  America, 
from  Lake  Winnipeg,  Hudson  Bay,  southern  Labrador,  and  Newfoundland 
south  to  southern  New  England,  Wisconsin,  and  the  Alleghanies ;  casually 
to  Colorado  ;  winters  from  Mexico  south  to  South  America. 

Nest.  —  In  clumps  of  weeds  or  tussocks  of  grass  in  swampy  woods,  made 
of  leaves  and  lined  with  pine  needles,  rootlets,  and  horsehair.  Eggs :  3  to 
5,  white  or  buffy  white,  spotted  around  larger  end  with  reddish  brown  and 
lilac,  usually  mixed  with  a  few  black  specks  or  pen  lines. 

GENUS   SETOPHAGA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  about  half  as  long  as  head,  much  depressed, 
broad  at  base,  sharply  ridged  for  basal  half  or  more,  straight,  decurved  at 
tip ;  rictal  bristles  reaching  beyond  nostrils ;  wings  pointed,  vail  long  and 
fan-shaped,  with  broad  flat  feathers  widening  at  ends ;  feet  slender ;  tarsus 
with  scutella  distinct. 

KEY  TO   ADULT  MALES. 

1.  Under  parts  mainly  white,  with  orange  patches  .     .     ruticilla.  p.  429. 
1'.  Under  parts  mainly  dark  rose  red picta,  p.  430. 

687.  Setophaga  ruticilla  (Linn.).    AMERICAN  REDSTART. 

Adult  male.  —  Black  with  bluish  gloss,  except  for  white  belly  and 
under  tail  coverts,  and  salmon  or  orange  patches  on  sides  of  breast, 
wings,  and  tail.  Adult  female  :  black  of  male  replaced  by 
grayish  olive,  and  orang'e  by  yellow.  Immature  male :  similar 
to  female,  but  smaller,  browner,  and  color  patches  deeper ; 
after  first  winter  plumage  interspersed  with  black  feathers. 
Immature  female :  like  adult  female,  but  gray  more  brownish, 
throat  and  chest  tinged  with  brownish  buff ;  yellow  of  breast 
less  distinct,  and  that  on  wings  partly  or  wholly  concealed. 
Young,  first  plumage :  upper  parts  grayish  brown  ;  under  parts  grayish 
white,  pale  gray  on  chest ;  breast  without  yellow ;  wings  and  tail  like 
older  birds,  but  with  two  whitish  or  yellowish  bands.  Male :  length 
(skins)  4.61-5.00,  wing  2.40-2.64,  tail  2.05-2.28,  bill  .28-35.  Female: 
length  (skins)  4.41-4.76,  wing  2.28-2.60,  tail  1.93-2.28,  bill  .31-.35. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  British  Columbia  and  Fort  Simpson  to  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico  and  from  the  Atlantic  west  regularly  to  the  Great  Basin  ; 
casually  to  California,  Oregon,  Arizona,  and  Lower  California ;  winters 
in  the  West  Indies,  and  from  southern  Mexico  to  northern  South  Amer- 
ica. 

Nest.  —  Cup-shaped,  compact,  made  largely  of  plant  fibers  and  strips  of 
bark  and  web,  7  to  30  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs  :  3  to  5,  white,  green- 
ish or  grayish,  spotted  chiefly  around  larger  end  with  brown  and  lilac. 

Food.  —  Insects. 


430  WOOD  WARBLERS 

The  American  redstart  is  a  bird  of  the  open  deciduous  woods, 
building  usually  in  saplings.  It  goes  about  its  work  with  drooping 
wings,  its  long  fan-tail  opening  and  shutting  to  show  its  bright  color 
patches  as  it  flashes  about  tumbling  through  the  air  after  insects. 
Of  its  two  characteristic  songs  the  longer  one  is  hurried  and  accented 
at  the  end. 

688.  Setophaga  picta  Swains.    PAINTED  REDSTART. 

Adults.  —  Black,  except  for  red  belly  and  white  of  eyelid,  wing  patch,  under 
tail  coverts,  and  outer  tail  feathers.  Young,  first  plumage :  upper  parts  sooty 
black ;  wings  and  tail  like  adults,  but  white  wing  patch  tipped  with  buff ; 
under  parts  sooty  gray,  becoming  white  on  middle  of  belly ;  breast  spotted 
or  streaked  with  blackish.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.84-5.04,  wing  2.68-2.95, 
tail  2.40-2.68,  bill  .31-.35.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.92-5.32,  wing  2.64- 
2.76,  taU  2.36-2.54,  bill  .33-.35. 

Distribution.  —  From  mountains  of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  south  to 
Mexico,  Vera  Cruz,  Hidalgo,  Oaxaca,  Guatemala,  and  Honduras. 

Nest.  —  In  cavities  in  banks  or  among  rocks,  near  water ;  made  of  vege- 
table fibers  and  leaves,  and  lined  with  grass  and  hair.  Eggs :  3  to  4,  white, 
finely  speckled  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac. 

The  red,  white,  and  black  painted  redstarts  frequent  the  evergreen 
oaks  and  the  pines  and  alders  of  the  mountain  ranges  of  southern 
Arizona.  They  are  usually  found  near  springs  and  waterfalls.  In 
motions  they  are  typical  redstarts,  Mr.  Henshaw  says,  passing  rapidly 
along  the  branches  of  trees  with  half-shut  wings  and  outspread  tail, 
now  and  then  darting  after  a  passing  fly.  Mr.  H.  O.  Howard  says 
they  may  be  seen  hopping  about  on  mossy  banks  and  stumps  of  large 
trees. 

GENUS    CARDELLINA. 

690.  Cardellina  rubrifrons  (Giraud).    RED-FACED  WARBLEB. 

Bill  not  more  than  half  as  long  as  head,  high  at  base,  curved ;  rictal 
bristles  stiff ;  wings  long ;  tail  shorter  than  wings,  nearly  even ;  feet  small ; 
tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

Adults.  —  Throat,  forehead,  and  stripe  back  to  nape  bright  red  ;  crown 
black ;  nuchal  patch  and  rump  white ;  rest  of  upper  parts  gray ;  under 
parts  soiled  whitish.  Young  in  first  fall  and  winter :  duller,  black  re- 
placed by  brown  ;  red  paler ;  white  of  under  parts  and  nuchal  patch  tinged 
with  buffy  or  salmon.  Male :  length  (skins)  4.65-5.32,  wing  2.58-2.78,  tail 
2.24-2.40,  bill  .31-.35.  Female :  length  (skins)  4.45-4.96,  wing  2.48-2.76, 
tail  2. 18-2.40,  bill  .29-.35. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  and  New  Mexico  south  to  Guate- 
mala. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  under  a  vine  or  bunch  of  grass,  or  near  a  fallen 
log;  made  largely  of  fine  straws,  rootlets,  strips  of  bark,  leaves,  and  hair. 
Eggs:  4,  white,  spotted  with  reddish  brown  over  the  entire  shell,  most 
thickly  around  the  larger  end. 

The  red-faced  warbler  is  found  on  the  mountains  in  the  southern 
parts  of  Arizona  and  New  Mexico  among  the  pines  and  spruces.  Its 
habits,  Mr.  Henshaw  says,  combine  those  of  the  chickadees,  red 


WAGTAILS  431 

starts,  and  other  warblers.  Its  favorite  hunting  places  are  the  tips 
of  spruce  branches,  over  which  it  passes  with  a  quick  motion  and  a 
peculiar  and  constant  sidewise  jerk  of  the  tail.  Mr.  Scott  says  it 
has  a  clear  whistling  song. 


FAMILY  MOTACILLID JE :  WAGTAILS. 

GENUS   ANTHUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  shorter  than  head,  about  as  wide  as  high  at 
base,  compressed,  acute,  and  notched  at  tip ;  wings  longer  than  tail. 

KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Hind  claw  decidedly  longer  than  toe spragueii,  p.  432. 

1'.  Hind  claw  about  equal  to  toe pensilvanicus,  p.  431. 

Subgenus  Anthus. 

697.  Anthus  pensilvanicus  (Lath.).  PIPIT. 

Hind  claw  about  equal  to  toe.     Adults  in  summer:  upper  parts  gray- 
ish     brown,     indistinctly 
streaked  ;   wing  blackish 
^^^^  brown,    with    two     buffy 

wine1  bars  and  light  edg- 

r  iir.  »>4 1 .  .  i     *i    i  i       i  •    i        • 

ings ;  tail  blackish,  inner 

web   of   outside  feather  largely  white,  second   feather 
tipped  with  white  ;  superciliary  stripe  and  under  parts  Fig  543. 

light  buffy,  chin  lighter,  chest  streaked  with   dusky. 
Adults  in  winter :  browner  above,  lighter  below,  streaks  on  breast  usually 
broader.      Young:  similar,  but  washed  with  brown,  and  more  distinctly 
streaked.     Length  :  6-7,  wing  3.20-3.50,  tail  2.65-2.85. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  at  large,  breeding  in  the  higher  parts  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  Cascades,  and  subarctic  districts,  wintering  in  the 
Gulf  states,  Nevada,  California,  Mexico,  and  Central  America. 

Nest.  —  On  ground,  bulky  and  rather  compact,  made  of  dried  mosses 
and  grasses,  lined  with  hair  and  feathers.  Eggs :  4  to  6,  nearly  uniform 
brown  from  dense  spotting. 

Food.  —  Small  shells,  crustaceans,  insects,  and  small  seeds. 

Flocks  of  these  strange  little  northerners  with  demure  garb,  plain- 
tive voices,  and  the  ways  of  wanderers  are  often  met  abroad  in  the 
land  in  spring  and  fall.  In  some  parts  of  the  dry  country  they  are 
seen  more  generally  in  the  seasons  of  heavy  rainfall.  They  may  be 
met  in  a  ploughed  vineyard,  on  a  vacant  city  lot,  or  in  the  open 
country.  If  startled  they  rise  from  the  ground  showing  their  white 
tail  feathers,  with  a  wild  cheep  fly  for  a  short  distance,  wheel,  and 
return  to  their  feeding  ground.  The  earth  usually  matches  their 
tints  so  well  that  it  is  difficult  to  see  them,  though  their  wagging 
heads  and  tilting  tails  help  to  catch  the  eye. 

In  Colorado  the  pipits  nest  above  timberline  at  an  altitude  of  from 
11,000  to  13,000  feet,  and  in  August  many  of  the  birds  wander  to  the 


432  DIPPERS 

tops  of  the  peaks  at  14,000  feet.  In  the  breeding  season  the  males 
have  a  flight  song  similar  to  that  of  the  oven-bird,  often  ascending  a 
hundred  feet  singing  as  they  go,  and  afterwards  dropping  almost 
straight  to  the  ground. 

Subgenus  Neocorys. 

700.  Anthus  spragueii  (Aud.).    SPRAGUE  PIPIT. 

Hind  toe  and  claw  longer  than  tarsus.  Adults  in  summer :  upper  parts 
broadly  streaked  with  blackish  brown  and  grayish 
buff ;  wings  dusky,  with  pale  edgings ;  two  outer 
pairs  of  tail  feathers  chiefly  white ;  outside  pair 
sometimes  wholly  white ;  under  parts  dull  buffy 
white,  more  buffy  across  chest,  where  narrowly 
streaked  with  dusky.  Adults  in  winter:  browner 
above,  more  buffy  below,  and  chest  streaks  broader. 
Young :  upper  parts  brownish  buff,  broadly  streaked 
Fig.  543.  with  black ;  feathers  of  back  and  scapulars  tipped 

with  buffy  or  whitish ;  chin,  throat,  and  sides  of 

neck  whitish,  lower  throat  and  sides  of  neck  streaked  with  dusky;  rest  of 
under  parts  light  buff;  chest  and  sides  of  breast  streaked  with  black. 
Length :  5.75-7.00,  wing  3.20-3.40,  tail  2.35-2.60. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  the  interior  plains  of  North  America  from  the 
Saskatchewan  to  Nebraska,  and  from  the  Red  River  west,  probably,  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains ;  winters  in  Louisiana,  Texas,  and  northern  Mexico ;  acci- 
dental in  South  Carolina. 

Nest.  —  Like  that  of  A.  pensilvanicus,  but  eggs  pale  purplish  buffy  or 
buffy  white,  thickly  spotted  with  purplish  brown. 
Food.  —  Insects,  and  seeds  of  weeds  and  grasses. 

The  habits  of  the  Sprague  pipit  closely  resemble  those  of  the  other 
pipits.  In  Coues's  Birds  of  the  Northwest  there  is  an  enthusiastic 
description  of  the  flight  song  of  spragueii. 

FAMILY   CINCLnXZB:  DIPPERS. 
GENUS   CINCLUS. 

701.  Cinclus  mexicanus  Swains.     WATER  OUZEL:  DIPPER. 

Bill   shorter   than   head,   slender,   and  compressed ;    wing   short,  stiff, 

rounded,  with  ten  primaries, 
the  first  spurious  ;  tail  shorter 
than  wing,  soft,  of  twelve 
broad  rounded  feathers 
almost  hidden  by  coverts ; 

,-,.     _..  tarsus  without  scales ;  claws 

strongly  curved.     Adults   in 

summer :  whole  body  nearly  uniform  slate  gray,  a  trifle  lighter  below ; 
head  and  neck  faintly  tinged  with  brown.  Adults  in  winter :  similar, 
but  feathers  of  wings  and  under  parts  lightly  tipped  with  white.  Young  : 
similar  to  winter  plumage,  but  under  parts  more  or  less  mixed  with  white 
and  tinged  with  rusty.  Length:  7.00-8.50,  wing  3.40-3.81,  tail  1.90-2.12, 
bill  .60-.70. 

Distribution.  —  Mountainous  parts  of  central  and  western  North  America 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  433 

from  the  Yukon  to  Guatemala ;  east,  in  the  United  States,  to  the  eastern 
base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains ;  mainly  resident  throughout  its  range. 

Nest.  —  Among-  rocks,  near  running  water,  often  behind  a  cascade  ;  a 
bulky  oven-shaped  structure  open  on  the  side,  made  of  green  mosses. 
Eggs  :  3  to  5,  white. 

To  all  his  friends,  the  name  water  ouzel  calls  up  pictures  of  foam- 
ing cascaded  streams  in  the  heart  of  the  grand  old  western  moun- 
tains. What  a  quickening  touch  of  life  and  good  cheer  the  songster 
gives  to  the  lonely  canyons  and  forests  !  And  how  fascinating  it  is 
to  watch  him  as  he  pokes  about  in  wren-like  fashion  under  the  banks 
of  streams,  disappearing  in  dark  grottoes  and  behind  miniature  water- 
falls or  stepping  off  into  the  pools,  where  he  sinks  under  water  as 
easily  as  a  grebe ! 

When  resting  against  the  background  of  dark  rocks  he  would  be 
almost  invisible  did  he  not  keep  up  a  persistent  winking,  for  at  each 
wink  you  get  a  flash  from  his  white  nictitating  membrane.  He  also 
has  a  trick  of  bobbing,  winter  wren  style,  that  tells  the  tale  of  his 
whereabouts. 

In  a  southern  California  canyon  we  once  found  a  typical  ouzel 
nest  on  a  ledge  of  rock  opposite  a  waterfall  whose  spray  doubtless 
kept  the  moss  of  the  nest  fresh.  While  we  were  admiring  the  nest, 
one  of  the  old  birds  appeared  and  ran  up  the  slippery  face  of  the 
wet  rock  beside  the  waterfall  with  easy  unconcern. 

The  ouzels  do  not  leave  their  breeding  grounds  when  their  family 
cares  are  over,  but  stay  in  the  mountains  until  the  streams  are 
frozen,  and  Mr.  Batchelder  has  seen  one  swim  downstream  under 
the  ice.  In  the  Wasatch  in  December,  one  crisp,  clear  morning 
when  the  still  pools  were  frozen  over  and  there  was  ice  along  the 
edges  of  the  streams  and  iced  spray  on  the  bushes,  Mr.  Bailey's  ear 
was  caught  by  a  beautiful  song,  and  following  upstream  he  discov- 
ered an  ouzel  sitting  on  a  cake  of  ice  in  the  bright  sun  singing  as 
gayly  as  a  bobolink  in  June. 

(See  Muir's  Mountains  of  California  and  Olive  Thorne  Miller's 
Bird-Lover  in  the  West.) 

FAMILY   TROGLODYTID^E  :   WRENS,   THRASHERS, 

ETC. 

KEY   TO   GENERA. 

1.   Rictal  bristles  conspicuous. 


Fig.  545. 

2.  Tail  shorter  than  wing Oroscoptes,  p.  435. 

2  .  Tail  longer  than  wing. 


434 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 


3.  Exposed  culmen  equal  to  or 
longer  than  middle  toe 
without  claw. 

Toxostoma.  p.  437 


Fig.  547. 


V.  Exposed  culmen  decidedly  shorter  than  middle 
toe  without  claw. 

4.  Plumage  light  gray,  marked  with  white. 

Mimus.  p.  435. 


4'.  Plumage  slaty,  not  marked  with  white. 

Galeoscoptes,  p.  437. 


Fig.  549. 
1'.  Rictal  bristles  not  conspicuous. 

Fig.  550. 

2.  Length  7-8 .    Heleodytes,  p.  442. 

2'.  Length  3.50-6.50. 

3.  Tail  equal  to  or  longer  than  wing  ;  tail  mainly  blackish. 

Thryomanes,  p.  446. 

3'.  Tail  shorter  than  wing ;  tail  not  mainly  blackish. 
4.  Outside  toe  much  longer  than  inner. 

5.  Exposed  culmen  longer  than  tarsus ; 
largely  rusty  brown. 

Catherpes,  p.  444. 


5'.  Exposed  culmen  shorter  than  tar- 
sus ;  largely  grayish  brown. 

Salpinctes,  p.  443. 

Fig.  552. 
4'.  Outside  toe  not  markedly  longer  than  inner. 

5.   Tail  less  than  three  fourths  as  long  as  wing. 

Olbiorchilus,p.449. 

5'.  Tail    more    than    three   fourths 

as  long  as  wing. 

6.  Head  without    white    supercil- 
iary .  Troglodytes,  p.  448. 


Fig.  553. 


Fig.  554. 


6'.  Head  with  white  superciliary. 


Fig.  555. 


7.  Back  streaked  with  white. 

Cistothorus,  p.  449. 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  435 


7'.  Back  rusty  brown. 

Thryothorus,  p.  446. 


Fig.  556. 

GENUS   OROSCOPTES. 
702.  Oroscoptes  montanus  (Towns.).    SAGE  THRASHER. 

Bill  much  shorter  than  head  ;  rictal  bristles  well  developed;  wings  and 
tail  of  equal  length  ;   tail   graduated. 
Adults:      upper     parts     dull     grayish 
brown,    indistinctly     streaked ;    wings 
with  two  narrow  white  bars ;  tail  with 

inner   web   of    2   to   4   outer   feathers  F-     557 

tipped  with  white ;  under  parts  whitish, 

buffy  on  flanks  and  under  tail  coverts  ;  breast  and  sides  marked  with  brown 
to  sooty  spots.  Young :  like  adults,  but  upper  parts  indistinctly  streaked 
with  darker,  and  streaks  on  under  parts  less  sharply  defined.  Length  :  8- 
9,  wing  3.95-4.19,  tail  3.20-3.35,  bill  .60-.65. 

Distribution.  —  Sage  plains  from  M  ontana  south  to  northern  Mexico  and 
Lower  California,  and  from  western  Nebraska  to  the  Cascades  and  the 
Sierra  Nevada. 

Nest.  —  Bulky,  composed  largely  of  coarse  plant  stems,  dry  Sage 
shreds,  and  sage  bark,  lined  with  fine  rootlets,  and  sometimes  hair ;  placed 
usually  in  sagebrush.  Eggs :  3  to  5,  rich  greenish  blue,  spotted  with  clove 
brown. 

The  sage  thrasher,  and  the  Brewer,  Bell,  and  lark  sparrows,  are 
among  the  commonest  birds  of  the  sagebrush  country,  and  the  sage 
thrasher's  big  gray  body  with  its  white  tail  corners  shows  from  a 
distance  as  he  disappears  with  long  undulating  flight  over  the  face 
of  the  sage  plain. 

In  the  land  of  telegraph  poles  he  often  mounts  one  to  sing,  but 
his  commonest  perch  is  the  top  of  a  tall  sage  bush,  and  as  his  song 
is  poured  out  even  long  after  dark  and  sometimes  by  moonlight, 
with  scarcely  less  richness  than  the  true  thrasher's,  you  are  glad  he 
lives  in  the  deserts.  In  winter  he  leaves  the  sagebrush  and  wanders 
south  over  the  lower  valleys. 

GENUS    MIMUS. 

703a.  Mimus  polyglottos  leucopterus  (Vigors).  WESTERN 
MOCKINGBIRD. 

Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  notched  near  end ;  rictal  bristles  well 
developed  ;  wings  rounded  ;  tail  longer  than  wings,  rounded  ;  tarsus  longer 
than  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  scales  of  tarsus  distinct.  Adults :  upper  parts 
grayish  drab  ;  wings  and  tail  blackish,  wings  with  large  white  patch  at  base 
of  primaries,  wing  bars,  white-tipped  wing  quills,  and  tertials  with  whitish 
edgings ;  under  parts  white,  washed  with  clay  color.  Young  :  more  brown- 
ish above  ;  back  indistinctly  spotted  or  streaked  ;  breast  spotted.  Male  : 
wing  4.29-4.72,  tail  4.53-5.~32,  bill  .61-75.  Female :  wing  4.25-4.65,  tail 
4.43-5.08,  bill  .59-.71. 

Distribution.  —  Southwestern  United  States    from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 


436  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

(Texas)  to  the  Pacific  coast,  and  from  Indian  Territory  south  to  Oaxaca, 
Mexico,  and  over  Lower  California ;  resident  in  the  southern  and  lower 
portions  of  its  range  ;  migratory  in  the  northern  and  higher  portions. 

Nest.  —  Bulky,  made  of  sticks,  often  thorny  ones,  lined  with  finer  ma- 
terials, sometimes  gray  moss  or  cotton  ;  placed  in  thick  bushes,  thorny 
trees,  yuccas,  hedgerows,  and  vines.  Eggs :  4,  pale  bluish  or  greenish, 
spotted  with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Earthworms,  insects,  and  berries. 

The  mocker  almost  sings  with  his  wings.  He  has  a  pretty  trick 
of  lifting  them  as  his  song  waxes,  a  gesture  that  not  only  serves  to 
show  off  the  white  wing  patches,  but  gives  a  charming  touch  of 
vivacity,  an  airy,  almost  sublimated  fervor  to  his  love-song.  His 
fine  frenzies  often  carry  him  quite  off  his  feet.  From  his  chimney- 
top  perch  he  tosses  himself  up  in  the  air  and  dances  and  pirouettes 
as  he  sings  till  he  drops  back,  it  would  seem,  from  sheer  lack  of 


From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 
Fig.  558.    Eastern  Mockingbird. 

breath.  He  sings  all  day,  and  often  —  if  we  would  believe  his 
audiences  —  he  sings  down  the  chimney  all  night,  and  when  camp- 
ing in  mockerland  in  the  full  of  the  moon  you  can  almost  credit 
the  contention.  A  mocker  in  one  tree  pipes  up  and  that  wakes  his 
brother  mockers  in  other  trees,  and  when  they  have  all  done  their 
parts  every  other  sleepy  little  songster  in  the  neighborhood  — be  he 
sparrow  or  wren  —  rouses  enough  to  give  a  line  of  his  song.  The 
wave  of  song  is  so  delightful  that  even  the  weary  traveler  gladly 
lies  awake  to  listen. 

But  in  broad  daylight  the  mocker's  ebullitions  are  not  always 
pleasing.  In  Texas  the  birds  are  so  common  and  their  mimicry  so 
perfect,  that  it  is  positively  tormenting  to  the  ornithologist.  They 
imitate  everything  from  the  squack  of  the  blue  jay,  the  varied  notes 
of  the  Cassin  kingbird,  the  shrike,  and  the  gnatcatcher,  to  the  shrill 
call  of  the  rock  squirrel.  "Whenever  you  hear  a  new  bird  and  hurry 
through  brush  and  briars  to  see  it,  at  the  end  of  your  heated  search 
there  sits  a  calm  mocker!  As  the  birds  are  omnipresent  and  always 
singing  somebody  else's  song,  they  sadly  interfere  with  the  ornitho- 
logist's serenity  of  spirit. 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  437 


From  Biological  Survey,  IT.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture. 
Fig.  559. 

GENUS    GALEOSCOPTES. 

704.  Galeoscoptes  carolinensis  (Linn.).    CATBIRD. 

Rictal  bristles  well  developed ;  tail  longer  than  wing,  much  rounded ; 
scales  of  tarsus  indistinct.  Adults :  dark  slaty  gray  ;  crown  and  tail 
black  ;  under  tail  coverts  dark  rufous.  Young  :  similar,  but  washed  with 
brownish.  Length :  8.00-9.35,  wing  3.45-3.75,  tail  3.70-4.25,  bill  .6S-.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  Saskatchewan  to  the  Gulf  states  and 
from  the  Atlantic  west  over  the  Rocky  Mountains ;  occasional  on  the 
Pacific  coast.  Winters  in  the  southern  states,  Cuba,  and  from  Mexico  to 
Panama.  Resident  in  Bermuda. 

Nest.  —  Largely  of  rootlets,  placed  in  thickets  and  orchards.  Eggs  :  3 
to  5,  plain,  deep  bluish  green. 

Food.  —  Ants,  beetles,  caterpillars,  grasshoppers,  and  other  insects, 
small  fruits  and  wild  berries. 

In  Colorado  the  catbird  breeds  from  the  plains  to  about  8000  feet, 
quite  commonly  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  but 
rarely  in  the  western  part  of  the  state.  In  Utah  it  plays  its  eastern 
role,  Mr.  Henshaw  says,  living  in  shrubbery  on  the  edges  of  towns 
and  even  coming  familiarly  to  the  gardens. 

GENUS   TOXOSTOMA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  varying  from  shorter  than  head  and  straight 
to  longer  than  head  and  greatly  curved ;  rictal  bristles  well  developed  ; 
feet  large  and  strong ;  tarsus  conspicuously  scaled  in  front ;  wings  and  tail 
rounded,  tail  decidedly  the  longer. 

KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Under  parts  without  dark  markings. 

2.  Upper  parts  pale  brown lecontei,  p.  441. 

2'.  Upper  parts  not  pale  brown. 

3.  Under  tail  coverts  dark  rufous crissale,  p.  442. 

3'.  Under  tail  coverts  buffy  or  tawny. 

4.  Throat  brownish redivivum,  p.  440. 

4'.  Throat  white pasadenense,  p.  441. 


438  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

1'.  Under  parts  with  dark  markings. 
2.  Strikingly  marked  with  blackish. 

3.  Upper  parts  deep  rufous      .     .     .     : rufum,  p.  438. 

3'.  Upper  parts  washed  with  golden  brown     .     .     .  seniietti,  p.  438. 
2'.  Faintly  marked  with  dusky. 

3.  Under  mandible  yellowish  at  base bendirei,  p.  439. 

3'.  Under  mandible  blackish  at  base. 

4.  Wings  barred  and  tail  strikingly  tipped  with  white. 

curvirostre,  p.  439. 

4'.  Wings  plain  or  obsoletely  barred,  and  tail  only  indistinctly  tipped 
with  lighter palmeri,  p.  439. 

Subgenus  Toxostoma. 
Tarsus  longer  than  exposed  culmen. 

705.  Toxostoma  rufum  (Linn.).    BROWN  THRASHER. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  reddish  brown  ;  wings  with  two  white  bars  ;  under 

parts  buffy  white,  spotted  with 
brown.  Young :  spots  on  under 
parts  thicker,  blackish  ;  rump 
golden  brown;  spotting  on  wing 
coverts  fawn  color.  Length  :  10.50- 
12.00,  wing  4.10-4.60,  tail  5.00- 
5.75,  exposed  culmen  .90-1.10. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Can- 
ada to  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  from  the 
Atlantic  to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

Nest .  —  In  thorny  trees,  vines,  or 
bushes,  a  coarse,  bulky  structure  of 
From  Biological  Survey,  U.  8.  Dept.  of  Agriculture,  sticks,    rootlets,  leaves,   and   weed 
Fig.  560.  stems,  lined  with  rootlets  and  horse- 

hair.    Eggs :  3  to  5,  buffy,  or  tinged  with  green,  minutely  spotted  with 
reddish  brown,  this  sometimes  becoming  the  prevailing  color. 

Food.  —  Beetles,  grasshoppers,   caterpillars,  bugs,  and  spiders;   small 
fruits  and  seeds. 

The  eastern  brown  thrasher  is  a  fairly  common  resident  of  the  Colo- 
rado plains,  breeding  as  high  as  7500  feet. 

706.  Toxostoma  longirostre  sennetti  (Eidgw.).    SENNETT 

THRASHER. 

Upper  parts  golden  brown,  with  two  whitish  wing  bars ;  under  parts  white, 

breast  and  sides  with  'black  wedge- 
shaped  or  tear-shaped  marks;  bill 
curved  from  base.  Length :  10.50- 
12.00,  wing  3.80-4.20,  tail  4.80-5.45, 
?'  -  bill  1.05-1.28. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  in  southern  Texas  from 
Corpus  Christi  and  Laredo  south  to  northeastern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  thickets,  made  of  sticks,  vines,   and  sometimes 
straws,  lined  with  rootlets.     Eggs  :  3  or  4,  whitish  to  greenish,  closely 
dotted  with  reddish  brown,  often  most  heavily  around  larger  end. 
Food.  —  Insects  and  larvae,  and  berries. 

The  Sennett  thrasher  occurs  with  curmrostre  in  southern  Texas, 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  439 

but  is  much  less  common,  only  a  few  of  the  brown  birds  being  seen, 
while  the  pale,  clay-colored  curve-bill  ranks  as  one  of  the  commonest 
brush  birds. 

707.  Toxostoma     curvirostre     (Swains.).      CURVE -BELLED 

THKASHER. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  light  brownish  gray  ;  wing's  with  two  narrow  white 
bars ;  tail  blackish,  four  pairs  of  outer  feathers 
strikingly   tipped    with   white ;  throat  white  ; 
breast  and  sides  thickly  spotted  and  clouded 
with  gray  ;   flanks  buffy.     Young :   similar,  FiS-  562- 

but  wing  coverts  and  rump  tinged  with  fulvous,  and  markings  on  breast 
narrower  and  darker.  Length :  10.50-11.40,  whig  4. 15-4.55,  tail  4.40-4.65, 
exposed  culmen  1.10-1.30. 

Distribution.  —  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  New  Mexico  and  western  Texas 
to  Oaxaca,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  cactus  and  trees,  made  of  thorny  twigs  lined  with  a  few 
grasses.  Eggs  :  3  or  4,  colored  like  those  of  palmeri. 

The  curve-billed  thrasher  is  abundant  and  tame  as  you  go  through 
the  thorn  brush  of  southern  Texas,  especially  as  you  approach 
Mexico.  Its  big  clay-colored  figure  is  largely  in  evidence,  perched 
on  the  brush  or  flying  on  short  wings  with  long  tilting  tail  across  the 
road.  Cactus,  yuccas,  and  thorn  brush  are  all  liberally  supplied 
with  its  big  thorny  nests.  When  we  were  photographing  one  the 
owner  came  so  close  that  we  could  see  the  bright  red  of  its  eyes.  As 
the  birds  watched  us  they  gave  their  liquid  two-syllabled  call,  which 
is  one  of  the  loud,  dominant  notes  of  the  country.  .In  a  dry  wash  in 
southern  New  Mexico,  when  we  were  preparing  to  photograph  one 
of  the  yucca  nests,  the  brooding  bird,  who  had  been  entirely  hidden 
by  the  yucca  spears,  quietly  slipped  out  of  the  nest  and  disappeared 
in  the  brush. 

707a.  T.  C.  palmeri  (Coues).    PALMER  THRASHER. 

Upper  parts  uniform  dark  brownish  gray  or  grayish  brown ;  wings  with 
bars  obsolete  or  wanting ;  tail  indistinctly  tipped  with  lighter ;  throat 
whitish ;  rest  of  under  parts 
grayish,  obsoletely  spotted  with 
darker.  Length:  11.00-11.50, 
wing  4.20-4.60,  tail  4.80-5.20, 
exposed  culmen  1.18-1.40.  FiS-  563- 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  in  southern  Arizona 
and  Sonora,  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  cactus,  of  sticks,  usually  lined  with  dried  grass.  Eggs :  2  to 
4,  pale  bluish  green,  finely  and  uniformly  speckled  with  brown. 

The  Palmer  thrasher  is  abundant  on  the  cactus  deserts  of  southern 
Arizona,  being  resident  up  to  3000  feet. 

708.  Toxostoma  bendirei  (Coues).    BENDIRE  THRASHER. 
Upper  parts  pale  grayish  brown  ;  wings  with  indistinct  bars ;  tail  dark 


440  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

brown,  outer  feathers  tipped  with  white  ;  under  parts  brownish  white, 
indistinctly  spotted  with  brown  ;  flanks  brownish.     Young  :  similar,  but 

wings  and   rump  washed   with   tawny 
buff  ;    under   parts   whiter,   with    nar- 
streaks.      Length  :   9.50-10.50, 


Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  desert  regions  of  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran 
zones,  in  Arizona  and  southeastern  California  ;  accidental  in  Colorado. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  bushes,  or  cactus,  small  and  daintily  built  for  a 
thrasher,  of  sticks  and  grass,  lined  with  soft  materials,  such  as  grass, 
horsehair,  rootlets,  wool,  or  feathers.  Eggs  :  3  or  4,  generally  greenish 
white,  spotted  with  pale  reddish  brown,  usually  heaviest  about  the  larger 
end  ;  sometimes  grayish  or  pinkish  white,  spotted  with  salmon  and  lav- 
ender. 

Mr.  Herbert  Brown,  who  has  an  extended  acquaintance  with  the 
Bendire  thrasher,  says  it  is  largely  confined  to  the  central  part  of 
southern  Arizona,  unlike  palmeri  seldom  or  never  leaving  the  flat 
country.  It  is  migratory,  smaller  and  less  common  than  palmeri, 
and  strangely  silent  for  a  thrasher.  Only  once  in  all  his  expe- 
rience has  Mr.  Brown  heard  it  give  its  splendid  song,  and  only 
rarely,  when  disturbed  at  the  nest,  has  he  heard  it  give  its  call  of 
tirup,  tirup,  tirup. 

Subgenus  Harporhynchus. 
Bill  longer  than  head  ;  breast  not  spotted. 

710.  Toxostoma  redivivum  (Gamb.).    CALIFORNIA*  THRASHER. 

Upper  parts  dull  dark  grayish  brown  ;  wings  and  tail  unmarked,  tail  dark- 

er ;  under  parts,  including  throat, 
dull  buffy  or  brownish,  darker  on 
chest  ;  under  tail  coverts  tawny. 
Length:  11.50-13.00.  wing  3.90- 
-  565'  4.30,  tail  4.90-5.80,  bill  1.35-1.75. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  region  of  California  ;  south  to  Lower  California. 
Nest.  —  In  bushes,  a  rude  platform  of  twigs,  roots,  grasses,  and  leaves. 
Eggs  :  3  or  4,  light  greenish  blue,  speckled  with  clove  brown. 

The  California  thrasher  is  one  of  the  most  vociferously  rollicking 
jolly  good  fellows  of  his  tribe.  Perched  on  top  of  the  highest  bush 
in  sight,  he  shouts  out  kick'  -it-now  ,  kick'-it-now,  shut'  -up,  shut'-up, 
dor'-o-thy,  dor'-o-thy;  and  then  with  a  rapid  change  of  mood,  drawls 
out,  whoa  -now,  whoa'  -now.  It  is  easy  to  imagine  such  a  bird  a  wag 
and  mimic,  and  attention  has  recently  been  called  to  his  imitative 
power  by  Mr.  John  J.  Williams.  He  says  that  interwoven  with  its 
own  song  are  the  quare,  quare,  quare  of  the  California  jay,  the 
quirring  note  of  the  slender-billed  nuthatch,  and  the  cackling  note 
of  the  red-shafted  flicker,  besides  the  call  of  the  valley  quail,  the 
kwee-kwee-kuk  of  the  western  robin,  and  the  trill  of  the  wren-tit, 
which  the  mimic  does  so  well  that  the  birds  answer  back. 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  441 

When  he  is  singing,  the  thrasher's  bill  makes  him  look  comically  as 
if  he  were  trying  to  turn  himself  inside  out ;  but  the  bill,  awkward 
as  it  appears,  is  really  an  admirable  pickaxe.  Instead  of  having  to 
depend  on  his  feet  for  scratching  away  the  leaves,  as  the  short- 
billed  birds  do,  the  thrasher  clears  the  ground  by  rapid  strokes  of 
the  bill,  and  then  probes  the  earth  with  it  for  his  food. 

710a.  T.  r.  pasadenense  Grinnell.    PASADENA  THRASHER. 

Similar  to  redivivum,  but  duller  ;  throat  white  ;  chest  band  darker  than  in 
redivivum.  Wing:  3.92,  tail  5.30,  bill  from  nostril  1.21. 

Distribution.  —  Interior  of  southern  California. 

711.  Toxostoma  lecontei  Lawr.    LECONTE  THRASHER. 

Adults.  —  Upper  parts  pale  brownish  gray ;  wings  unmarked ;  tail  dis- 
tinctly tipped  with  lighter;  throat 
white  ;  rest  of  under  parts  dove  color 
and  whitish ;  under  tail  coverts  bright 
tawny  brown.  Young :  similar,  but 
upper  tail  coverts  more  rusty,  and 
under  tail  coverts  paler.  Length :  10.50-11.00,  wing  3.70-3.90,  tail  4.57- 
5.20,  bill  1.08-1.35. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  in  the  desert  region 
from  southwestern  Utah  to  southern  California,  and  south  to  Sonora, 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Very  bulky,  composed  of  thorny  twigs,  grasses,  and  weeds, 
lined  with  grass  and  feathers,  and  placed  in  cactus  bushes  or  mesquite 
trees.  Eggs:  3  or  4,  pale  bluish  green  or  greenish  blue,  minutely  and 
rather  sparsely  speckled  with  reddish  brown,  or  yellowish  brown  and 
lavender. 

In  the  lowest,  hottest,  barest  deserts  of  the  country,  where 
dwarfed  thorn  bushes,  queer  species  of  cactus,  and  rigid  Spanish 
bayonets  space  the  baked  mesas  and  valleys,  the  Leconte  thrasher 
is  one  of  the  most  interesting  bits  of  desert,  life.  The  sand-colored 
bird  seems,  like  all  of  its  surroundings,  to  have  had  the  color  baked 
out  of  it,  or  like  them  to  have  taken  on  the  colors  which  best  fit  it 
to  endure  the  desert  temperature,  sometimes  130°  in  the  shade,  and 
much  higher  in  the  glaring  sun.  After  a  cool  night  on  the  desert 
in  March,  when  the  morning  air  is  loaded  with  the  fragrance  of 
abronias,  yuccas,  and  primroses,  and  the  crimson  and  gold  cups  of 
the  cactus  are  brilliant  among  the  creosote  bushes,  the  thrashers  are 
heard  fairly  splitting  their  throats  from  the  mesquite  tops,  and  seen 
running  about  chasing  each  other  over  the  bare  stretches  between 
thq  bushes.  Later  in  the  day  they  rest  in  the  shade  of  the  chapar- 
ral, and  if  frightened  simply  run  from  one  cover  to  another,  rarely 
flying  to  escape  pursuit.  They  easily  outrun  a  man,  and  if  followed 
soon  disappear,  going  with  head  low  and  tail  straight  out  behind 
like  the  road-runner,  keeping  always  on  the  far  side  of  each  bunch 
of  bushes.  With  a  good  horse  one  can  usually  force  them  to  take 


442  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

wing,  if  they  do  not  get  out  of  sight  before  the  horse  gets  started, 
though  they  have  many  advantages  in  a  country  where  a  horse  is 
liable  to  fall  into  badger  holes  and  kangaroo  rat  dens  or  come  to 
deep  washouts  too  wide  for  a  jump.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

712.  Toxostoma  crissale    Henry.     CRISSAL  THRASHER. 

Adults.  —  Bill  long,  sharply  curved  ;  upper  parts  dark  grayish  brown ; 

wings  without  bars ;  tail  faintly  tipped 
with  rufous ;  throat  and  malar  stripe 
white,  in  contrast  to  dark  fawn  or 
grayish  under  parts ;  under  tail  coverts 
dark  rufous.  Young:  similar,  but 
Fig.  5GT.  more  rusty  above,  especially  on  rump 

and  tips  of  tail  feathers ;  lower  parts 

more  fulvous.  Length  :  11.40-12.60,  wing  3.90-4.10,  tail  4.80-6.40,  exposed 
culmen  1.20-1.50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  southwestern  United  States  from  western 
Texas  to  California,  and  from  Utah  and  Nevada  to  Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  desert  willow,  made  of  coarse  twigs,  lined  with 
strips  of  plant  bark.  Eggs  :  3,  plain  pale  bluish  green. 

The  crissal,  or  red -vented  thrasher,  lives  on  the  rough  sides  of 
rocky  canyons,  where  there  are  junipers  and  low  mesquites.  In 
fall  he  is  said  to  eat  juniper  berries  and  other  small  fruits,  and  then, 
food  being  plentiful,  has  a  distinct  revival  of  his  powerful  song. 
Though  ordinarily  shy,  individuals  come  about  ranches  and  become 
quite  tame.  (See  The  Auk,  iii.  292.) 

GENUS  HELEODYTES. 

General  Characters.  —  Length  about  8 ;  tail  broad,  with  wide  feathers ; 
tarsus  scaled  behind  ;  rictal  bristles  obsolete  or  very  indistinct. 

KEY   TO  ADULTS. 

1.  Belly  lightly  marked  with  linear  spots couesi,  p.  442. 

1'.  Belly  heavily  marked  with  ovate  spots bryanti,  p.  443. 

713.  Heleodytes  brunneicapillus  couesi  (Sharpe).    CACTUS 

WREN. 

Adults.  —  Throat  and  breast  white,  heavily  marked  with  blackish ;  pos- 
terior under  parts  buffy,  lightly 
streaked  with  blackish;  supercili- 
ary white ;  upper  parts  brown, 
feathers  of  back  with  white  mesial 
-  568.  streaks ;  tail  with  middle  feathers 

bro.wnish,  barred  with  black,  the  rest  black  with  white  subterminal  band. 
Young :  similar,  but  streaks  on  back  less  sharply  defined,  spots  on  under 


ROCK  WREN 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  443 

parts  smaller,  and  colors  more  suffused.  Length  :  7-8,  wing  3.18-3.60,  tail 
3-3.40,  exposed  culmen  .80-1. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone,  from  southern  Texas 
west  to  southern  California,  and  from  southwestern  Utah  to  central  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  cactus,  yucca,  or  thorny  bush,  bulky,  flask -shaped,  in  hori- 
zontal position,  entrance  at  mouth  of  flask;  made  of  sticks  and  coarse 
straws,  lined  with  feathers.  Eggs :  4  to  7,  whitish  or  buffy  often  hidden 
by  reddish  brown  spotting. 

The  cactus  wren  seems  on  first  acquaintance,  in  a  cactus  and  mes- 
quite  thicket,  the  most  unwren-like  of  wrens.  Its  big  size,  black- 
ish color,  and  grating,  monotonous  chut,  chut,  chut,  chut,  have  little 
to  suggest  its  small  brown,  sweet- voiced  relatives.  Its  pose,  how- 
ever, is  like  that  of  the  Carolina  wren,  for  it  sings  on  top  of  a 
bare  branch,  with  head  up  and  tail  hanging.  It  is  a  conspicuous 
bird  in  that  strange  land  of  cactus,  mesquite,  and  yucca,  and  fits 
into  its  desert  surroundings  as  well  as  its  odd  nest  does  in  among 
the  yucca  bayonets  or  cactus  thorns.  Its  nests  are  so  common  that 
in  driving  through  the  country  one  comes  to  pass  them  without 
comment,  unless  the  eye  is  caught  by  a  particularly  perfect  retort 
form  for  a  photograph. 

In  New  Mexico,  Mr.  Anthony  found  the  wrens  repairing  their 
nests  in  the  fall,  and  thinks  that  they  roost  in  them  in  winter,  and 
use  them  for  protection  against  storms.  He  believes  that  each  pair 
of  wrens  keep  several  nests  in  order  for  this  purpose. 

713a.  H.  b.  bryanti  Anthony.    BRYANT  CACTUS  WREN. 

Similar  to  couesi,  but  thick  ovate  spotting  extending  over  belly  and 
sides ;  under  parts  tinged  with  buffy,  and  tail  with  three  lateral  feathers 
distinctly  barred  with  white. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  California  south  to  Lower  California. 

GENUS  SALPINCTES. 

715.  Salpinctes  obsoletus  (Say).    ROCK  WREN.1 

Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  slender,  compressed,  decurved  at  tip ;   wing 
longer  than  tail ;  tail  rounded,  feath- 
ers broad  ;  feet  small  and  weak ;  tar- 
sus  longer   than  middle  toe,  scaled 
behind.      Adults:   Upper   parts   dull  ^^ 

grayish  brown,  finely  flecked  with  black  p- 

and  white  dots ;  rump  light  brown  ; 
tail  graduated,  tipped  with  buffy  brown  and  with  subterminal  band  of 
black  ;  middle  tail  feathers  narrowly  barred  with  blackish  ;  under  parts 
dull  whitish,  brownish  on  flanks  ;  chest  usually  finely  speckled.  Young  : 
upper  parts  rusty  gray ;  under  parts  whitish  anteriorly,  brownish  on  flanks 
and  under  tail  coverts.  Length:  5.12-6.35,  wing  2.68-2.80,  tail  2.12-2.40, 
bill  from  nostril  .44-.S4. 

1  Salpinctes  obsoletus  pulverius  Grinnell.    SAN  NICOLAS  ROCK  WREN. 
Like  obsoletus,  but  entire  plumage  suffused  with  ochraceous  or  dust  color. 
Distribution.  —  San  Nicolas  Island,  California.    (The  Auk,  xv.  238.) 


444  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

Remarks.  —  The  pale  grayish  coloration  and  the  black  crescent  on  the 
tail  are  good  field  characters. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia  south  to  Lower  California  and  to 
Chiapas,  Mexico  ;  from  western  Nebraska  to  the  Pacific  ;  breeds  through- 
out its  range  and  is  resident  from  about  the  southern  border  of  the  United 
States  southward. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  clefts  or  crevices  among  rocks,  sometimes  in  hollow 
stumps  or  about  buildings.  Eggs :  7  or  8,  white,  finely  spotted  on  or 
around  larger  end  with  chestnut  brown. 


tes  !  To  the  worker  in  the  arid  regions  of  the  west  this 
name  calls  up  most  grateful  memories.  On  the  wind-blown  rocky 
stretches  where  you  seem  in  a  bleak  world  of  granite  or  lava  with 
only  rock,  rock,  everywhere,  suddenly,  there  on  a  stone  before  you, 
stands  this  jolly  little  wren,  looking  up  at  you  with  a  bob  and  a  shy, 
friendly  glance.  The  encounter  is  as  cheering  as  the  sight  of  a  bird 
at  sea,  and  before  such  meetings  have  been  repeated  many  times,  you 
love  the  little  wren  as  you  do  the  barking  conies  that  give  life  and  a 
touch  of  companionship  to  the  barren  rock  slides  of  the  mountains. 

Even  his  song,  which  at  first  hearing  seems  the  drollest,  most  un- 
bird-like  of  machine-made  tinklings,  comes  to  be  greeted  as  the 
voice  of  a  friend  on  the  desert,  and  its  quality  to  seem  in  harmony 
with  the  hard,  gritty  granites  among  which  he  lives.  Its  phrases  are 
varied,  but  one  of  its  commonest  —  given  perhaps  from  the  top  of  a 
cliff  while  his  mate  is  feeding  their  brood  on  a  ledge  below  — is  little 
more  than  a  harsh  kra-wee,  kra-wee,  kra-wee,  kra-wee,  given  slowly 
at  first,  then  after  a  little  bob  repeated  in  faster  time. 

As  you  watch  him  he  seems  well  fitted  to  escape  his  enemies  who 
soar  over  the  mountains,  for  he  is  a  perfect  rock  color,  and  his  only 
striking  mark  is  the  black  fan-shaped  band  that  flashes  from  his  tail 
as  he  disappears  from  view. 

Altitude  seems  to  make  little  difference  with  him,  but  when  not  in 
mountains  he  is  usually  found  in  regions  of  rocks,  cliffs,  or  canyons. 
Dr.  Mearns  reported  him  from  the  summit  of  San  Francisco  Moun- 
tain, Arizona,  at  a  time  when  the  hollows  were  filled  with  ice  and 
snow  and  fierce  storms  were  raging. 

GENUS    CATHERPES. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  longer  than  tarsus; 
side  toes  of  unequal  lengths  ;  wing  longer  than  tail. 

KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Darker  colored.     Lower  Rio  Grande albifrons,  p.  445. 

1'.  Lighter  colored. 

2.  Larger,  bill  longer,  spotting  on  back  not  so  thick.     Great  Basin  and 

Rocky  Mountain  region conspersus,  p.  445. 

2'.  Smaller,  bill  shorter,  spotting  on  back  thicker.     Oregon  and  Cali- 
fornia west  of  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nevada  .  punctulatus,  p.  445. 


CANYON  WREN 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  445 

717.  Catherpes  mexicanus  albifrons  (Giraud).  WHITE- 
THROATED  WHEN. 

Like  conspersus,  but  larger  and  darker  ;  upper  parts  from  dark  rusty  to 
sepia ;  wing's  barred  with  rusty.  Length :  6.00-6.50,  wing  2.40-2.90,  tail 
2.30-2.45,  exposed  culnien  .70-.95. 

Distribution. — Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley,  Texas,  and  northeastern  Mexico. 

717a.  C.  m.  conspersus  Eidgw.    CANYON  WREN. 

Adults.  —  Brown  except  for  white  throat  and  breast ;  upper  parts  light 
brown,  grayish  on  head,  speckled  with 
white  and  blackish ;  tail  rusty  brown, 
crossed  by  narrow  black  bars ;  belly  dark 
rusty  brown.  Young  :  essentially  like 
adults,  but  usually  without  white  specks  FiS-  570. 

on  upper  parts  or  posterior  under  parts,  which  are.  instead,  mottled,  more 
or  less,  with  dusky.  Length :  5.50-5.75,  wing  2^20-2.40,  tail  2.00-2.40, 
exposed  culmen  .70-.85. 

Distribution.  —  Great  Basin  and  Rocky  Mountain  region  from  the  Sierra 
Nevada  and  Cascades  east  to  Colorado,  and  from  Idaho  south  to ,  Aguas 
Calientes,  Mexico ;  breeds  nearly  throughout  its  range  and  is  resident  in 
the  southern  parts  of  its  United  States  distribution. 

Nest.  —  In  crevices  of  rocks,  on  ledge  in  tunnel  or  cave,  or  about  build- 
ings, made  with  thick  soft  walls  covered  with  green  moss.  Eggs  :  3  to  5, 
white,  spotted  chiefly  on  larger  end  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac  gray. 

Sometimes,  as  at  Austin,  Texas,  canyon  wrens  will  stray  into  cities 
and  sing  from  the  chimney  tops  with  the  mockingbirds,  and  when 
they  do,  what  cool,  grateful  canyon  memories  they  awaken  in  the 
midst  of  the  town  !  When  heard  afterwards  on  their  own  native 
canyon  cliffs  it  seems  impossible  that  they  could  ever  sing  in  a  city, 
their  song  is  so  attuned  to  the  wild  mountain  fastnesses. 

The  bit  of  a  wren  may  be  on  a  ledge  so  high  above  your  head  that 
you  pick  him  out  among  the  rocks  only  by  the  round  white  spot 
which  is  his  throat  and  which  shows  as  his  head  is  thrown  back  to 
sing,  but  yet  his  voice  is  so  powerful  that  the  canyon  fairly  rings 
with  his  song.  What  joyous  notes  !  They  sound  as  if  his  happi- 
ness were  so  great  that  he  needs  must  proclaim  it.  His  song  comes 
tripping  down  the  scale  growing  so  fast  it  seems  as  if  the  song- 
ster could  only  stop  by  giving  his  odd  little  flourish  back  up  the 
scale  again  at  the  end.  The  ordinary  song  has  seven  descending 
notes,  but  often,  as  if  out  of  pure  exuberance  of  happiness,  the  wren 
begins  with  a  run  of  grace  notes,  ending  with  the  same  little  flourish. 
The  rare  character  of  the  song  is  its  rhapsody  and  the  rich  vibrant 
quality  which  has  suggested  the  name  of  bugler  for  him,  —  and  a 
glorious  little  bugler  he  surely  is. 
7 1 7b.  C.  m.  punctulatus  Eidgw.  DOTTED  CANYON  WREN. 

Similar  to  conspersus,  but  smaller  and  bill  shorter,  and  more  thickly 
spotted  on  back. 

Distribution.  —  Oregon  and  California  west  of  the  Cascades  and  Sierra 
Nevada  to  Lower  California;  resident  from  southern  California  southward. 


446  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

GENUS    THRYOTHORUS. 

718.  Thryothorus  ludovicianus  (Lath.).    CAROLINA  WKEN. 
Wing  less  than  3  ;  tail  not  longer  than  wings,  like  back  in  color.  Adults. — 
Upper  parts  rusty  brown  ;  crown  bordered  by  an  indistinct 
blackish  line  and  buff  y  white  superciliary ;   broad  rusty 
stripe  back  of  eye ;  wings  indistinctly  barred  with  rusty 
and  spotted  with  white  ;  under  parts  varying  from  white 
on  throat  to  tawny  buff  below.     Young  :  crown  blackish  ; 
under  parts   more  cinnamon  brown,  with  indistinct  cross 
lines.     Length:  5.25-6.00,  wing  2.18-2.50,  tail  1.80-2.35, 
exposed  culmen  .60— .70. 

Distribution.  —  Upper  and  Lower  Sonoran  zones  from  the  Atlantic  to  the 
Plains  and  western  Texas,  and  reported  by  Capt.  Thorne  from  Montana ; 
from  southern  Michigan  south  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico;  resident  nearly 
throughout  its  range. 

Nest.  —  Usually  in  woods,  in  holes  in  logs  and  rocks ;  made  of  twigs, 
grasses,  and  leaves,  lined  with  feathers.     Eggs :  3  to  6,  white,  pinkish,  or 
creamy,  thickly  speckled  on  or  around  larger  end  with  reddish  brown. 
Food.  —  Insects. 

GENUS    THRYOMANES.i 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  less  than  3  ;  tail  longer  than  wings,  black- 
ish, outer  feathers  tipped  with  white  or  gray  ;  white  superciliary  stripe 
conspicuous. 

KEY   TO  THRYOMANES. 

1.  Large,  wing  averaging  2.25. 

2.  Upper  parts  reddish  brown.     Texas cryptus,  p.  447. 

2'.  Upper  parts  grayish  brown.     Texas  to  California. 

leucogaster,  p.  447. 
1'.  Smaller,  wing  averaging  2.00-2.07. 

2.  Bill  averaging  .50,  upper  parts  dark  sooty  brown.     California. 

spilurus,  p.  446. 
2'.  Bill  averaging  .54-:56. 

3.  Upper  parts  dark,  rich  brown.     Northwest  coast  region. 

calophonus,  p.  447. 
3'.  Upper  parts  grayish  brown. 

4.  Under   tail    coverts  heavily  barred  with  black.     Southern  and 

Lower  California charienturus,  p.  447. 

4'.  Colors  paler,  under  tail  coverts  less  heavily  barred  with  black. 
San  Clemente  Island leucophrys,  p.  448. 

719a.  Thryomanes  bewickii  spilurus  (Vig.).    VIGORS  WREN. 

Upper  parts  dark  brown,  with  a  conspicuous  white  superciliary ;  tail  with 
middle  feathers  grayish  brown,  barred,  only  sightly  contrasting  with  color 
of  back,  outside  feathers  blackish,  spotted  and  barred  ;  under  parts  gray, 
sides  and  flanks  tinged  with  brown.  Length :  wing  2,  tail  1.96,  exposed 
culmen  .50. 

Distribution.  —  California  west  of  Sierra  Nevada  and  south  to  Santa 
Cruz  Island. 

Nest.  —  Usually  around  buildings  except  in  unsettled  districts ;  bulky, 
made  largely  of  sticks  and  lined  with  feathers.  Eggs:  usually  5  to  7, 

1  See  Oberholser's  "  Revision  of  the  Wrens  of  the  Genus  Thryomanes."  Proc.  U.  S. 
Nat,  Mm.  xxi.  421-450.  1898. 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  447 

white  or  pinkish,  finely  speckled  or  sprinkled  on  or  around  larger  end  with 
reddish  brown  and  lilac. 

The  bewickii  group  are  strongly  marked 
wrens  with  their  striking  superciliary,  light 
spotty  cornered  tails,  and  melodious  songs. 
The  song  of  the  Vigors  wren,  when  heard 
in  southern  California  with  the  Parkman, 
though  not  so  ebullient,  is  richer,  sweeter, 
more  musical,  and  altogether  of  decidedly 
superior  quality. 

Where  there  are  houses,  Thryomanes  nests 
like  the  house  wrens  in  odd  nooks  and  cor- 
ners about  buildings,  but  otherwise  on 
brushy  hillsides  and  in  such  congenial 
places.  One  Texan  Bewick  was  found  by 
Mr.  Bailey  nesting  in  a  tin  can  turned  over  Fis-  5?2-  vigors  Wren. 
a  fence  post,  the  entrance  being  through  an  enlarged  bullet  hole. 

719b.  T.  b.  leucogaster  (Baird).    BAIRD  WREN. 

Upper  parts  pale  grayish  brown,  tinged  with  rufous  on  rump  ;  middle  tail 
feathers  brown,  barred  with  black,  rest  of  feathers  mainly  black,  the  three 
outer  pairs  with  grayish  white  tips ;  superciliary  white ;  under  parts 
whitish,  purer  on  throat ;  under  tail  coverts  heavily  barred  with  black. 
Wing :  2.20,  tail  2.23,  bill  .55. 

Distribution.  —  Western  Texas  to  southeastern  California,  and  from 
southern  Nevada,  Utah,  and  Colorado  south  over  tablelands  of  Mexico  to 
Zacatecas. 

719C.  T.  b.  cryptus  Oberh.    TEXAS  BEWICK  WREN. 

Superciliary  white  ;  upper  parts  rich  warm  brown,  more  rufous  on  rump  ; 
tail  with  middle  feathers  and  bases  of  outer  webs  of  all  but  outside  pair 
hair  brown,  barred  with  black ;  rest  of  tail  black,  faintly  barred  with 
lighter ;  two  outer  pairs  of  feathers  tipped  with  grayish  white ;  under 
parts  grayish.  Wing :  2.25,  tail  2.24,  exposed  culmen  .55. 

Distribution.  —  Texas,  except  extreme  western  corner  ;  Nuevo  Leon  and 
Tamaulipas,  Mexico,  and  probably  Kansas,  Indian  Territory,  and  Okla- 
homa ;  migratory  north  of  Texas. 

719d.  T.  b.  charienturus  Oberh.    SOUTHWEST  BEWICK  WREN. 

Superciliary  white  ;  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  slightly  rufous  on  rump  ; 
tail  black  except  for  middle  feathers  which  are  hair  brown,  barred  with 
black,  outside  feathers  tipped  with  gray,  outer  webs  barred  with  dingy 
white,  rest  of  feathers  tipped  with  brown  ;  under  parts  white  or  grayish  ; 
crissum  heavily  barred  with  black.  Wing :  2.03,  tail  2.02,  exposed  cul- 
men .54. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  from  Pasadena  along  the  coast  region  of  Cali- 
fornia to  Lower  California  ;  Santa  Catalina  Island. 

719e.  T.  b.  calophonus  Oberh.    NORTHWEST  BEWICK  WREN. 

Superciliary  white  ;  upper  parts  rich  dark  brown,  slightly  deeper  on 
head ;  taif  black,  middle  feathers  sepia  brown  barred  with  black,  the  rest 


448  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

tipped  with  gray  and  barred  with  brown,  outer  pair  barred  toward  end 
with  whitish  ;  under  parts  grayish  white,  lightest  on  throat,  tinged  with 
brown  on  sides  and  flanks ;  under  tail  coverts  barred  with  black.  Wing  : 
2.07,  tail  2.03,  exposed  culmen  .56. 

Remarks.  —  Calophonus  is  most  nearly  allied  to  spilurus,  but  has  a  con- 
spicuously larger  bill  and  averages  larger  and  darker. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  slope  from  Oregon  north  to  southern  Vancouver 
Island  and  the  Fraser  River  valley.  Resident  probably  throughout  its 
range,  at  least  from  Puget  Sound  southward. 

719.1.  Thryomanes  leucophrys  (Anthony).  SAN  CLEMENTE 
WHEN. 

Similar  to  charienturus,  but  paler,  grayer  above  and  on  flanks  ;  under  tail 
coverts  less  heavily  barred  ;  bill  longer.  Wing :  2.07,  tail  2 ;  bill  .56. 

Distribution.  —  San  Clemente  Island,  California. 

GENUS   TROGLYODYTES. 

General  Characters.  —  Wing  less  than  3,  about  length  of  tail ;  stretched 
feet  not  reaching  beyond  end  of  tail ;  inner  toe  united  at  base  to  middle 
toe. 

KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Upper  parts  brown.  Pacific  coast  region  .  .  .  parkmanii.  p.  448. 
1'.  Upper  parts  grayish  brown.  Western  states  except  coast  region. 

aztecus,  p.  449. 

72 la.    Troglodytes  aedon  parkmanii    (And.).     PARKMAN 

WREN  :  PACIFIC  HOUSE  WREN. 

Upper  parts  dull  brown,  all  but  head  barred  with  blackish  ;  tail  coverts 
barred  with  black  and  whitish;  under  parts 
dingy,  lightly  barred.  Length :  4.25-5.25,  wing 
2.02,  tail  1.85,  exposed  culmen  .49. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  region  from 
British  Columbia  south  to  California. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  in  trees  or  about  buildings, 
made  largely  of  twigs,  lined  with  feathers. 
Eggs :  5  to  7,  pinkish  white,  thickly  spotted 
with  reddish  brown  or  brownish  purple. 

The  house  wrens  are  just  ordinary  birds, 
with  no  striking  marks  and  nothing  musi- 
cal or  brilliant  about  their  songs,  but  they 

are  such  persistently  jolly  little  songsters  that  their  charm  is  quite 
irresistible.  Wherever  you  meet  them  they  are  always  singing,  be 
it  about  house  or  barn,  deserted  cabin,  or  old  sycamore.  Ebullient 
is  the  only  word  that  expresses  them.  Their  notes  fairly  tumble 
over  each  other,  they  are  poured  out  so  fast.  At  times  the  little 
musicians  become  ecstatic,  and  raise  their  quivering  wings  till  they 
almost  meet  over  the  back.  Besides  their  song  the  wrens  have  an 
anxious  scolding  chatter,  and  the  mother  bird  a  quieting  krup-up- 
up  which  she  uses  to  soothe  her  brood. 
Raising  a  brood  is  a  protracted  process  with  the  wrens.  With  one 


WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.  449 

family  that  I  watched  in  southern  California  it  was  six  weeks  from 
the  time  they  began  building  before  the  young  left  the  nest. 

72 lb.  T.  a.  aztecus  Baird.    AZTEC  WREN. 

Like  parkmanii,  but  grayish  brown. 

Distribution.  —  Western  United  States  except  the  Pacific  coast,  east  to 
the  Mississippi  Valley  ;  south  to  southern  Mexico. 

Aztecus  is  the  same  jolly  little  songster  as  parkmanii,  clambering 
over  your  tent  and  balancing  the  twigs  he  carries  to  his  nest,  saying 
and  doing  the  same  things  at  9000  feet  in  the  coniferous  forest  of  the 
mountains  of  New  Mexico  as  theParkman  at  sea-level  in  the  hot  val- 
leys of  southern  California. 

GENUS   OLBIOKCHILTJS. 

722a.  Olbiorchilus  hiemalis  pacificus  (Baird).     WESTERN 
WINTER  WREN. 

Tail  less  than  three  fourths  as  long1  as  wing1 ;  outstretched  feet  reaching 
far  beyond  its  end.  Upper  parts  dark  brown,  brighter  on  rump  and  upper 
tail  coverts  ;  wings,  tail,  and  often  back  and  rump 
narrowly  barred  with  blackish ;  superciliary  stripe, 
throat, and  breast,  tawny ;  belly  and  under  tail  coverts 
barred;  flanks  darker.  Length:  3.60-4.25,  wing- 1.80- 
1.90,  tail  1.20-1.85,  exposed  culmen  .40-.45. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  on  Pacific  coast  from  Sitka  south  to  Monterey 
County,  California,  and  east  to  Idaho ;  ranges  to  western  Mexico  in  winter. 

Nest.  —  In  coniferous  woods  in  crevices  of  dead  logs  or  stumps,  made  of 
moss  and  lined  with  feathers.  Eggs :  5  to  7,  white  or  creamy,  finely  but 
sparingly  spotted  with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Largely  worms  and  small  white  grubs  found  in  the  bark  of  trees. 

While  the  voluble  house  wrens  are  always  coming  to  the  front 
singing  with  heads  up  and  tails  hanging,  loudly  publishing  all 
their  affairs,  the  quiet  little  winter  wrens,  with  heads  peering  down 
and  stubby  tails  cocked  over  their  backs,  are  silently  creeping  over 
the  logs  and  investigating  all  the  darkest  cracks  and  crannies  of  the 
fallen  timber.  In  the  redwood  forests  Mr.  Bailey  has  found  them 
bobbing  out  from  under  old  logs,  diving  into  hollow  stumps  or  brush 
heaps,  their  somber  color  blending  with  the  brown  leaves,  brown 
bark,  and  brown  wood.  In  the  deeper  shade  of  the  darker  nooks  and 
hollows  they  disappear  entirely,  droll  Lilliputians  making  their  homes 
among  the  giant  redwoods. 

GENUS    CISTOTHOBUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Back  streaked  with  black  and  white ;  tail  gradu- 
ated for  about  half  its  length. 

KEY   TO   ADULTS. 

1.  Bill  as  long  as  head. 

2.  Bars  on  tail  coverts  indistinct  or  wanting.    East  of  Rocky  Mountains. 

palustris,  p.  450. 
2'.  Bars  on  tail  coverts  distinct. 


450  WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

3.  Paler.     East  of  Pacific  coast  region  to  Rocky  Mountains. 

plesius,  p.  451. 

3'.  Darker.     Pacific  coast  region paludicola,  p.  450. 

1'.  Bill  much  shorter  than  head stellaris.  p.  450. 

Subgenus  Cistothorus. 

724.  Cistothorus  stellaris  (Licht.).  SHORT-BILLED  MARSH  WREN. 
Bill  much  shorter  than  head  ;  plumage  brown ;  top  of  head  as  well  as  back 

streaked  with  black  and  white ;  upper  tail  coverts  barred ;  under  parts 
buffy  or  brownish,  whiter  on  throat  and  belly.  Length :  3.75-4.50,  wing 
1.72-1.90,  tail  1.58-1.70,  bill  from  nostril  .24-.2S. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  Lake  Winnipeg  (Norway  House)  southeast 
to  Georgia ;  in  the  United  States  west  to  the  Plains ;  casually  to  Utah ; 
winters  in  the  south  Atlantic  and  Gulf  states. 

Nest.  —  In  tussock  of  reeds  or  coarse  grass,  the  tops  of  which  are  woven 
into  a  spherical  nest  with  entrance  on  one  side,  lined  with  finer  grasses 
and  sometimes  vegetable  down.  Eggs  :  6  to  8,  pure  white,  unmarked. 

At  Provo,  Utah,  Mr.  Henshaw  found  that  the  short-billed  marsh 
wren  bred  in  the  marshes. 

Subgenus  Telmatodytes. 

725.  Cistothorus  palustris  (Wils.).   LONG-BILLED  MARSH  WREN. 
Adults.  —  Like  paludicola,  but  brown  of  upper  parts  averaging   more 

rusty,  bars  on  middle  tail  feathers  usually  more  indistinct  or  incomplete, 
and  bars  on  tail  coverts  usually  indistinct  or  wanting.  Length :  4.25-5.50, 
wing  1.80-2.12,  tail  1.60-1.90,  bill  .55-.61.  Young:  top  of  head,  nape,  and 
back  dull  black  without  white  spots  or  streaks. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from 
Manitoba  and  Ontario  south  in  the  eastern  United  States ;  west  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains  ;  winters  locally  from  southern  New  England  to  the  Gulf 
states  and  eastern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Globular,  with  entrance  on  one  side,  attached  to  upright  reeds  in 
marshes.  Eggs  :  5  to  9,  chocolate,  sometimes  nearly  uniform,  but  usually 
sprinkled  with  a  deeper  shade. 

72  5 a.  C.  p.  paludicola  Baird.    TULE  WREN. 

Top  of  head  and  triangular  patch  on  middle  of  back  black  ;  middle  of 
crown  washed  with  brown  ;  back  patch  streaked  with  white  ;  rest  of  back 
light  brown  ;  middle  tail  feathers  and  tail  coverts  generally  distinctly  and  con- 
tinuously barred  with  black  ;  under  parts  soiled  whitish,  flanks  brownish. 
Length  ':  4.50-5.75,  wing  1.95-2.22,  tail  1.80-2.05,  bill  .4S-.55. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Pacific  coast  region  from  British  Columbia  to 
California ;  south  in  winter  to  extreme  northwestern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  A  large  globular  structure  fastened  to  tule  stalks,  and  woven 
of  wet  tule  stems,  with  wet  grass  and  algae  matted  in,  and  with  a  lining  of 
dry  algae  and  tule  pith.  Eggs  (I  set)  :  5,  lavender  brown,  clouded  or  mot- 
tled. 

Food.  —  Insects. 

The  wrens  of  the  marshes  are  as  full  of  song  as  the  house  wrens, 
and  as  they  live  in  colonies  where  they  all  sing  at  once  their 
swamps  are  as  noisy  as  a  pond  full  of  frogs,  but  their  voices  are 


By  courtesy  of  The  Osprey.     Drawn  by  Louis  Agassiz  Fuertes 
LONG-BILLED  MARSH  WREN 


CREEPERS  451 

most  unfrog-like,  having  the  tinkling  machine-made  quality  of  a 
music-box. 

Like  the  house  wrens  they  sing  all  over,  and  sometimes  as  they 
cling  to  a  tule  stem  bend  almost  double,  comically  swaying  from  side 
to  side. 

Their  big  globular  nests  make  conspicuous  objects  hung  on  the 
tule  stems,  and  a  walk  among  them  with  the  birds  singing  at  you  as 
well  as  around  you  is  an  experience  quite  to  a  bird-lover's  heart. 

While  the  tule  swamps  are  their  breeding  grounds,  in  fall  and  win- 
ter they  are  found  in  weed  patches  and  rank  grass. 

725c.  C.  p.  plesius  Oberh.    INTERIOR  TULE  WREN. 

Like  palustris,  but  upper  parts  paler,  under  parts  grayer,  middle  tail 
feathers  heavily  barred,  and  upper  and  lower  tail  coverts  barred  ;  paler  and 
more  sharply  barred  than paludicola.  Wing:  2.06,  tail  1.82,  bill  .50. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia  and  Alberta  east  of  the  Pacific 
coast  district  south  to  Mexico ;  east  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  Texas ; 
breeds  nearly  throughout  its  range  and  winters  from  Oregon  southward. 

FAMILY   CERTHIIDJE:    CREEPERS. 

GENUS    CERTHIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  slender,  sharp,  and 
decurved ;  tail  rounded,  equal  to  or  longer  than 
wing,   of  rigid,   sharp-pointed   feathers ;    tarsus 
Fig.  575.    scaled  ;  claws  greatly  curved,  and  sharp.  FiK-  576. 

KEY   TO   CERTHIA. 

1.  Upper  parts  grayish.  Rocky  Mountains  .  .  .  *  .  montana,  p.  451. 
1'.  Upper  parts  brownish  or  dusky. 

2.  Upper  parts  rusty  brown.     Pacific  coast  from  California  to  Sitka. 

occidentalis,  p.  452. 
2'.  Upper  parts  not  rusty  brown. 

3.  Upper  parts  dark  brown.     Arizona  and  southward. 

albescens,  p.  451. 
3'.  Upper  parts  dusky  anteriorly.     Sierra  Nevada  and  Cascades. 

zelotes,  p.  452. 

726a.  Certhia  familiaris  albescens  (Berlepsch).  MEXICAN 
CREEPER. 

Upper  parts  dark  brown,  becoming  deep  rusty  on  rump ;  under  parts 
brownish  gray,  white  only  on  throat ;  flanks  dark  rusty.  Length :  4.80- 
5.60,  wing  2.55-2.60,  tail  2.65,  bill  .70-.73. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  Arizona  south  through  Sierra  Madre  of 
northwestern  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Behind  loosened  bark  or  in  similar  openings,  about  stumps  or 
dead  tree  trunks,  made  of  felted  materials  and  feathers.  Eggs :  5  to  9, 
white,  spotted  chiefly  on  or  around  larger  end  with  reddish  brown. 

Food.  —  Insects,  and  their  eggs  and  larvae. 

726b.  C.  f.  montana  Ridgw.    ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  CREEPER. 

Upper  parts  grayish,  head  and  back  streaked  conspicuously  with  white ; 
rump  tawny.  Wing  :  2.50,  tail  2.71,  bill  .75. 

Distribution.  — Rocky  Mountains  from  New  Mexico  north  to  Alaska. 


452  NUTHATCHES   AND  TITS 

In  the  stillness  of  the  high  mountain  forests  your  ear  sometimes 
catches  the  thin,  finely  drawn  pipe  of  the  brown  creeper,  and  if  you 
watch  patiently  on  the  dark-shaded  boles  of  the  lofty  trees  you 
may  discover  the  little  dark-colored  creature  —  seeming  small  and 
weak  in  the  great  solemn  fir  forest  —  creeping  up  the  trunks,  exam- 
ining the  cracks  with  microscopic  care  as  he  goes.  If  he  feels  that 
his  work  has  not  been  done  thoroughly  enough,  he  drops  back  and 
does  it  over  again  ;  and  when  one  tree  has  been  gone  over  to  his 
satisfaction,  he  often  flies  obliquely  down  to  the  bottom  of  another 
trunk  and  creeps  patiently  up  that.  On  Mount  Shasta,  where  the 
firs  are  decorated  with  yellow  moss,  the  Sierra  creeper  goes  around 
its  pads  when  he  comes  to  them,  but  works  carefully  over  the 
dark  lichen-covered  branches.  Sometimes  he  lights  upside  down 
on  the  under  side  of  a  branch,  and  clings  like  a  fly,  but  with  the 
aid  of  his  pointed  tail  well  pressed  against  the  bark.  In  New  Mex- 
ico, Mr.  Batchelder  has  found  the  creepers  eating  more  seeds  than 
insects. 

726c.  C.  f.  Occident  alls  Eidgw.    CALIFORNIA  CREEPER. 

Upper  parts  rusty  brown,  brightest  on  rump ;  superciliary  and  streaks 
on  head  and  back  often  tawny.  Wing  :  2.47.  tail 
2.45,  bill  .72. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific    coast   from    Sitka    to 
Fig.  577.  Marin  County,  California. 

Nest.  —  Behind  bark  of  redwood  or  cedar,  3  to 

5  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  soft  shredded  bark,  lined  with  feathers, 
cocoons,  and  silk. 

726d.  C.  f.  zelotes  Osgood.    SIERRA  CREEPER. 

Upper  parts  dusky  anteriorly,  becoming  bright  rusty  on  rump  ;  super- 
ciliary, streaks  on  scapulars,  and  spots  on  primaries  white ;  throat  and 
breast  pure  white,  sides  and  flanks  tinged  with  brownish. 

Remarks.  —  The  Sierra  creeper  is  intermediate  between  the  California 
and  Rocky  Mountain  creepers. 

Distribution.  —  Cascade  Mountains  of  Oregon  and  Sierra  Nevada. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Barlow,  under  the  bark  of  a  dead  pine,  about 
20  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  cedar  bark,  mixed  with  a  few  feathers. 
Eggs :  5,  white,  spotted  with  flakes  and  confluent  blotches  of  reddish 
brown,  with  shell  markings  of  lavender. 

FAMILY   PARID^J :    NUTHATCHES  AND  TITS. 

KEY  TO  GENERA. 

1.  Tail  much  shorter  than  wing Sitta,  p.  453. 

1'.  Tail  equal  to  or  longer  than  wing. 

2.  Tail  graduated  for  about  half  its  length      .     .     .    Chamaea,  p.  459. 
2'.  Tail  graduated  for  much  less  than  half  its  length. 

3.  Plumage  compact Auriparus,  p.  462. 

3'.  Plumage  loose. 

4.  Length  4.00-4.50 Psaltriparus,  p.  460. 

4'.  Length  4.50-6.00 Parus,  p.  455. 


NUTHATCHES  AND  TITS  453 

GENUS  SITTA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  about  as  long  as  head,  compressed,  slender, 
acute,  tip  inclined  upward  ;  nostrils  concealed  by  bristly  tufts  ;  tongue 
horny,  barbed  ;  wings  much  longer  than  short,  even  tail ;  tarsus  shorter 
than  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  toes  all  long,  with  long  curved  claws ;  plumage 
compact. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Side  of  head  striped  black  and  white     ....   canadensis,  p.  454. 
I'.Side  of  head  not  striped. 

2.  Top  of  head  grayish pygmaea,  p.  454. 

2'.  Top  of  head  black. 

3.  Longest  tertial  with  black  patch  pointed  at  tip. 

aculeata,  p.  453. 

Fig.  578. 

3'.  Longest  tertial  with  black  oblong  rounded  at  tip. 
carolinensis,  p.  453. 

Fig.  579. 

727.  Sitta  carolinensis  Lath.  WHITE-BREASTED  NuTHATCH.1 
Similar  to  S.  c.  aculeata,  but  tertials  light  bluish  gray,  with  sharply  de- 
fined oblong  black  patches,  patch  on  outer  web  of 
longest  feather  rounded  at  tip  ;  white  of  side  of  head 
mixed  with  gray.  Length:  5.25-6.15,  wing  3.50-3.75, 
tail  1.95-2.20,  bill  from  extreme  base  .SO-.90. 

Distribution.  —  Resident   from   southern   Canadian 
provinces  south  through  the  eastern  United  States  to 
Georgia  and  west  to  the  Rocky  Mountains  ;  casually  north  to  Hudson  Bay. 
Nest.  —  In  holes  of  trees  or  stumps,  made  of  soft  felted  materials  and 
feathers.     Eggs :  5  to  8,  white,  spotted  with  reddish  brown. 
Food.  —  Insects,  their  eggs  and  larvae,  and  nuts. 

727a.  S.  c.  aculeata  (Cass.).    SLENDER-BILLED  NUTHATCH. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  glossy  blue  black  in  sharp 
contrast  to  clear  white  of  sides  of  head  and  under  parts ;  back  bluish 
gray ;  wings  and  tail  marked  with  black  and  white,  tertials  dark  or  dull 
bluish  gray,  with  black  patch  along  shaft  of  longest  feather  pointed  at  tip. 
Adult  female  :  top  of  head  grayish.  Length  :  5.00-6.10,  wing  3.35-3.75, 
tail  1.90-2.20,  bill  .80-.95,  greatest  depth  of  bill  .13. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  of  western 
North  America,  east  to  the  Plains  and  south  to  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  oaks,  in  natural  cavities  or  old  woodpecker  holes,  lined  with 
grass,  moss,  fur,  hair,  and  feathers.  Eggs :  5  to  7,  creamy  white,  lightly 
dotted  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac,  usually  chiefly  around  larger  end. 

As  you  ride  through  the  forest  in  the  Transition  and  Canadian 
zones  of  the  western  mountains,  the  unmistakable  yang,  yang,  Jienk'- 
ah,  henk'-ah,  are  frequently  heard,  together  with  the  notes  of  king- 
lets, mountain  chickadees,  and  Audubon  warblers,  for  the  birds  are 

1  Sitta  carolinensis  nelsoni  Mearns.    ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  NUTHATCH. 

Dark  and  large  ;  bill  large,  maxilla  convex  rather  than  straight.  Length :  5.95,  wing 
3.70,  tail  2.17. 

Distribution.  —  Wooded  mountains  of  northern  Chihuahua  and  Sonora,  Arizona,  Ne- 
vada, Colorado,  and  northward.  (Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  xxiv.  923.) 


454  NUTHATCHES   AND   TITS 

sociable  little  creatures,  and  their  flocks  often  join  the  ranks  of  other 
small  foresters.  If  you  catch  sight  of  a  nuthatch  on  the  side  of  a 
tree  trunk  and  he  turns  his  head  to  look  at  you,  you  are  struck  by 
his  white  neck  patch.  It  can  be  seen  from  a  distance,  and  becomes 
a  striking  directive  mark  in  the  dark  forest,  being  conspicuous  when 
the  outlines  of  the  bird's  body  are  almost  indistinguishable.  In  the 
Sierra  Nevada,  when  passing  the  birds  on  horseback,  I  have  lost 
sight  of  one  I  was  watching  till  it  turned  its  head,  and  then  a  spot 
of  white  stood  out  against  the  dark  bole  of  a  tree,  placing  it  in- 
stantly. 

Like  the  brown  creepers  the  blue-gray  nuthatches  are  tree-trunk 
birds,  but  they  do  not  hunt  as  systematically  as  the  creepers,  and  are 
as  likely  to  be  found  hanging  head  down  as  up,  while  they  walk 
along  under  a  branch  as  calmly  as  flies  on  a  ceiling,  though  they 
have  no  stiff  pointed  tails  to  aid  them. 

728.  Sitta  canadensis  Linn.     RED-BREASTED  NUTHATCH. 

Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head  glossy  black,  side  of  head  with  white  super- 
ciliary and  black  eye  stripe;  under  parts  reddish  brown;  back  bluish  gray  ; 
wings  plain ;  tail  with  white  patches  on  outer  feathers. 
Adult  female  :  black  of  head  replaced  by  bluish  gray  ;  under 
parts  lighter  reddish  brown.  Young :  similar,  but  duller. 
Length :  4.12-4.75,  wing  2.00-2.85,  bill  about  .60. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  zone  of  North  Amer- 
ica ;  in  the  United  States  in  the  higher  mountain  ranges ; 
wintering  south  to  the  southern  border  of  the  United  States. 

Nest.  —  Described  by  Henshaw,  in  stub  a  few  feet  from  the  ground, 
lined  with  fine  shreds  of  pine  bark.  Eggs:  4  to  8,  grayish  white,  thinly 
spotted  with  red  at  larger  end. 

The  red-breasted  nuthatch  is  often  found  with  the  slender-billed 
in  the  west. 

730.  Sitta  pygxnsea  Vig.    PYGMY  NUTHATCH. 

Adults.  —  Top  of  head  grayish  brown  or  olive  gray,  nape  usually  white  ; 
rest  of  upper  parts  bluish  gray ;  tail  with  basal  half  of  middle  feathers 
white  ;  eye  stripe  black ;  chin  white  ;  rest  of  under  parts  dull  buffy.  Young : 
wing  coverts  usually  more  or  less  distinctly  edged  with  pale  buffy.  Length : 
3.80-4.55,  wing  about  2.60,  bill  .60-.  65. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  from  British 
Columbia  south  to  Mt.  Orizaba,  Mexico ;  and  from  the  liocky  Mts.  to  the 
Pacific. 

Nest.  —  In  crevice  of  bark  or  holes  in  trees  20  or  more  feet  from  the 
ground,  lined  with  feathers,  down,  wool,  and  hair.  Eggs  :  6  to  9,  white, 
covered  with  red  spots,  most  thickly  about  the  larger  end. 

The  nuthatches  are  all  interesting,  but  there  is  a  peculiar  charm 
about  the  little  pygmy.  In  the  Sierra  Nevada  aculeata  and  pygmcea 
are  sometimes  seen  together  in  the  pines  about  camp.  When  you 
see  the  slender-billed  coming  down  the  tree  trunk  over  your  head 


PYGMY  NUTHATCH 


NUTHATCHES   AND   TITS  455 

you  look  up  and  think,  "  What  an  alert,  bright  bird,"  but  when  the 
fluffy,  bob-tailed  little  pygmies  come  trooping  in  and  alight  upside 
down  against  the  tips  of  the  pine  branches,  talking  in  soft  little 
liquid  notes,  you  feel  like  exclaiming, "  Oh,  you  winsome  little  mites, 
how  jolly  it  is  to  see  you  again  !  " 

A  pair  feeding  nearly  grown  young  were  discovered  by  Mr.  Bailey 
in  the  Sierra  Nevada  toward  the  last  of  July.  Their  small  nest  hole 
was  widened  from  a  crack  in  the  hard  shell  of  a  half  decayed  pine, 
where  the  digging  was  probably  easy. 

GENUS    PARUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  curved ;  wings  and 
tail  about  equal  and  rounded ;  plumage  loose. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Head  crested. 

2.  Throat  black wollweberi,  p.  457. 

2'.  Throat  not  black. 

3.  Crest  black  or  brown,  contrasting-  with  gray  of  back. 

atricristatus,  p.  455. 
3'.  Crest  gray  like  back. 

4.  Upper  parts  dark  brownish  or  olive  gray.     Pacific  coast  region 

of  California  and  Oregon inornatus,  p.  456. 

4'.  Upper  parts  light  gray.     Colorado  to  Sierra  Nevada. 

griseus,  p.  456. 
1'.  Head  not  crested. 
2.  Top  of  head  brown. 

3.  Back  brownish  gray columbiaiius,  p.  459. 

3'.  Back  dark  rufous. 

4.  Sides  and  flanks  rufous rufescens,  p.  459. 

4'.  Sides  and  flanks  gray,  faintly  tinged  with  rufous. 

neglectus,  p.  459. 
2'.  Top  of  head  black. 

3.  With  white  line  over  eye gambeli,  p.  458. 

3'.  Without  white  line  over  eye. 

4.  Tail  longer  than  wing.     Rocky  Mountain  plateau. 

septentrionalis,  p.  457. 
4'.  Tail  equal  to  or  shorter  than  wing. 

5.  Sides  gray  like  back sclateri,  p.  458. 

5'.  Sides  not  gray. 

6.  Sides  white.     Texas agilis,  p.  486. 

6'.  Sides  buffy  or  brown. 

7.  Sides  buffy  (whitish  in  summer).     Eastern. 

atricapilhis,  p.  457. 
7'.  Sides  brown     .......    occidentalis,  p.  458. 

Subgenus  Lophophanes. 

Crested. 

732.  Parus  atricristatus  Cass.     BLACK-CRESTED  TITMOUSE. 
Adults.  —  Forehead  white  or  smoky  brown,  crest  black ;   rest  of  upper 


456 


NUTHATCHES  AND   TITS 


parts  plain  gray  ;  under  parts  white.  Young  :  usually  with  black  of  crest 
mixed  with  ash ;  upper  parts  slaty  gray,  washed  with  olive ;  under  parts 
with  sides  washed  with  brown  ;  throat  and  middle  of  belly  lighter.  Length : 
5-6,  wing  2.70-3.05,  tail  2.50-2.90. 

Distribution.  —  From  southeastern  Texas  west  to  El  Paso,  south  to  east- 
ern Mexico. 

Nest.  —  Often  in  old  woodpecker  holes,  4  to  12  feet  from  the  ground, 
made  of  wool,  inner  bark,  and  snake  skin.  Eggs :  usually  6,  white,  flecked 
with  reddish  brown. 

In  Uvalde,  Texas,  I  have  seen  this  little  Mexican  stranger  singing 
on  the  ridgepole  of  a  village  house.  His  black  crest  gave  him  a 
jaunty,  dressed-up  air,  but  withal  he  was  the  same  winning,  fluffy, 
domestic  little  body  as  the  rest  of  his  race.  He  sang  a  cheery  abbre- 
viation of  the  Peter-Peter  of  his  United  States  relatives,  —  a  Pete- 
Pete-Pete-Pete.  In  the  Chisos  and  Davis  mountains,  Mr.  Baile}r 
found  the  black-crest  one  of  the  most  abundant  birds  of  the  Upper 
Sonoran  zone,  flying  about  conspicuously  among  the  jumpers,  nut 
pines,  and  scrub  oaks. 

733.  Parus  inornatus  Gamb.    PLAIN  TITMOUSE. 

Adults.  —  Plain,  unmarked  ;  upper  parts  brownish  or  olive  gray ;  under 
parts  gray,  becoming  whitish  on  belly. 
Young  :  upper  parts  washed  with  brown  ; 
under  parts  ashy  white.  Length :  5.00- 
5.00,  wing  2.68-2.90,  tail  2.20-2.60,  bill 
.3S-.40. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Pacific  coast 
region  of  California  and  Oregon. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  of  trees  or  stumps, 
made  of  soft  felted  materials  and  feath- 
ers. Eggs :  6  to  8,  plain  white. 

There  is  an  indefinable  eharm  about 
the  slow,  clearly  enunciated  tu-whit, 
tu-whit,  tu-whit,  that  echoes  through 
the  oaks,  telling  of  the  presence  of  the 
plain  titmouse.  Its  soft  quaker  garb 
and  quiet,  gentle  ways  suit  well  with 
the  feeling  of  rest  and  content  that  comes  under  the  sun-filled  live- 
oaks.  There  is  a  pleasant  sense  of  mystery,  too,  till  one  has  discovered 
which  particular  knot-hole  has  been  intrusted  with  the  safe  keeping 
of  the  little  bird's  treasures ;  and  after  the  discovery  there  is  an  added 
delight  in  watching  them,  for  the  titmouse  parents  are  gentle  lovers 
and  most  attractive  housebuilders. 

733a.  P.  i.  griseus  Eidgw.    GRAY  TITMOUSE. 

Similar  to  inornatus,  but  lighter ;  upper  parts  light  gray ;  under  parts 

-  2.40-2.70,  bill  .40- 


whitish  gray. 

-.48. 


Length  :  5.75-6.10,  wing  2.80-3.00,  tail 


NUTHATCHES  AND   TITS 


457 


Distribution.  —  Resident  from  the  Sierra  Nevada  to  Colorado,  and  south 
to  New  Mexico  and  Arizona. 

734.  Parus  wollweberi  (Bonap.).    BRIDLED  TITMOUSE. 

Adults.  —  Throat  and  crest  black;  crown  patch  gray;  sides  of  head 
white,  marked  or  bridled  with  black ;  back  olive 
gray  ;  under  parts  dingy  whitish.  Young :  simi- 
lar, but  throat  gray,  except  for  black  on  chin  ; 
head  markings  less  defined.  Length :  4.50-5.00, 
wing  2.60-2.80,  tail  2.40-2.65. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Upper  Sonoran  zone 
from  western  Texas  to  southern  Arizona  and 
southward  to  Orizaba,  Mexico. 

Nest. — As  described  by  Scott,  3|  to  6  feet 
from  the  ground  in  oaks,  cavity  lined  with  cot- 
tonwood  down,  ferns,  grasses,  and  cotton  waste.  »  ?  /• 

:  5  to  7,  plain  white. 


Fig.  583. 


The  oddly  marked  little  wollweberi  is  an 
eminently  social  bird,  Mr.  Henshaw  tells  us, 
going  about,  except  in  the  nesting  season,  in 
flocks  of  twenty -five  or  more.     It  hunts  for  food  largely  in  oaks, 
passing  along  more  quietly  than  other  titmice. 

Subgenus  Parus. 
Not  crested. 

735.  Parus  atricapillus  Linn.    CHICKADEE. 

Adults.  —  Top  of  head  and  throat  black ;  back  ashy  or  olive  grayish, 
sometimes   tinged   with  buff y  ;   sides  buff y ;   rest  of   under 
parts  white.     Young :  upper  parts  dark  slate ;  under  parts 
salmon  color,  faintest  on   breast.     Length:  4.70-5.75,   wing 
2.55-2.75,  tail  2.50-2.70. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  eastern  North  America  north  of 
the  Potomac  and  Ohio  valleys  and  west  to  western  Nebraska. 
Recorded  from  Fort  Sherman,  Idaho. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  in  trees  or  stumps,  made  of  moss,  fur,  hair,  and  some- 
times feathers.  Eggs :  4  to  8,  white,  spotted  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac, 
chiefly  around  larger  end. 

Food.  —  Injurious  insects  and  their  eggs,  including  tent-caterpillars, 
cankerwovms,  and  plant  lice  ;  also  seeds  and  small  fruit. 

At  Fort  Sherman,  Idaho,  the  chickadee  appears,  strangely  enough, 
to  be  practically  identical  with  the  far  removed  eastern  black 
capped. 

735a.  P.  a.  septentrionalis  (Harris).    LONG-TAILED  CHICKADEK. 

Like  atricapillus,  but  paler ;  throat,  top  of  head,  and  nape  black ;  back 
pale  ash,  tinged  with  brownish  ;  wings  with  white  patch  and  edgings ;  tail 
feathers  edged  with  white  ;  sides  of  head  and  under  parts  white  ;  sides  and 
flanks  washed  with  pale  buffy.  Length:  4.75-6.00,  wing  2.55-2.80,  tail 
2.55-3.CO. 

Distribution.  —  From  British  Columbia  and  Lake  Winnipeg  south  over 
the  Rocky  Mountain  plateau  region,  and  east  to  the  Plains. 


458  NUTHATCHES  AND  TITS 

The  long-tailed  chickadee  is  common  in  the  mountains  of  Montana, 
and  in  Colorado  breeds  from  7000  to  10,000  feet,  wintering,  Prof. 
Cooke  says,  on  the  plains  and  foothills,  occasionally  up  to  8000  feet. 
It  is  sometimes  found  with  flocks  of  the  mountain  chickadee,  and  is 
also  common  in  willows  along  streams. 

735b.  P.  a.  occidentalis  (Baird).    OREGON  CHICKADEE. 

Top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  glossy  jet  black,  back  dark  gray,  tinged 
with  olive  brown ;  sides  of  head  clear  white,  in  sharp  contrast  to  black  of 
head  and  throat ;  median  under  parts  white,  contrasting  with  tawny  brown 
sides.  Length :  4.50-5.25,  wing  2.35-2.60,  tail  2.30-2.55. 

Remarks.  —  The  Oregon  chickadee  differs  from  the  long-tailed  in  darker 
coloration  and  shorter  tail. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast  region,  Sitka  to  northern  California. 

736a.  Parus  carolinensis  agilis  Senn.  See  Appendix,  page  486. 

737.  Parus  SClateri  Kleins.     MEXICAN  CHICKADEE. 

Top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  jet  black,  sides  of  head  clear  white  ;  black 
of  throat  spreading  fan-shaped  over  chest ;  median  under  parts  white,  con- 
trasting with  dark  gray  of  sides.  Length  :  4.70-5.20,  wing  2.60-2.80,  tail 
2.25-2.40. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains  of  southern  Arizona  and  Mexico  to  Orizaba. 

738.  Parus  gambeli  Ridgw.    MOUNTAIN  CHICKADEE. 

Throat  and  top  of  head  jet  black ;  black  of  head  broken  by  white  super- 
ciliary line  ;  sides  of  head  whtye  ;  back  gray ;  median  under  parts  grayish 
white  ;  sides  dark  gray,  tinged  with  light  brown.  Length  :  5.00-5.75,  wing 
2.70-3.00,  tail  2.40-2.60. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  and  Transition  zones  of  the  moun- 
tains throughout  the  western  United  States  as  far  east  as  the  eastern  slope 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  from  British  Columbia  south  to  Lower 
California. 

Nest. — In  an  old  woodpecker  hole  or  natural  cavity,  3  to  15  feet  from  the 
ground,  usually  lined  with  rabbit  fur.  Eggs:  5  to  9,  plain  white  or 
spotted  with  reddish  brown,  chiefly  around  the  larger  end. 

The  whistles  of  the  mountain  chickadee  are  perhaps  the  com- 
monest notes  heard  in  the  forests  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  In  the 
usual  forms  of  the  whistle  either  the  one  long  note  is  followed  by 
two  or  three  short  notes  — phw'-de-de  or  phce'-de-de-de,  or  else  the 
long  note  stands  between  the  short  notes,  as  de-de-phce! '-de-de. 

Gambeli  is  a  typical  chickadee  in  all  its  motions,  making  short 
tilting  flights  from  one  treetop  to  another,  and  clinging  upside  down 
to  the  tips  of  the  branches.  It  is  an  unsuspicious  little  friend,  most 
pleasant  to  meet  in  the  dark  coniferous  forests,  always  ready  with  a 
cheery  word. 

It  makes  a  snug  nest  in  some  old  woodpecker  hole.  The  female 
usually  sits  very  close,  Dr.  Merrill  says,  and  when  disturbed  '  keeps 
up  a  constant  hissing  so  much  like  that  of  some  snakes,  that  no 
prudent  squirrel  would  .venture  to  enter  the  hole/ 


MOUNTAIN  CHICKADEE 


NUTHATCHES  AND   TITS  459 

740b.  Parus  hudsonicus  columbianus  Ehoads.  COLUMBIAN 
CHICKADEE. 

Top  of  head  hair  brown;  back  lighter  brown;  sides  of  head  white  ;  throat 
blackish  ;  flanks  dark  reddish  brown ;  median  under  parts  whitish.  Wing : 
2.70,  tail  2.64. 

Distribution.  —  Rocky  Mountains  from  Liard  River  south  to  Montana. 

741.  Parus  rufescens  Towns.     CHESTNUT-BACKED  CHICKADEE. 
Adults.  —  Throat  blackish  brown  ;  top  of  head  and  back  of  neck  hair 

brown ;  superciliary  black ;  back,  sides,  and  flanks  dark  reddish  brown ; 
rest  of  under  parts  and  sides  of  head  white.  Young  :  top  of  head,  back  of 
neck,  and  throat  dark  sooty  brown ;  back  dull  chestnut,  tinged  with  olive ; 
sides  ashy,  partly  washed  with  brown.  Length :  4.50-5.00,  wing1  2.35-2.GO, 
tail  2.00-2.30. 

Distribution.  —  From  Alaska  south  to  California,  east  to  Idaho. 

Nest.  —  In  stub,  12  to  40  feet  from  the  ground,  lined  with  cow  hair,  rab- 
bit fur,  feathers,  or  moss.  Eggs :  white,  unmarked  or  minutely  spotted 
with  reddish. 

At  Cape  Disappointment,  Washington,  Mr.  Kobbe  found  the 
chestnut-backed  chickadees  affecting  preferably  the  more  open 
woods  along  roads  and  trails.  They  were  very  common  all  the  year 
around,  especially  during  the  rainy  winters,  when  larg?  flocks  of 
them  could  be  seen  scrambling  about  on  the  branches  of  the  drip- 
ping firs  in  search  of  insects.  They  were  often  found  with  Oregon 
chickadees  and  golden-crowned  kinglets.  Their  call-note  Mr. 
Kobbe  gives  as  a  lisping  the-the-the-te-te. 

Mr.  Walter  Fisher  found  the  birds  very  abundant  on  Mt.  St. 
Helena  in  August  and  September. 

74 la.  P.  r.  neglectus  Eidgw.     CALIFORNIA  CHICKADEE. 

Similar  to  the  chestnut-backed  chickadee,  but  sides  and  flanks  light 
grayish,  only  lightly  tinged  with  brown.  Wing :  2.30-2.60,  tail  2.00-2.20. 

Distribution.  —  Coast  of  California,  from  Monterey  northward. 

GENUS    CHAMJEA. 

General  Characters.  —  Plumage  soft  and  loose ;  lores  and  gape  bristled ; 
rounded  wings  much  shorter  than  graduated  tail ;  bill  much  shorter  than 
head,  stout ;  nostrils  naked. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Under  parts  dark  ruddy  brown.    Coast  region  of  Oregon  and  California. 

phcea,  p.  400. 

1'.  Under  parts  light  pinkish  or  yellowish  brown.    California,  except  north- 
west coast  district fasciata,  p.  459. 

742.  Chamsea  fasciata  Gamb.    PALLID  WREN-TiT.1 

Upper  parts  gray,  tinged  with  olive  or  brown  on  posterior  part ;  tail 

1  Chamcea  Jasciata  intermedia  Grinnell. 

Back  and  upper  tail  covertB  sepia ;  throat  and  breast  cinnamon  rufous. 

Distribution.  —Type  locality,  Palo  Alto,  California.    (The  Condor ;  ii.  86.) 


460  NUTHATCHES   AND   TITS 

long',  graduated  ;  under  parts  fawn,  buffy  brown,  or  pinkish  brown,  more 
or  less  obscurely  streaked  with  dusky.  Wing  : 
2.37,  tail  3.41,  bill  .42. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Upper  Sonoran 
zoue  from  San  Francisco  Bay  south  to  north- 
ern Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  In  low  bushes,  made  of  twigs  and  straws  mixed  with  feathers. 
Eggs :  3  to  5,  plain  pale  greenish  blue. 

One  of  the  most  persistent  of  the  pleasant  memories  of  the  cha- 
parral-covered hills  of  California  is  that  of  the  bell-like  keep-keep- 
keep-keep- keep-it,  keep-it,  keep-it,  of  the  wren-tit.  It  is  given  with 
many  variations,  but  you  always  recognize  the  quality  that,  far  in 
the  east,  calls  up  the  smell  of  the  blue  sage  on  a  warm  California  day. 
But  though  his  voice  is  continually  ringing  in  your  ears  the  wren- 
tit  is  at  times  as  wary  and  secretive  as  the  chat,  and  you  may  hunt 
through  the  chaparral  full  many  a  merry  day  before  you  see  him  sing. 
When  you  accidentally  come  face  to  face  with  him  on  his  own 
domains,  he  makes  it  appear  such  a  casual  meeting  in  a  neighbor- 
hood in  which  he  has  no  interest,  that  the  worldly  wise  observer  is 
fairly  maddened  with  curiosity  and  desire  to  discover  his  nest. 

The  appearance  and  mannerisms  of  the  birds  stimulate  this  inter- 
est. They  are  brown,  with  light  yellow  eyes,  and  long  tails  which 
tilt  up  and  down  as  they  fly,  and  are  often  held  up  as  they  hunt  in  a 
wren-like,  careful  way  over  the  chaparral  branches. 

742a.  C.  f.  phsea  Osgood.    COAST  WREN-TIT. 

Upper  parts  dark  brown  becoming  sooty  on  head ;  under  parts  dark 
ruddy  brown,  indistinctly  streaked  with  dusky. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Transition  zone  on  coast  of  Oregon  and  Cali- 
fornia from  Astoria  to  Nicasio. 

GENUS  PSALTRIPARUS. 

General  Characters.  —  Plumage  loose ;  bill  much  shorter  than  head ; 
nostrils  concealed ;  wings  rounded,  shorter  than  long,  graduated  tail. 

KEF  TO  SPECIES. 

1.  Top  of  head  brown. 

2.  Top  of  head  sooty  brown.     Pacific  coast  region,  from  northern  Cali- 
fornia to  Washington minimus,  p.  460. 

2'.  Top  of  head  light  brown.     California,  except  northern  coast  district. 

calif  ornicus.  p.  461. 
1'.  Top  of  head  gray. 

2.  Sides  of  head  black Hoy  di,  p.  462. 

2'.  Sides  of  head  brown. 

3.  Head  with  blackish  streak  along  side  of  occiput. 

santaritae,  p.  462. 
3'.  Head  plain  bluish  gray plnmbeus,  p.  462. 

743.  Psaltriparus  minimus  (Towns.).    BUSH-TIT. 

Top  of  head  sooty  brown ;  back  dark  grayish  brown  or  brownish  gray ; 


NUTHATCHES  AND  TITS 


461 


under  parts  smoky  brownish  on  sides.     Length :    4.00-4.50,  wing   1.95,  tail 
2.20. 

Distribution.  —  Transition  zone  of  the  Pacific  coast  region  from  Wash- 
ington to  northern  California. 

Nest.  —  Hung  in  thickets  of  ash 
and  willow,  bulky,  purse-shaped, 
with  entrance  usually  on  one  side 
near  top;  made  of  mosses,  plant 
fibers,  lichens,  and  feathers.  Eggs : 
5  to  9,  white,  unmarked. 

.Food.  —  Black  olive  scale  and 
other  insect  food. 

In  Golden  Gate  Park,  San  Fran- 
cisco, while  the  white-crowned 
and  golden-crowned  sparrows  are 
busy  on  the  lawns,  faint  notes 
come  from  the  undergrowth, 
which  on  investigation  proves  to 
be  astir  with  flocks  of  diminutive 
bush-tits,  though  their  gray  coats 
disguise  them  so  wrell  that  unless 
you  look  sharp  the  oak  leaves 
seem  to  be  merely  rustling  in  the 
wind.  When  watched  carefully 
the  little  balls  of  feathers  are  seen 
to  be  busily  looking  for  insect  eggs  quite  after  the  fashion  of  their 
larger  chickadee  cousins.  Flitting  from  branch  to  branch  they  fly 
up  to  light  upside  down  on  the  underside  of  a  bough,  and  then 
without  taking  the  trouble  to  turn  right  side  up  drop  down  back- 
wards to  catch  upside  down  on  the  tip  of  another  twig,  where  they 
bend  double  over  the  terminal  buds  looking  for  food. 

In  southern  California,  where  the  California  bush-tits  breed  very 
abundantly,  their  long  gray  hanging  nests  are  common  objects  as  you 
ride  about  among  the  oaks,  so  common  that  the  birds,  which  might 
well  be  overlooked  but  for  their  nests,  are  known  familiarly  as 
'hang-birds.' 

In  a  nest  which  came  to  grief,  apparently  pulled  down  by  its  own 
weight,  I  counted  over  three  hundred  little  feathers  in  addition  to 
a  mass  of  fine  gray  moss  and  oak  blossoms. 

743a.  P.  m.  californicus  Eidgw.     CALIFORNIA  BUSH-TIT. 

Similar  to  minimus,  but  lighter,  top  of  head  light  brown,  contrasting 
more  sharply  with  light  gray  of  back  ;  under  parts  light  brownish.  Length : 
4.00-4.50,  wing  1.85-2.10,  tail  2.00-2.30. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  of  Cali- 
fornia, except  along  the  north  coast. 

Food.  —  Black  scale,  weevils,  caterpillars,  cocoons,  insect  eggs,  bark 
lice  and  large  numbers  of  other  injurious  insects. 


Fig.  586. 


462  NUTHATCHES  AND  TITS 

744.  Psaltriparus  plumbeus  Baird.    LEAD-COLORED  BusH-Trr. 

Upper  parts  plain  bluish  gray  ;  sides  of  head  brown  ;  under  parts  grayish 
white,  faintly  tinged  with  pale  brownish  on  belly.  Length:  4. 12— 4.('0, 
wing  2.00-2.15,  tail  2.35-2.50. 

Distribution.  —  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  from  eastern  Oregon 
and  western  Wyoming  to  Arizona,  and  from  western  Texas  to  California. 

Nest.  —  In  Chisos  Mountains,  Texas,  12  to  15  feet  from  ground,  in  a 
nut  pine,  a  greenish  gray  bag  0  or  8  inches  long,  made  of  lichens,  oak 
flowers,  and  catkins,  woven  with  cocoon  silk.  Eggs :  4,  white. 

When  we  were  working  in  the  Guadalupe  Mountains  of  Texas  and 
New  Mexico,  while  the  ant-eating  woodpecker  was  calling  and  band- 
tailed  pigeons  were  flying  noisily  to  water,  our  attention  would  often 
be  attracted  by  small  voices  in  the  brush,  and  presently  a  large  flock 
of  the  tiny  lead-colored  bush-tits  would  swarm  in  and  pass  from 
juniper  to  juniper  and  pinon  to  pinon  through  camp,  disappearing 
as  they  came,  full  of  small  talk  and  business. 

744.1.  Psaltriparus  santaritse  Ridgw.    SANTA  RITA  BUSH-TIT. 

Similar  to  plumbeus,  but  smaller,  sides  of  head  paler  brown,  and  with  a 
more  or  less  distinct  blackish  line  along  sides  of  occiput. 
Distribution.  —  Santa  Rita  Mountains,  southern  Arizona. 

745.  Psaltriparus  lloydi  Senn.    LLOYD  BUSH-TIT. 

Upper  parts  gray  ;  sides  of  head  and  partial  collar  around  back  of  head 
black ;  under  parts  grayish,  faintly  washed  with 
pale  brownish. 

Distribution.  —  Mountains    of   western   Texas, 
between  the  Pecos  and  Rio  Grande  rivers ;  south 
Fig.  587.  to  northern  Mexico. 

GENUS   AUKIPARUS. 

746.  Auriparus  flaviceps  (Sund.).    VEKDIN. 

Bill  nearly  straight ;  plumage  compact ;  wings  pointed,  decidedly  longer 
than  tail.  Adult  male :  head,  neck,  and  chest  bright  yellow ;  olive  on 
crown  and  sometimes  orange  on  forehead  ;  shoulder  patch  reddish  chest- 
nut ;  rest  of  upper  parts  gray  ;  under  parts  whitish.  Adult  female  :  sim- 
ilar, but  yellow  restricted  and  duller.  Young  :  without  yellow  or  reddish 
brown,  and  gray  of  upper  parts  tinged  with  brown.  Length :  4.00-4.60,  wing 
1.90-2.12,  tail  1.75-2.05. 

Distribution.  —  Resident  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  southern  Texas  to 
the  Pacific  and  from  southern  Utah  and  Nevada  to  Mexico  and  northern 
Lower  California. 

Nest.  —  Bulky,  globular,  flask  or  retort-shaped,  the  entrance  a  small 
round  hole  on  one  side  ;  composed  of  sticks,  thorny  twigs,  and  coarse  grass 
stems,  lined  with  feathers  and  down  ;  placed  in  thorny  bushes  or  low  trees. 
Eggs :  3  to  6,  bluish  or  greenish  white,  speckled,  chiefly  around  larger 
end,  with  reddish  brown. 

The  verdin  lives  in  the  lower  mesquite  valleys  along  the  Rio  Grande 
and  the  Colorado,  the  Gila  and  the  Pecos  rivers,  seeming  to  prefer 
brushy  valleys  to  open  desert.  It  is  an  active  little  body,  bobbing 


KINGLETS,  GNATCATCHERS,  ETC.  463 

about  in  the  thorn  bushes  like  a  kinglet,  scolding  and  sputtering 
when  you  are  near  its  nest.  Very  much  of  a  stay-at-home  little  per- 
son it  is,  too,  sleeping  all  the  winter  nights  in  the  old  nests,  relined 
with  feathers  and  hair,  or  in  new  ones  built  for  the  especial  purpose. 
It  shows  almost  as  much  anxiety  when  its  winter  house  is  ap- 
proached as  if  it  contained  eggs  or  young.  Poke  your  finger  into 
the  small  round  hole  at  the  side  of  the  nest  early  in  the  morning  or 
after  sundown  in  January,  and  you  will  feel  a  flutter  of  feathers  or 
get  a  sharp  peck  on  the  fingers  to  teach  you  better  manners.  Even 
in  the  breeding  season  the  bird  not  engaged  in  incubation  spends  the 
nights  in  a  nest  not  far  away,  probably  an  old  one  used  for  eggs  the 
previous  year. 

The  song  of  the  verdin  seems  even  more  out  of  proportion  to  his 
inches  than  his  nest,  and  on  following  it  up  you  expect  to  find  a 
big  warbler  or  sparrow  instead  of  such  a  tiny  bird. 

I  once  saw  a  verdin  pick  a  scarlet  lysium  berry,  and  with  it 
grasped  firmly  in  one  foot,  his  tarsus  resting  across  a  branch,  eat  the 
juicy  pulp  from  around  the  seeds  with  more  ease  and  grace  than  a 
hawk  could  boast  in  picking  a  sparrow.  VERNON  BAILEY. 

FAMILY   SYLVIIDJE:    KINGLETS,   GNATCATCHERS, 

ETC. 

KEY  TO   GENERA. 

1.  Tail  graduated,  marked  with  white Polioptila,  p.  465. 

1'.  Tail  emarginate,  not  marked  with  white      ....  Regulus,  p.  463. 

GENUS  REGTJLUS. 

General   Characters.  —  Bill   shorter  than   head,   straight, 
slender ;     nostrils    concealed ;    wings    pointed,   longer   than 
emarginate  tail ;  tarsus  slender,  longer  than  middle  toe  and 
Fig.  588.       claw,  not  scaled. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Crown  marked  with  black  and  yellow. 

2.  Coloration  duller satrapa,  p,  463. 

^'.Coloration  brighter olivaceus,  p.  464. 

1'.  Crown  not  marked  with  black  and  yellow  ;  male  with  red  crown  patch. 

2.  Upper  parts  grayish  olive calendula,  p.  404. 

2'.  Upper  parts  sooty  olive grinnelli,  p.  465. 

748.  Regulus  satrapa  Licht.    GOLDEN-CROWNED  KINGLET. 

Adult  male.  —  Crown  encircled  anteriorly  with  black,  bordered  inside  by 
yellow,  with  a  central  orange  patch  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  gray- 
ish olive,  more  olive  toward  rump  ;  wings  with  two  whitish 
bands  ;  under  parts  dingy  whitish.  Adult  female :  similar, 
but  crown  patch  wholly  yellow.  Young :  crown  patch  want- 
ing but  white  line  over  eye ;  breast  washed  with  fawn  Fig.  589. 


464  KINGLETS,  GNATCATCHERS,  ETC. 

color.  Length :  3.15-4.55,  wing  2.10-2.25,  tail  1.60-2.00,  exposed  culmen 
.25-.30. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  generally,  breeding  in  Boreal  zone  forests 
of  the  northern  parts  of  the  United  States  northward;  migrating  to 
Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  A  ball-like  mass  of  green  moss  attached  to  end  of  branch  in 
pine  or  fir ;  lined  with  hair  and  feathers.  Eggs  :  5  to  10,  white  or  buffy, 
faintly  specked,  chiefly  around  larger  end,  with  deeper  buffy. 

7 48 a.     B.    s.    olivaceus    Baird.     WESTERN    GOLDEN-CROWNED 
KINGLET. 

Similar  to  satrapa,  but  brighter,  crown  colors  sharper,  upper  parts 
greener,  and  under  parts  more  washed  with  buffy  brown. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  region  of  North  America  from  California 
northward ;  migrates  to  Guatemala. 

The  notes  that  you  hear  from  a  family  of  golden-crowns  are  a 
thin  ti-ti-ti-ti-ti;  little  more,  but  the  white  line  over  the  eye  of  the 
young  ones  tells  its  story. 

749.  Regulus  calendula  (Linn.).  RUBY-CROWNED  KINGLET. 
Adult  male.  —  Crown  patch  bright  red  ;  upper  parts  grayish,  brightening 
to  greenish  on  rump,  and  with  greenish  yellow  edges  to 
feathers  ;  wings  with  two  narrow  whitish  bands  ;  under  parts 
dingy  whitish.  Adult  female  and  young  :  similar,  but  with- 
out  crown  patch.  Length:  3.75-4.60,  wing  2.20-2.30,  tail 
Fig.  590.  1.85-1.90,  bill  from  nostril  .20-.22. 

Distribution.  —  North  America  from  the  arctic  coast  to  Guatemala ; 
breeds  in  Boreal  zone  chiefly  north  of  the  United  States,  and  in  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  Sierra  Nevada,  and  mountains  of  Arizona  ;  migrates  to  Guate- 
mala. 

Nest.  —  Semi-pensile,  bulky,  made  of  shreds  of  bark,  feathers,  and 
green  moss,  lined  with  hair  and  feathers ;  attached  to  end  of  pine  or 
spruce  branch,  or  placed  in  the  top  of  a  small  tree,  10  to  20  feet  from  the 
ground.  Eggs :  5  to  9,  whitish  or  buffy,  faintly  spotted,  chiefly  around 
larger  end,  with  light  brown  (sometimes  nearly  plain). 

In  the  high  Sierra  one  of  the  notes  that  you  hear  most  frequently 
from  the  impenetrable  tops  of  the  highest  firs  comes  apparently 
from  this  bit  of  a  kinglet ;  and  as  you  crane  your  neck  and  strain 
your  eyes  day  after  day  and  week  after  week  in  riding  under  the 
trees  in  the  vain  attempt  to  see  him  do  it,  the  rolling  notes  shape 
themselves  ungrammatically  to  your  aggravated  query,  who-be' -you  ? 
who-be' -you  ?  who-be' -you  ? 

The  scolding  chatter  of  the  ruby-crowned  kinglet  with  the  plump 
little  figure's  lift  of  the  wing,  however  far  overhead,  always  tells  an 
unmistakable  tale.  The  cheery,  busy  little  chap  brings  his  own  wel- 
come in  the  timber,  chatting  sociably  as  he  hunts  with  microscopic 
care  over  the  twigs  and  flutters  hummingbird-fashion  under  the 
green  sprays  ;  but  when  he  sings  you  regard  him  with  a  new  feel- 
ing of  wondering  admiration,  —  such  a  volume  of  song  and  such  a 
well-modulated,  liquid,  ringing  melody  1 


KINGLETS,  GNATCATCHERS,  ETC. 


465 


749a.  R.  C.  grinnelli  W.  Palmer.    SITKAN  KINGLET. 

Adult  male.  —  Similar  to  calendula,  but  smaller  and  darker ;  upper 
parts  sooty  olive,  darkening  to  blackish  along  sides  of  vermilion  crown 
patch ;  wing  with  dark  parts  nearly  black ;  throat  and  breast  dusky  gray ; 
belly  whitish,  tinged  with  yellowish.  Young  male  :  rich  brownish  olive, 
much  darker  than  corresponding  calendula,  and  under  parts  brighter. 
Wing:  2.17,  tail  1.70,  bill  .16. 

Distribution.  —  Sitka  district,  Alaska  ;  migrating  south  to  California. 

GENUS    POLIOPTILA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  shorter  than  head,  broad  and  flat-  ^===j^. 
tened  at  base,  narrowing  to  slender  notched  and  hooked  tip  ; 

nostrils  exposed ;  wings  rounded ;  tail  graduated ;  tarsus  scaled ;  "*^^^^^ 

toes  short,  side  ones  only  about  half  as  long  as  tarsus.  Fig.  591. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Outer  tail  feather  with  exposed  portion  entirely  white. 

2.  Crown  light  bluish  gray.     From  Colorado  east. 

caerulea,  p.  465. 

Fig.  592. 

2'.  Crown  dark  bluish  gray.     Western  Texas  to  California. 

obscura,  p.  466. 
1'.  Outer  tail  feather  with  exposed  portion  partly  black. 

2.  Outer  tail  feather  with  outer  web  entirely  white. 

plumbea,  p.  466, 


Fig.  593. 


Fig.  504. 


2'.  Outer  tail  feather  with  outer  web  black,  edged  with 
white.     Southern  California     .  californica,  p.  466. 


751.  Polioptila  cserulea  (Linn.).    BLUE-GRAY  GNATCATCHER. 

Adult  male. — Upper  parts  bluish  gray,  brightest  on  crown,  fading  to 
lighter  on  rump ;  forehead  and 
line  over  eye  black ;  tail  black  with 
exposed  part  of  outer  feathers  en- 
tirely white ;  under  parts  white 
washed  with  bluish  on  sides. 
Adult  female  and  young :  simi- 
lar, but  duller,  and  without  black 
on  head  ;  young  with  iipper  parts 
washed  with  cinnamon.  Length  : 
4.05-5.50,  wing  2.00-2.20,  tail 
2.05-2.20. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Up- 
per Sonoran  zone  in  the  eastern 
and  central  United  States  west 
to  Colorado  and  western  Texas  ; 
winters  from  the  southern  Atlan- 
tic and  Gulf  states  to  Guatemala, 
Cuba,  and  the  Bahamas. 

Nest.  —  In  trees,  cup-shaped,  FiS-  595- 


466  KINGLETS,  GNATCATCHERS,  ETC. 

compact,  made  of  leaves,  feathers,  and  plant  fibers,  and  decorated  with 
lichens.  Eygs :  4  or  5,  pale  greenish  white,  spotted  with  reddish  brown, 
lilac,  and  slate,  confluent  around  larger  end. 

The  gnatcatchers  are  active,  high-strung  little  sprites,  never  still  a 
minute,  but  going  about  whipping  their  tails  from  side  to  side,  cock- 
ing their  heads  over  to  look  up  or  gaze  down,  and  crying  tsang', 
tsang',  here  I  am,  here'  I  am,  with  nervous  emphasis,  talking  to 
themselves  when  no  one  is  by.  They  are  most  entertaining  birds  to 
watch,  always  saying  or  doing  something  original,  jaunty  individual 
scraps,  full  of  their  quaint  airs  and  graces. 

With  all  their  airs  they  are  most  painstaking,  skillful  builders,  and 
parents  who  know  no  fear,  flying  boldly  at  the  big  birds  who  molest 
them  and  driving  them  off  with  good  set  blows. 

75 la.  P.  C.  obscura  Eidgw.    WESTERN  GNATCATCHER. 

Similar  to  ccerulea,  but  darker,  less  blue  above,  and  black  superciliary 
less  distinct ;  white  on  tail  feathers  more  restricted. 

Distribution.  —  Western  Texas  and  New  Mexico  to  Arizona,  California, 
Lower  California,  and  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Nelson,  in  a  bush  3  feet  from  the  ground,  made 
of  shreds  of  bark  lined  with  finer  shreds  and  feathers.  Eggs :  4  or  5, 
marked  with  reddish  brown  and  purplish,  most  heavily  around  larger  end. 

752.  Polioptila  plumbea  Baird.     PLUMBEOUS  GNATCATCHER. 
Adult  male.  —  Top  of  head  glossy  blue  black,  in  sharp  contrast  to  light 

gray  of  back ;  tail  black,  outer  tail  feather  with 
outer  web  entirely  white,  inner  web  tipped  with 
_____^  white  ;  under  parts  white,  washed  with  bluish 

Fie  596  STSLJ  on  sides.     Adult  female  and  young :  simi- 

.  lar,  but  without  black  on  head,  and  gray  of 
back  sometimes  washed  with  brownish.  Length :  4.25-4.60,  wing  1.90-2.00, 
tail  2.15-2.25. 

Remarks.  —  The  plumbeous  and  black-tailed  gnatcatchers  may  be  dis- 
tinguished by  the  outer  web  of  the  outer  tail  feather,  which  in  the  black- 
tailed  is  black  edged  with  white ;  in  the  plumbeous,  wholly  white. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Lower  Sonoran  zone  from  western  Texas  to  the 
eastern  edge  of  the  Mohave  Desert ;  south  along  eastern  coast  of  Lower 
California. 

Nest.  —  One  near  Terlingua,  Texas,  in  f ouquiera  bush,  made  of  gray 
fibers  of  wood  and  bark,  wound  with  spider  web,  and  lined  with  cactus 
wool.  Eggs :  2,  pale  blue,  spotted  with  brown,  most  thickly  around  larger 
end. 

The  small  bluish  figure  of  plumbea  is  a  familiar  sight  in  the  brushy 
canyon  mouths  of  the  Guadalupe  Mountains  in  Texas  and  in  the 
orchard-like  juniper  and  pinon  pine  tops  of  the  mountains. 

753.  Polioptila    calif ornica    Brewst.      BLACK-TAILED    GNAT- 

CATCHER. 

Adult  male.  —  Crown  black ;  rest  of  upper  parts  dark  gray ;  tail  black, 
outer  feather  with  outer  web  black  edged  with  white,  and  inner  web  narrowly 


THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC.       467 

tipped  with  white  ;  under  parts  gray,  tinged  with  brown  on  lower  belly. 
Adult  female :  similar,  but  without  black  on  head.  Young:  like  female, 
but  with  browner  wash  and  black  of  adult  male  appearing  gradually. 
Length:  4.15-4.50,  wing  1.90-2.00,  tail  2.15-2.25. 

Distribution.  —  From  southern  California  along  the  Pacific  coast  of  Lower 
California. 

Nest.  —  As  described  by  Anthony,  in  fork  of  a  weed,  2-£  feet  from  the 
ground,  made  of  shreds  of  weeds  and  grass  stalks  lined  with  rabbit  hair. 
Eggs :  4,  bluish  green,  lightly  spotted  and  wreathed  around  larger  end  with 
reddish  brown. 


FAMILY  TURDID-ffJ :    THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUE- 
BIRDS, ETC. 

KEY   TO    GENERA. 

i.  Plumage  largely  or  wholly  blue Sialia,  p.  475. 

1 ' .  Plumage  largely  gray  or  brown. 

2.  Under  parts  reddish  or  yellowish  brown. 

3.  Chest  with  a  dark  band      ........     Ixoreus,  p.  473. 

3'.  Chest  without  dark  band    .     ...     .....  Merula,  p.  472. 

2'.  Under  parts  white,  buffy,  or  grayish. 

3.  Tail  white  basally,  black  terminally    ....  Saxicola,  p.  475. 

3'.  Tail  not  white  basally  or  black  terminally. 

4.  Wings  with  two  light  bars Myadestes,  p.  467. 

4'.  Wings  plain  . Hylocichla,  p.  468. 

GENUS    MYADESTES. 

754.  Myadestes  townsendii  (Aud.).    TOWNSEND  SOLITAIRE. 

Bill  short,  flattened,  widened  at  base,  deeply  cleft;   legs  weak;    tail 
feathers   tapering.     Adults  :   brownish 
gray,   paler  beneath ;    wings  with  two 
whitish  wing  bars,  bases  of  primaries 
and    secondaries    buffy    or    yellowish 

brown ;  tail  feathers   with   outer  web  Fig.  597. 

and  tip  of  inner  web  grayish  white. 
Young :  wings  and  tail  as  in  adult ;  rest  of  plumage,  including  wing  cov- 
erts, conspicuously  spotted  with  buff.  Length :  7.80-9.50,  wing  4.35-4.85, 
tail  4.15-4.70. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  mountains  mainly  in  Canadian  zone  from  Brit- 
ish Columbia  south  to  Zacatecas,  Mexico,  and  from  the  Black  Hills  to  the 
Pacific ;  winters  south  to  southern  Arizona  and  northern  Lower  Califor- 
nia. 

Nest.  —  On  the  ground,  on  logs  or  stumps,  on  banks  of  streams  or  among 
rocks,  bulky,  made  largely  of  sticks  and  pine  needles.  Eggs :  3  to  6,  whit- 
ish, spotted  with  reddish  brown. 

The  name  Myadestes  is  associated  with  the  choicest  spots  of  the 
mountain  heights.  In  the  Sierra  Nevada  we  found  the  birds  on  their 
nesting  ground  on  the  granite  knob  above  Donner  Pass,  at  7900  feet. 
They  evidently  had  a  nest  somewhere  along  a  steep,  wooded  stream 
bed,  which  was  flanked  with  bare  granite,  from  which  woodchucks 
whistled  and  conies  barked.  But  while  nutcrackers,  Richardson 


468        THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC. 

pewees,  green-tailed  chewinks,  and  mountain  song  sparrows  made 
themselves  conspicuous,  the  pair  of  solitaires  were  too  conscious  of 
intruders  to  give  any  information.  The  male,  who  suggested  a  meek 
mockingbird,  guarded  the  brook  in  an  aggravatingly  non-committal 
way,  perching  on  dead  branches  or  flying  to  the  ground,  where  he 
ran  over  the  rocks  with  the  run-and-halt  motion  of  a  robin,  or  sat  on 
a  stone  quivering  his  wings  slightly  at  his  sides.  His  mate  would 
sometimes  slip  away  from  the  nest  and  appear  on  a  branch  by  his 
side,  and  once  I  followed  the  pair  over  the  boulders  and  up  the  cliff, 
thinking  they  had  gone  to  their  nest  in  some  other  place,  only  to  be 
led  back  over  the  rocks  to  their  little  brook  under  the  evergreens. 
Then,  as  the  setting  sun  lit  up  the  tops  of  the  hemlocks  that  stood  by 
the  brook,  turning  their  yellow  lichen-covered  branches  to  golden 
arms,  the  solitaire,  perched  on  a  sunlit  branch,  sang  a  low  evening- 
song  in  the  mellow  light.  At  other  times,  and  when  not  on  guard, 
the  bird's  song  would  fairly  ring  through  the  air.  When  given 
freely  it  is  a  strong,  clear  song  with  a  flavor  all  its  own.  Heard 
from  the  tips  of  the  highest  trees  on  the  crest  of  the  range,  as  it  so 
often  is,  the  song  has  the  freshness  and  invigoration  of  the  air  from 
the  snow-banks,  and  is  given  with  the  strong  freedom  of  the  moun- 
tain tops.  In  the  rocky  solitudes  of  the  Garden  of  the  Gods  it  is  said 
that  the  solitaire's  voice  is  sometimes  all  that  breaks  the  silence. 

GENUS  HYLOCICHLA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  slender,  but  widened  and  flattened  at  base, 
notched  near  end ;  tarsus  decidedly  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

KEY   TO    SPECIES. 

1.  Sides  as  well  as  breast  heavily  spotted ;  head  golden  brown.     Eastern 

United  States *. mustelina,  p.  469. 

1'.  Sides  gray  or  brown,  unspotted ;  head  not  golden  brown. 
2.  Eye  without  distinct  lighter  orbital  ring. 

3.  Upper  parts  and  cheeks  dark  gray.     Migrant  in  Rocky  Mountains. 

aliciae,  p.  469. 
3'.  Unper  parts  and  cheeks  light  brown.     Rocky  Mountain  region. 

salicicola,  p.  469. 

2'.  Ey.e  with  distinct  white  or  buffy  eye  ring. 
3.  Chest  marked  with  narrow  triangular  spots. 
4.  Upper  parts  olive  brown.     Pacific  coast  region. 

ustulata,  p.  470. 

4'.  Upper  parts  olive  gray.     Oregon  and  California,   cedica,  p.  470. 
3'.  Chest  marked  with  wide  triangular  spots. 
4.  Tail  rufous  in  sharp  contrast  to  back. 
5.  Tail  dark  rufous ;  length  6  to  7. 

6.  Lighter.     Breeds  mainly  north  of  United  States ;  migrates 

to  Colorado  and  Texas guttata,  p.  471. 

6'.  Darker.     Breeds  from  Washington  to  Sierra  Nevada ;  mi- 
grates to  Arizona  and  Mexico nana.  p.  472. 


THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC.       469 

5'.  Tail  light  rufous ;  length  7.50-8.25.     Rocky  Mountain  region. 

auduboni,  p.  471. 
4'.  Tail  not  sharply  contrasted  with  back. 

5.  Upper  parts  olive.     Migrant  in  Colorado  and  Texas. 

swainsoiii,  p.  470. 
5'.  Upper  parts  hair  brown.     Alaska  and  Rocky  Mountains. 

almae,  p.  471. 

755.  Hylocichla  mustelina  (Gmel).    WOOD  THRUSH. 

Adults.  —  Head  and  back  of  neck  rusty  or  golden  brown,  fading  to  olive  on 
rump  and  tail ;  under  parts  white,  marked 
with  large  blackish  wedge-shaped  spots. 
Young  :  like  adults,  but  feathers  of  crown 
streaked  with  buff  ;  wing  coverts  tipped 
with  rusty  yellow  triangular  spots ;  breast 
washed  with  brownish  yellow.  Length :  s' 

7.50-8.25,  wing  4.10-4.50,  tail  3.00-3.30,  exposed  culmen  .G2-.75. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  the  Upper  Sonoran  and  Transition  zones  of  the 
eastern  central  United  States  west  to  western  Kansas ;  migrates  to  Cuba 
and  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  Usually  saddled  on  a  horizontal  branch  of  a  small  tree,  very 
compact,  composed  partly  of  mud.  Eggs :  2  to  5,  plain  greenish  blue. 

Food.  —  Partly  ants,  beetles,  millipeds,  and  berries. 

756a.    Hylocichla  fuscescens  salicicola  Eidgw.     WILLOW 
THRUSH. 

Upper  parts  uniform  olive  brown,  chest  pale  huffy,  marked  with  triangular 
brown  spots ;  median  under  parts  white,  sides  gray.  Length :  6.90-7.90, 
wing  3.80-4.25,  tail  2.95-3.40,  bill  .55-.60. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  from  Hudson 
Bay  and  British  Columbia  south  through  the  Rocky  Mountain  region  to 
southern  Colorado,  east  to  the  Dakotas  and  Newfoundland,  and  occa- 
sionally to  Illinois  ;  winters  south  to  southern  Brazil. 

Nest .  —  On  or  near  the  ground,  made  largely  of  leaves.  Eggs  :  4,  plain 
greenish  blue,  very  rarely  with  a  few  specks  of  brown. 

Food.  —  Caterpillars,  ants,  and  other  insects,  with  wild  berries  and 
fruit. 

lu  Montana,  Mr.  Williams  says,  salicicola  is  the  commonest  and 
most  widely  distributed  of  the  thrushes,  ranging  from  the  lower 
valleys  to  the  foothills  and  canyons,  but  keeping  near  water  in 
thickets  of  willow,  rose,  or  box  elder,  away  from  the  heavy  timber. 
Its  notes  are  the  same  as  those  of  its  eastern  representative,  the  veery, 
who  has  the  curious  bleating  call,  the  quiet  whistle  ichee-ough,  and 
the  tremulous  beautiful  song. 

757.  Hylocichla  aliciae  (Baird).     GRAY-CHEEKED  THRUSH. 

Upper  parts  grayish  olive  ;  sides  of  head  gray  ;  chest  buffy,  with  wedge- 
shaped  spots  of  brown ;  median  under  parts  white ;  sides  olive  gray. 
Length :  7.00-7.75,  wing  3.75-4.40,  tail  2.95-3.40,  bill  .45-.S8. 

Remarks.  —  In  general  coloration  the  gray-cheeked  resembles  the  olive- 
backed,  but  it  lacks  the  buffy  eye  ring  and  tawny  wash  on  sides  of  head. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  north  of  the  United  States  from  the  arctic  coast, 
Siberia,  and  Alaska,  southeast  through  Hudson  Bay  region  to  Labrador ; 


470       THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC. 

migrates  through  the  United  States  west  to  the   Rocky  Mountains  and 
south  to  Costa  Rica. 

Nest .  —  In  low  bushes  or  on.  the  ground,  bulky,  and  compact,  composed 
largely  of  mosses.  Eggs :  3  or  4,  greenish  blue,  spotted  with  rusty 
brown. 

758.  Hylocichla  ustulata  (Nutt.).    RUSSET-BACKED  THRUSH. 

Upper  parts  olive  brown,  wings  and  tail  often  browner  ;  buffy  eye  ring 
distinct ;  sides  of  head  tinged  with  tawny  ;  chest  pale  buff,  whitish  in 
summer,  marked  with  narrow  triangular  spots;  under  parts  white,  sides 
tinged  with  olive  brown.  Length:  6.90-7.60,  wing  3.60-4.00,  tail  2.80- 
3.30,  bill  .50-.60. 

Remarks,  —  The  ustulata  group  is  distinguished  by  conspicuous  buffy 
eye  ring  and  tawny  or  buffy  cheeks  ;  and  ustulata  and  its  subspecies  cedica 
and  almce  are  to  be  distinguished  from  swainsoni  by  their  brown  tails, 
that  of  swainsoni  being  olive  like  the  back. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Boreal  and  Transition  zones  of  the  Pacific  coast 
region  from  Alaska  to  California ;  winters  in  Lower  California  and  from 
Mexico  to  Guatemala. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  small  trees,  usually  near  water,  bulky  and  compact, 
made  largely  of  mosses  and  shreds  of  bark.  Eggs :  4  or  5,  light  greenish 
blue,  averaging  decidedly  paler  than  those  of  alicice,  spotted  with  rusty 
brown. 

Food.  —  Ants,  caterpillars,  weevils,  beetles,  moths,  and  other  insects, 
with  small  fruit. 

At  Gray's  Harbor,  Washington,  Mr.  Lawrence  »says,  the  russet- 
backed  thrush  is  very  common  throughout  the  river-bottoms,  and 
common  on  the  small  prairies  and  in  the  timber.  It  comes  about 
the  time  the  salmon  berry  bushes  blossom,  and  goes  when  their 
berries  are  gone. 

758a.  H.  U.  swainsoni  (Cab.).    OLIVE-BACKED  THRUSH. 

Upper  parts  uniform  olive  or  grayish  olive  ;  buffy  eye  ring  conspicuous  ; 
sides  of  head  buffy,  marked  with  darker  ;  chest  bright  buff,  marked  with 
wide  blackish  streaks;  under  parts  white,  sides  olive  brown.  Length: 
6.35-7.55,  wing  3.80-4.10,  tail  2.80-3.10,  bill  .50-.55. 

Remarks.  —  The  olive-backed  is  distinguished  from  the  rest  of  the 
ustulata  group  by  having  the  tail  of  the  same  or  nearly  the  same  color  as 
the  back,  and  by  its  darker  and  broader  chest  streaks.  It  is  also  distin- 
guished from  the  gray-cheeked  by  its  buffy  cheeks  and  buffy  eye  ring. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Canadian  zone  in  eastern  North  America ; 
migrates  to  Cuba  and  through  Colorado  and  Texas,  south  to  Guatemala 
and  South  America. 

Nest  and  eggs.  —  Like  those  of  the  russet-backed  thrush. 

Food.  —  Among  other  things,  caterpillars,  rose  hips,  and  the  fruit  of 
smilax  and  hackberry. 

758b.  H.  U.  CBdica  Oberh.    MONTEREY  THRUSH. 

Similar  to  swainsoni,  but  olive  of  upper  parts  somewhat  tinged  with 
brown,  tail  and  tail  coverts  brown,  and  sides  and  flanks  browner.  Com- 
pared with  ustulata,  ozdica  is  much  less  rufous. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  from  the  interior  of  southern  Oregon  south 
through  California,  except  along  the  northern  coast ;  winters  in  Arizona 
and  Mexico. 


THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC.       471 

758c.  H.  U.  almse  Oberh.    ALMA  THRUSH. 

Similar  to  swainsoni,  but  grayer,  especially  on  rump  and  upper  tail  cov- 
erts ;  the  upper  parts  hair  brown,  only  lightly  tinged  with  green  instead 
of  being  clear  olive,  and  the  tail  partly  clear  brown  and  partly  uniform 
with  back. 

Distribution.  —  Yukon  Basin  south  to  the  Rocky  Mountain  region  of  the 
United  States,  west  to  Utah  and  eastern  Nevada ;  in  winter  south  to  Mex- 
ico. 

759.  Hylocichla  guttata  (Pallas).    ALASKA  HERMIT  THRUSH.! 

Upper  parts  dark  grayish  brown,  more  olive  in  winter,  tail  deep  rufous  ; 
chest  thickly  marked  with  broad,  wedge-shaped  spots.  Length :  6-7,  wing 
3.25-3.80,  tail  2.60-3.00,  bill  .45-.52. 

Remarks.  —  The  Alaska  hermit  thrush  can  be  distinguished  from  the 
Audubon  hermit  by  its  smaller  size  and  darker  coloration. 

Distribution.  —  Northwest  coast  region  from  Alaska  to  southern  British 
Columbia,  and  southward  in  winter. 

Nest.  —  On  ground  in  damp  or  swampy  woods,  composed  largely  of  dead 
leaves  and  dried  grasses.  Eggs :  4  or  5,  plain  greenish  blue,  paler  than 
in  the  wood  and  willow  thrushes. 

Food.  —  Flies,  weevils,  ants,  caterpillars,  moths,  pepper  berries,  and 
small  fruits. 

The  hermit  thrushes  have  a  marked  habit  of  raising  and  lowering 
their  reddish  tails,  and  their  call-note  is  a  single  chuck.  As  a  group 
their  songs  rank  as  the  best  of  the  rare  thrush  songs. 

759a.   H.  g.  auduboni  (Baird).    AUDUBON  HERMIT  THRUSH. 

Similar  to  guttata,  but  larger,  and  upper  parts  lighter,  grayer,  with  rufous 
of  tail  much  lighter  (fulvous).  Length:  7.50-8.25,  wing  3.65-4.35,  tail 
2.95-3.45,  bill  .53-.60. 

Distribution.  — Rocky  Mountain  region,  from  near  the  northern  border 
of  the  United  States  south  to  Guatemala ;  east  to  Texas  and  west  to  the 
mountains  of  Arizona  and  southern  Sierra  Nevada  in  California. 

Nest.  —  In  bushes  or  low  trees,  3  to  10  feet  from  the  ground ;  partly 
made  with  moss. 

Food.  —  Flies,  ants,  weevils,  and  other  insects  and  berries. 

As  you  travel  through  the  spire-pointed  fir  forests  of  the  western 
mountains,  you  know  the  thrush  as  a  voice,  a  bell-like  sublimated 
voice,  which,  like  the  tolling  of  the  Angelus,  arrests  toil  and  earthly 
thought.  Its  phrases  can  be  expressed  in  the  words  Mr.  Burroughs 
has  given  to  the  eastern  hermit,  '  Oh,  spheral,  spheral!  oh,  holy, 
holy  !'  and  the  first  strain  arouses  emotions  which  the  regularly  fall- 
ing cadences  carry  to  a  perfect  close.  The  fine  spirituality  of  the 
song,  its  serene  uplifting  quality,  make  it  fittingly  associated  with 
nature's  most  exalted  moods,  and  it  is  generally  heard  in  the  solemn 
stillness  of  sunrise,  when  the  dark  fir  forest  is  tipped  with  gold,  or 

1  Hylocichla  guttata  slevini  Grinnell.    MONTEREY  HERMIT  THRUSH. 

A  pale  ashy  form  ;  upper  parts  hair  brown  ;  upper  tail  coverts  and  tail  Isabella  color  ; 
spots  on  breast  few  and  small. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  humid  coast  belt  of  California  from  southern  Monterey 
County  to  Sonoma  County.  (The  Auk,  xviii.  259.) 


472       THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC. 

in  the  hush  of  sunset,  when  the  western  sky  is  aglow  and  the  deep 
voice  rises  from  its  chantry  in  slow,  soul-stirring  cadences,  high-up- 
high-up,  look-up,  look-up. 

75 9c.  H.  g.  nana  (And.).     DWARF  HERMIT  THRUSH. 

Like  guttata,  but  color  darker  and  richer ;  upper  parts  brownish  oliva- 
ceous, tending  toward  raw  umber  ;  top  of  head  and  rump  browner  than 
back  ;  upper  tail  coverts  and  tail  burnt  umber ;  under  parts  more  buffy 
than  in  guttata.  Wing:  3.25,  tail  2.75,  bill  .50,  tarsus  1.12. 

Distribution.  —  Pacific  coast  region,  from  Washington  southward,  breed- 
ing south  to  Sierra  Nevada  region ;  east  in  migrations  to  Nevada  and  Ari- 
zona, and  south  to  Lower  California  and  western  Mexico. 

GENUS    MERULA. 

General    Characters.  —   Bill    slender    and    compressed, 
"O"7"     notched  near  end  ;  nostrils  wholly  exposed  ;  tail  more  than 
three   times  as   long   as   tarsus ;    under   parts   spotted   in 
Fig.  599.         young. 

KEY   TO   SPECIES. 

1.  Outer  tail  feather  with  distinct  white  spot  at  tip  of  inner  web ;  colors 

darker migratoria,  p.  472. 

1'.  Outer  tail  feather  without  distinct  white  tip  to  inner  web  ;  colors  paler. 

propinqua,  p.  472. 

761.  Merula  migratoria  (Linn.}.    ROBIN. 

Like  M.  m.  propinqua,  but  outer  tail  feather  with  a  distinct  white  spot 

at  tip  of  inner  web  ; 
anterior  portion  of 
back  usually  some- 
what clouded  with 
black  in  fully  adult 
birds.  Length :  9-10, 
wing  4.90-5.40,  tail 
4.10-4.50,bill.S5-.92. 
Di  stribution.  — 
Breeds  from  Alaska 
and  the  arctic  coasts 
southeast  through 
Hudson  Bay  region 
and  the  Rocky  Moun- 

From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture.  tajng  to    Kansas,  Vir- 

Fig.  600.  ginia,  and  the  Atlan- 

tic coast ;  winters  from  southern  Canada  southward. 

Nest  and  eggs.  —  Like  those  of  M.  m.  propinqua. 

Food.  —  Crickets,  grasshoppers,  and  other  noxious  insects,  seeds,  wild 
fruit,  and  berries. 

76 la.  M.  m.  propinqua  Eidgw.    WESTERN  ROBIN. 
Adults.  —  Head,   wings,  and  tail  blackish  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  slaty 


THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC.       473 

gray,  black  of  hind  neck  sharply  contrasting  with  gray  of  anterior  part  of 
back  ;  outer  tail  feather  without  distinct  white  tip,  often  with  no  white ; 
throat  black,  streaked  with  white  ;  rest  of  under  pa'rts,  except  tail  coverts, 
rufous ;  in  female  paler  and  duller.  In  winter :  upper  parts  tinged  with 
brown  ;  under  parts  with  feathers  edged  with  white.  Young :  under  parts 
spotted  ;  upper  parts  streaked  with  white.  Young  in  first  winter  :  head 
and  neck  brownish  gray,  like  upper  parts ;  rufous  of  breast  paler,  more 
olivaceous.  Length:  10-11,  wing  5.20-5.70,  tail  3.80-4.70,  bill  .8S-.95. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  and  Boreal  zones  in  the  western 
United  States  from  the  eastern  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the 
Pacific,  and  from  British  Columbia  south  to  Lower  California  and  Oaxaca, 
Mexico. 

Nest.  —  On  prairies,  on  the  ground,  and,  in  timber,  near  the  ground ; 
compact  and  bulky,  made  of  leaves,  stems,  twigs,  and  grasses,  plastered 
together  with  mud,  and  lined  with  fine  stems  and  rootlets.  Eggs  :  usually 
4,  greenish  blue. 

Food.  —  Largely  ants,  caterpillars,  grasshoppers,  and  the  injurious  large 
black  crickets ;  also  hackberry,  mistletoe  and  pepper  berries,  and  other 
small  fruit. 

In  the  east  the  robin  is  the  familiar  bird  of  the  dooryard,  like  the 
mockingbird  of  the  south,  or  the  brown  chippie,  the  house  finch,  and 
the  lark  sparrow  in  parts  of  California.  But  in  the  west  he  nests  in 
the  mountains  or  far  north,  and  when  seen  in  winter  is  shy  and 
nervous.  Flocks  are  sometimes  seen  eating  ivy  berries  in  the  ceme- 
teries of  San  Francisco,  but  are  so  timid  they  hide  in  the  brush  in 
great  trepidation  on  the  approach  of  man. 

The  robin  song,  one  of  the  most  familiar  and  best  loved  of  the 
east,  is  not  often  heard,  but  in  southern  California  during  the  spring 
migration  I  have  seen  flocks  of  twenty  birds  in  an  oak  top  singing 
their  soft  evening  song,  and  at  Stanford  I  once  heard  a  wonderful 
robin  chorus  equal  to  the  best  daybreak  chorus  one  hears  in  the 
east. 

In  the  Sierra  as  in  the  mountains  of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona,  in 
both  Transition  and  Canadian  zones,  the  robins  breed  abundantly, 
and  as  you  pass  are  seen  shaking  their  tails  as  they  chirrup  in  their 
old  familiar  way.  In  the  neighborhood  of  Lake  Tahoe  we  found 
large  numbers  of  them  gathered  in  a  field  alive  with  grasshoppers, 
and  they  were  running  about  in  all  directions,  tipping  forward  to 
catch  the  insects  in  characteristic  manner. 

GENUS   IXOREUS. 
General  Characters.  —  Like  Merula,  but  bill  not  notched. 

KEY   TO    FEMALES. 

1.  Browner,  with  white  markings  restricted      Sitkan  district. 

naevius,  p.  473. 
1'.  Grayer,  white  markings  more  extensive.     Interior  Alaska. 

meruloides,  p.  474. 


474       THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC. 

763.  Ixoreus  nsevius  (Gmel.).     VARIED  THRUSH. 

Adult  male.  —  Under  parts  bright  rusty  brown,  throat  crossed  by  blackish 
necklace ;  belly  mixed  white  and  gray ;  upper  parts  dark  bluish  slate, 
feathers  edged  with  lighter ;  wings  banded  and  edged  with  brown ;  side 
of  head  black,  bordered  above  by  brown  streak.  Adult  female :  similar, 
but  much  duller ;  upper  parts  washed  with  brown  —  deeper  in  winter  — 
and  collar  obscured  by  brown  feathers.  Young  :  like  female,  but  duller  ; 
collar  less  distinct,  and  more  or  less  spotted  with  yellowish  brown ;  feath- 
ers of  breast  edged  with  dusky  and  those  of  upper  parts  with*  distinct 
paler  shaft  streaks.  Length:  9-10,  wing  4.90-5.20,  tail  about  3.60-3.80, 
bill  about  1. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Boreal  zone  along  the  Pacific  coast  from  Ber- 
ing Strait  to  Humboldt  County,  Gal. ;  winters  from  Washington  to  Lower 
California. 

Nest.  —  Compact  and  bulky,  in  bushes  and  small  trees.  Eggs  :  4,  pale 
greenish  blue,  sparingly  speckled  with  brown, 

Food.  —  Caterpillars,  weevils,  ants,  millipeds,  mast,  and  wild  berries. 

The  varied  thrushes  reach  California  in  November,  and  flocks  of 
the  splendid  beauties,  with  orange  breast  and  dark  necklace,  may  be 
seen  in  winter  in  the  arboretum  at  Stanford  and  other  places  where 
California  holly  berries  are  to  be  found.  The  birds  are  also  es- 
pecially fond  of  manzanita  berries.  In  Placer  County,  Mr.  Wil- 
liams says,  they  live  on  insect  food  in  winter,  and  are  extremely  shy, 
rarely  leaving  the  dark,  heavily  wooded  canyons  or  hillsides.  In 
Oregon,  Mr.  Anthony  tells  us  they  are  timid  on  their  first  arrival, 
but  grow  tame  enough  to  visit  the  ranches.  They  leave  California 
in  March,  and  at  that  time  Dr.  Mearns  found  them  abundant  and 
tame  at  Fort  Klamath,  coming  about  the  houses  fearlessly  in  great 
numbers. 

Mr.  Fuertes,  in  describing  the  song  of  the  varied  thrush  as  he 
heard  it  in  Alaska,  says  that  it  is  "most  unique  and  mysterious,  and 
may  be  heard  in  the  deep  still  spruce  forests  for  a  great  distance, 
being  very  loud  and  wonderfully  penetrating.  It  is  a  single  long- 
drawn  note,  uttered  in  several  different  keys,  some  of  the  high- 
pitched  ones  with  a  strong  vibrant  trill.  Each  note  grows  out  of 
nothing,  swells  to  a  full  tone,  and  then  fades  away  to  nothing  until 
one  is  carried  away  with  the  mysterious  song.  When  heard  near 
by,  as  is  seldom  possible,  the  pure  yet  resonant  quality  of  the  note 
makes  one  thrill  with  a  strange  feeling,  and  is  as  perfectly  the  voice 
of  the  cool,  dark,  peaceful  solitude  which  the  bird  chooses  for  its 
home  as  could  be  imagined.  The  hermit  thrush  himself  is  no  more 
serene  than  this  wild  dweller  in  the  western  spruce  forests." 

763a.  I.  n.  meruloides  (Swains.).    PALE  VARIED  THRUSH. 

Adult  female.  —  Similar  to  female  ncevius,  but  grayer  and  paler,  white 
markings  more  extended,  wing  longer,  more  pointed. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  interior  of  northern  Alaska ;  migrates  to  south- 
ern California. 


VARIED  THRUSH 


THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC.       475 
GENUS   SAXICOLA. 

765.  Saxicola  oenanthe  (Linn.).    WHEATEAR. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  ash  gray ;  wings  and  terminal  third  of  tail 
black ;  basal  two  thirds  of  tail,  except  middle  feathers,  white  ;  forehead, 
superciliary,  and  upper  tail  coverts,  white  ;  side  of  head  with  black  stripe  ; 
under  parts  buffy  anteriorly,  white  posteriorly.  Adult  female  :  duller, 
black  replaced  by  dusky.  Winter  plumage :  upper  parts  brown ;  white  on 
tail  as  in  summer ;  wings  with  lighter  edgings ;  under  parts  rusty  buff  ; 
side  of  head  without  distinct  streak.  Young :  like  female,  but  feathers 
with  dark  bars  and  pale  centers  at  tip.  Male :  wing  3.58-3.98.  Female  : 
wing  3.54-3.90. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Alaska ;  migrates  to  Asia ;  accidental  in  Col- 
orado. 

Nest.  —  Among  rocks  and  stone  walls,  made  of  grasses,  lined  with  feath- 
ers. Eggs  :  3  to  6,  pale  greenish  blue. 

A  specimen  of  the  wheatear  was  taken  at  Boulder,  Colorado,  by 

Minot,  in  1880. 

GENUS    SIALIA. 

General  Characters.  —  Bill  not  more  than  half  as  long  as  head,  notched 
near  tip  ;  feet  short  and  stout ;  tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe ;  side 
toes  unequal ;  claws  strongly  curved. 

KEY    TO    ADULT    MALES. 

1.  Under  parts  without  blue. 

2.  Sides  of  neck  blue.     Rocky  Mountains  to  Atlantic     .    sialis,  p.  475. 
2'.  Sides  of  neck  brown.     Southern  Arizona  ....      azurea,  p.  476. 
1'.  Under  parts  with  blue. 

2.  Under  parts  wholly  blue  and  white arctica,  p.  476. 

2'.  Under  parts  blue  and  brown. 

3.  Back  wholly  chestnut bairdi,  p.  476. 

3'.  Back  blue  in  middle,  chestnut  on  sides      .    OCCidentalis,  p.  476. 

766.  Sialia  sialis  (Linn.).     BLUEBIRD. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  bright  blue  ;  under  parts  reddish  brown, 
fading  to  white  on  belly.  In  winter ', 
feathers  of  back  bordered  with  brown. 
Adult  female :  upper  parts  gray,  deep- 
ening to  blue  on  rump,  wings,  and 
tail ;  under  parts  dull  brown,  becom- 
ing whitish  on  belly.  Young :  upper 
parts  dark  gray,  streaked  with  white  ; 
under  parts  gray,  spotted  with  white. 
Male:  length  5.70-7.00,  wing,  3.90- 
4.15,  tail  2.60-2.90,  bill  .62-.67.  Fe- 
male: wing  3.80-3.90,  tail  2.50-2.60. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition 
and  Upper  Sonoran  zones  from  Mani- 
toba   and    Ontario    south   to    Gulf    of        From  Biological  Survey,  U.  S.Dept.  of 
Mexico,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Agriculture. 

Rocky  Mountains  ;  winters  from  the  ^fif-  601- 

middle  states  to  the  Gulf  states  and  Cuba. 


476       THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC. 

Nest.  —  In  holes  in  trees,  stumps,  posts,  or  bird-boxes ;  made  largely  of 
dried  grasses.  Eggs :  4  to  7,  plain  pale  greenish  blue. 

Food.  —  Largely  caterpillars,  grasshoppers,  and  crickets ;  also  wild  ber- 
ries, like  hackberry  and  woodbine. 

The  eastern  bluebird  ranges  west  to  the  base  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, being  a  rare  summer  resident  in  Colorado. 

766a.  S.  S.  azurea  Baird.    AZURE  BLUEBIRD. 

Similar  to  sialis,  but  sides  of  neck  brown,  and  under  parts  less  ruddy 
brown  ;  upper  parts  sometimes  greenish  blue,  suggesting  arctica.  Length  : 
6.40-7.10.  Male:  wing  4.05-4.20,  tail  2.70-2.95,  bill  .47-.50.  Female: 
wing  3.90,  tail  2.55. 

Distribution.  —  Southern  Arizona  and  Mexico. 

767.  Sialia  mexicana  occidentalis  (Towns.).   WESTERN  BLUE- 

BIRD. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  dark  purplish  blue  and  chestnut ;  throat  pur- 
plish blue;  breast  dark  rufous;  rest  of  under  parts  mixed  brown,  dull 
purplish  and  gray.  Adult  female :  head,  neck,  and  upper  parts  gray,  washed 
with  brown  on  back;  rump  and  tail  bright  blue;  outside  tail  feathers 
edged  with  white.  Young :  like  young  of  sialis,  but  bill  slenderer.  Male  : 
length  6.50-7.12,  wing  3.95-4.45,  tail  2.62-3.05,  bill  .45-.50.  Female: 
wing  about  4,  tail  2.50. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  in  Transition  zone  of  the  Pacific  coast,  from  Brit- 
ish Columbia  to  Calif oraia.  and  east  to  western  Nevada  and  Idaho ;  casu- 
ally during  migrations  to  New  Mexico. 

Nest.  —  In  woodpecker  hole  high  in  a  pine  or  other  tree  and  also  in 
bird -houses.  Eggs:  (1  set)  6,  pale  blue. 

Food.  —  Largely  caterpillars ;  also  crickets,  weevils,  ants,  moths,  locusts, 
and  grapes  in  winter  months  when  insect  food  is  less  abundant. 

The  western  bluebird'is  often  seen  on  roadside  fences  from  which 
it  flies  down  to  pick  up  insects.  In  the  pine  woods  it  sits  close  to  the 
tree  trunks  on  short  broken-off  branches.  It  has  the  soft  warble  of 
its  kind,  and  the  delicate  bluebird  way  of  lifting  the  wings  while 
perching. 

76 7a.  S.  m.  foairdi  Ridgw.    CHESTNUT-BACKED  BLUEBIRD. 

Similar  to  occidentalis,  but  back  wholly  chestnut. 

Distribution.  —  Transition  and  Canadian  zones  of  the  Rocky  Mountain 
district,  south  to  Arizona,  Texas,  and  northwestern  Mexico. 

Food.  —  Partly  grasshoppers,  weevils,  crickets,  and  sumac  berries. 

The  chestnut-backed  bluebird  extends  east  as  far  as  Pueblo,  Colo- 
rado, during  migration,  and  breeds  from  the  base  of  the  foothills 
up  to  9500  feet. 

768.  Sialia  arctica  Swains.     MOUNTAIN  BLUEBIRD. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  light  purplish  blue  or  greenish  blue  ;  under 
parts  pale  greenish  blue.  In  winter  color  dulled  by  dull  brownish  tips  to 
feathers  above  and  below.  Adult  female :  upper  parts  brownish  gray,  wings 
and  tail  bright  blue ;  under  parts  fawn  color,  with  blue  showing  through. 


THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC.       477 

Young:  brownish  or  grayish,  streaked  with  white;  wings  and  tail  blue. 
Male :  length  6.50-7.90,  wing  4.60-4.80,  tail  3.00-3.15.  Female :  length 
7.00-7.20,  wing  about  4.25,  tail  2.75-2.90. 

Distribution.  —  Breeds  mainly  in  Boreal  zone,  chiefly  in  the  interior 
from  Great  Slave  Lake  south  to  New  Mexico,  and  from  the  western  part 
of  the  Plains  to  the  Pacific. 

Nest.  —  In  old  woodpecker  hole  ;  among  rocks  or  about  houses.  Eggs  : 
5  to  7,  pale  greenish  blue. 

Food.  —  Largely  crickets,  also  cicadas,  grasshoppers,  ants,  weevils,  and, 
in  winter,  unpicked  grapes  and  seeds  of  mistletoe  and  hackberry. 

The  exquisite  coloring  of  the  arctic  bluebird  makes  it  seem  the 
gentlest,  most  beautiful  of  all  the  lovely  bluebirds. 

In  the  Sierra  Nevada  in  August,  families  of  young  are  common 
in  the  Murray  pine  meadows.  The  birds  hunt  largely  in  the  open, 
and  are  in  the  habit  of  hovering  a  few  feet  from  the  ground  as  they 
look  about  for  insects.  In  Colorado,  Prof.  Cooke  says,  the  birds 
wander  up  above  timberline  to  at  least  13,000  feet. 


APPENDIX. 


FOR  the  use  of  beginners  who  do  not  collect  and  have  not  access  to 
collections  of  skins,  and  who  may  consequently  find  the  technical  keys 
difficult,  the  following1  color  key  has  been  made  to  the  more  conspicuous 
birds  one  meets  in  the  field.  Its  use  by  any  one  who  has  skins  to  consult 
is  earnestly  deprecated,  as  it  is  much  better  to  work  a  little  harder  and 
learn  more  —  to  begin  at  the  beginning,  with  '  Keys  to  Orders,'  and  follow 
through  to  the  species,  so  learning  something  of  the  classification  of  birds, 
something  of  their  fundamental  relations,  rather  than  to  find  their  mere 
names  arbitrarily  by  the  use  of  purely  superficial  characters. 

FIELD  COLOR  KEY  TO  GENERA  OF  SOME  OF  THE 
COMMON  PASSERINE  BIRDS. 

(All  birds  preceding  the  Order  Passeres  are  omitted,  including  all  the 
water  birds,  grouse,  quail,  turkeys,  doves,  hawks,  owls,  cuckoos,  kingfish- 
ers, woodpeckers,  goatsuckers,  swifts,  and  hummingbirds.) 

ADULT  MALES  IN  BREEDING  PLUMAGE. 

BIRDS   WITH   PLUMAGE   PARTLY   OR    WHOLLY 

I.   BLACK.  IV.   BLUE. 

II.   YELLOW.  V.    GREEN. 

III.   RED.  VI.   BROWN  OR  GRAY. 

I.   BIRDS   WITH  BLACK  IN  PLUMAGE. 

1.  Plumage  mainly  or  wholly  black. 

2.  Wholly  black  (with  more  or  less  gloss). 

3.  Length  about  16-26    .    CROWS  AND  RAVENS  ;  see  Coryus,  p.  279. 
3'.  Length  about  8.20-13.50. 

4.  Tail  even,  not  folded  laterally. 

BREWER  AND  RUSTY  BLACKBIRDS  ;  see  Scolecophagus,  p.  299. 
4'.  Tail  graduated,  folded  laterally. 

GRACKLES  ;  see  Quiscalus,  p.  301. 
2'.  Mainly  black. 

3.  Under  parts  largely  white. 


480  APPENDIX 

4.  Wings  and  tail  metallic     .     ...     MAGPIES  ;  see  Pica,  p.  269. 
4'.  Wings  and  tail  not  metallic. 

5.  Sides  brown     .     .     .      (part  of)  TOWHEES  ;  see  Pipilo,  p.  363. 
5'.  Sides  not  brown. 

6.  Sides  pinkish  or  buffy  .  (part  of)  JUNCOS  ;  see  Junco,  p.  345. 
6'.  Sides  white  like  belly. 

BLACK  PHCEBES  ;  see  Sayornis,  p.  254. 
3'.  Under  parts  not  white. 

4.  Head  yellow  or  brown,  in  contrast  to  black  body. 

5.  Head  yellow     .     .     .     YELLOW-HEADED  BLACKBIRD,  p.  288. 

5'.  Head  brown COWBIKDS  ;  see  Molothrus,  p.  287. 

4'.  Head  partly  or  wholly  black  like  body. 

5.  Back  of  head  whitish  or  buffy  brown    .     .   BOBOLINK,  p.  286. 
5'.  Head  wholly  black. 

6.  Wings  conspicuously  marked  with  red.- 

RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRDS  ;  see  Agelaius,  p.  289. 
6'.  Wings  conspicuously  marked  with  white. 

7.  Crested  ;  white  patch  on  quills     .    PHAINOPEPLA,  p.  390. 
7'.  Not  crested  ;  white  patch  on  coverts. 

LARK  BUNTING,  p.  377. 
„  Plumage  not  mainly  or  wholly  black. 
2.  Under  parts  partly  or  wholly  yellow. 

3.  Head  and  neck  red LOUISIANA  TANAGER,  p.  379. 

3'.  Head  and  neck  not  red. 

4.  Back  streaked  on  brownish  or  grayish. 
5.  Chest  with  black  patch  or  crescent. 

6.  Under  parts  deep  yellow,  except  for  black  crescent. 

MEADOWLARKS  ;  see  Sturnella,  p.  292. 
6'.  Under  parts  mainly  or  partly  white. 

7.  Under  parts  white  or  pale  yellow,  except  for  black  chest 
patch  ;  wings  without  brown  patch. 

HORNED  LARKS,  see  Otocoris,  p.  266. 
7'.  Breast  bright  yellow  ;    throat  patch   black ;  wings  with 

brown  patches DICKCISSEL,  p.  377. 

5'.  Chest  without  black  crescent,  under  parts  black,  white,  and 

yellow- AUDUBON  WARBLER,  p.  413. 

4'.  Back  not  streaked  on  brownish  or  grayish. 
5.  Head  and  breast  gray  ;  tail  black. 

ARKANSAS   AND   CASSIN   KINGBIRDS  ;    see   Tyrannus,    pp. 

•248,  249. 

5'.  Head  and  breast  not  gray ;  tail  not  always  black. 
6.  Plumage  largely  black  and  brown. 

BLACK-HEADED  GROSBEAK,  p.  372. 

6'.  Plumage  almost  wholly  black  and  yellow  or  olive  green. 
7.  Wholly  yellow  or  olive  green,  except  for  black  on  head. 
8.  Head  with  black  cap  .  PILEOLATED  WARBLER,  p.  428. 
8'.  Head  with  black  patch  on  sides  of  face. 

YELLOW-THROATS  ;  see  Geothlypis.  p.  424. 
7'.  Wings  and  tail,  if  not  back,  as  well  as  crown,  black. 
8.  Length  about  4.50-5.40. 

GOLDFINCHES  ;  see  Astragalinus,  p.  319. 
8'.  Length  about  6.50-10.00. 

9.  Bill  long  and  slender    .  ORIOLES  ;  see  Icterus,  p.  293. 
9'.  Bill  short  and  thick. 

WESTERN  EVENING  GROSBEAK,  p.  307. 


APPENDIX  481 

2'.  Under  parts  without  yellow. 
3.  Upper  parts  brown,  streaked. 

4.  Crown  striped  black  and  white  ;  under  parts  gray  or  white. 

CROWN  SPARROWS  ;  see  Zonotrichia,  p.  337. 
4  .  Crown  black  ;  chest  black. 

LAPLAND  LONGSPUR  ;  see  Calcarius,  p.  325. 
3'.  Upper  parts  not  brown  streaked. 
4.  Throat  with  black  patch. 
5.  Back  streaked  with  black. 

BLACK-THROATED  GRAY  WARBLER,  p.  418. 
5'.  Back  not  streaked. 

6.  Black  of  throat  extending  over  chest. 

BLACK-THROATED  SPARROWS  ;  see  Amphispiza,  p.  350. 
6'.  Black  of  throat  not  extending  over  chest. 

CHICKADEES  ;  see  Parus,  p.  455. 
4'.  Throat  without  black  patch. 

5.  Tail  forked,  plumage  marked  with  salmon  or  red. 

SCISSOR-TAILED   FLYCATCHER,   p.  246. 

5'.  Tail  not  forked,  plumage  not  marked  with  salmon  or  red. 
6.  Back  blue  black  or  bluish  gray  ;  length  4-6. 
7.  Back  blue  black  ;  throat  chestnut. 

CLIFF  SWALLOW,  p.  384. 
7'.  Back  bluish  gray. 

8.  Tail  extremely  short   .  NUTHATCHES  ;  see  Sitta,  p.  453. 
8'.  Tail  long    .     .    GNATCATCHERS  ;  see  Polioptila,  p.  465. 
6'.  Back  gray,  brownish  gray,  or  ash  gray  ;  length  8—13. 
7.  Tail  mainly  black  or  white  ;   back  of  head  gray. 
8.  Tail  mainly  white  ;  length  about  12-13. 

NUTCRACKER,  p.  282. 
8'.  Tail  mainly  or  wholly  black  ;  length  about  7.50-10.75. 

9.  'Belly  brown SAY  PHCEBE,  p.  255. 

9  .  Belly  gray  or  white    .     SHRIKES  ;  see  Lanius,  p.  391. 
7'.  Tail  mainly  gray  ;  back  of  head  black. 

OREGON  AND  ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  JAYS  ;  see  Perisoreus, 
p.  277. 

II.    BIRDS  WITH  YELLOW   IN   PLUMAGE. 

1.  Under  parts  mainly  or  wholly  yellow. 

2.  Upper  parts  streaked     .  •  .     .  MEADOWLARKS  ;  see  Sturnella,  p.  292. 
2'.  Upper  parts  not  streaked. 

3.  Plumage  yellow  and  green,  without  gray  or  black. 

YELLOW  WARBLERS  ;  see  Dendroica,  p.  407. 
3'.  Plumage  with  gray  or  black. 
4.  Length  about  6.50-10.50. 

5.  Head  and  neck  red,  yellow,  black,  or  yellow  and  black. 

6.  Head  and  neck  red    ....  LOUISIANA  TANAGER,  p.  379. 
6'.  Head  and  neck  black,  or  yellow  and  black. 
7.  Upper  parts  olive  green,  lores  black. 

LONG-TAILED  CHAT,  p.  426- 
7'.  Upper  parts  black  and  yellow. 

ORIOLES  ;  see  Icterus,  p.  293. 
5'.  Head  and  neck  gray. 

6.  Wings  and  tail  marked  with  rufous. 

CRESTED  FLYCATCHERS  ;  see  Myiarchus,  p.  251. 


482  APPENDIX 

6'  Wings  and  tail  not  marked  with  rufous. 
CASSIN  AND  ARKANSAS  KINGBIRDS  ;  see  Tyrannus.  pp.  248, 249. 
4'.  Length  about  4.00-5.40. 
5.  Wings  and  tail  black. 

GOLDFINCHES  ;  see  Astragalinus,  p.  319. 
5'.  Wings  and  tail  green. 

6.  Crown  black PILEOLATED  WARBLER,  p.  428. 

6'.  Patches  on  sides  of  face  black. 

YELLOW-THROATS  ;  see  Geothlypis,  p.  424. 
1'.  Under  parts  not  mainly  or  wholly  yellow. 
2.  Upper  parts  largely  black. 

3.  Head  and  neck  yellow  ;  under  parts  black  and  yellow. 

YELLOW-HEADED  BLACKBIRD,  p.  288. 
3'.  Head  and  neck  black  ;  under  parts  brown  and  yellow. 

BLACK-HEADED  GROSBEAK,  p.  372. 
2'.  Upper  parts  not  largely,  if  at  all,  black. 
3.  Head  and  neck  yellow  or  slate  gray. 

4.  Head  and  neck  yellow ;  wings  with  chestnut  patches. 

VERDIN,  p.  462. 
4'.  Head  and  neck  slate  gray  ;  wings  without  chestnut. 

MACGILLIVRAY  WARBLER,  p.  424. 
3'.  Head  and  neck  not  yellow  or  slate  gray. 

4.  Head  with  black,  yellow,  and  red  crown  patch. 

GOLDEN-CROWNED  KINGLETS,  p.  463. 
4'.  Head  without  crown  patch. 

5.  Head  with   black   horn-like  appendages,  throat   yellow,  tail 
black,  edged  with  white. 

(part  of)  HORNED  LARKS  ;  see  Otocoris,  p.  266. 
5'.  Head  without  horn-like  appendages ;  throat  not  yellow  ;  tail 
with  yellow  terminal  band. 

WAXWINGS  ;  see  Ampelis,  p.  387. 

III.    BIRDS   WITH  RED   OR  PINK  IN  PLUMAGE. 

1 .  Under  parts  mainly  or  wholly  red  or  pink. 
2.  Upper  parts  largely  reddish  or  pinkish. 

3.  Bill  crossed CROSSBILLS;  see  Loxia,  p.  313. 

3'.  Bill  not  crossed. 

4.  Head  crested CARDINALS  ;  see  Cardinalis,  p.  369. 

4'.  Head  not  crested. 
5.  Bill  thick  and  short. 
6.  Length  about  5.50-7.00. 

PURPLE  FINCHES  ;  see  Carpodacus,  p.  309. 
6'.  Length  about  8-9. 

PINE  GROSBEAKS  ;  see  Pinicola,  p.  308. 

5'.  Bill  not  short  and  thick      .     TANAGERS  ;  see  Piranga,  p.  379. 
2'.  Upper  parts  not  largely  reddish  or  pinkish. 

3.  Head  purplish  blue NONPAREIL,  p.  376. 

3'.  Head  red VERMILION  FLYCATCHER,  p.  264. 

1'.  Under  parts  not  mainly  red  or  pink. 
2.  Plumage  strikingly  colored. 

3.  Plumage  salmon  or  pink,  black,  and  white. 

4.  Tail  forked SCISSOR-TAILED  FLYCATCHER,  p.  246. 

4'.  Tail  not  forked. 

5.  Under  parts  white,  with  rose  patch. 

ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK,  p.  372. 


APPENDIX  483 

5'.  Under  parts  black,  white,  and  salmon  or  red. 

REDSTART,  p.  429. 

3'.  Plumage  black  or  brown,  marked  with  red  or  rose  color. 
4.  Body  black,  with  red  wing  coverts. 

RED- WINGED  BLACKBIRDS  ;  see  Agelaius,  p.  289. 
4'.  Body  brownish,  with  rose  on  under  parts. 

PYRRHULOXIAS  ;  see  Pyrrhuloxia,  p.  370. 
2'.  Plumage  not  strikingly  colored. 
3.  Crown  with  red,  yellow,  and  black. 

GOLDEN-CROWNED  KINGLET,  p.  463. 
3'.  Crown  with  concealed  red  patch. 

4.  Rest  of  plumage  wholly  black,  slate  gray,  and  white. 

KINGBIRD,  p.  247. 
4'.  Rest  of  plumage  not  wholly  black  and  white. 

5.  Upper  parts  olive  green ;   under  parts  dull  whitish. 

KINGLETS  ;  see  Regulus,  p.  463. 
5'.  Upper  parts  grayish  ;  under  parts  gray  and  yellow. 

ARKANSAS  AND  CASSIN  FLYCATCHERS  ;  see  Tyrannus, 
p.  247. 

IV.  BIRDS   WITH   BLUE  IN  PLUMAGE. 

1.  Upper  parts  glossy  steel  blue. 

2.  Tail  forked  for  about  half  its  length    .     .     BARN  SWALLOW,  p.  384. 
2'.  Tail  forked  for  much  less  than  half  its  length. 

PURPLE  MARTINS  ;  see  Progne,  p.  383. 
1'.  Upper  parts  not  glossy  steel  blue. 
2.  Length  about  11.00-13.75. 

3.  Crested STELLER  JAYS  ;  see  Cyanocitta,  p.  271. 

3 '.Not  crested. 

4.  Plumage  blue  and  gray  or  white. 

CALIFORNIA  AND  WOODHOUSE  JAYS  ;  see  Aphelocoma,  p.  274. 
4'.  Plumage  uniform  grayish  blue      ....      PINON  JAY,  p.  284. 
2'.  Length  about  4.25-8.00. 

3.  Bill  long  and  slender      ....     BLUEBIRDS  ;  see  Sialia,  p.  475. 
3'.  Bill  short  and  thick. 

4.  Under  parts  red  or  partly  brownish. 

5.  Under  parts  bright  red,  head  purplish  blue,  back  green. 

NONPAREIL,  p.  376. 
5'.  Under  parts  blue,  white,  and  brown,  head  and  back  blue. 

LAZULI  BUNTING,  p.  375. 
4'.  Under  parts  dark  blue  like  upper  parts. 
5.  Wings  with  brown  patches  ;  length  7-8. 

WESTERN  BLUE  GROSBEAK,  p.  373. 
5'.  Wings  without  brown  patches  ;  length  4.75-5.75. 

INDIGO  BUNTING,  p.  374. 

V.  BIRDS   WITH   GREEN   IN   PLUMAGE. 

1.  Plumage  green  and  yellow,  marked  with  black. 
2.  Wings  and  tail  black. 
3.  Length  about  4.00-4.50. 

(part  of)  GOLDFINCHES  ;  see  Astragalinus,  p.  319. 
3'.  Length  about  7.00-8.50   .  WESTERN  EVENING  GROSBEAK,  p.  307. 
2'.  Wings  and  tail  not  black. 


484  APPENDIX 

3.  Head  and  neck  gray      .     .     .    MACGILLIVRAY  WARBLER,  p.  424, 
3'i  Head  and  neck  yellow,  marked  with  black. 

4.  Crown  black      ......     PILEOLATED  WARBLE  E,  p.  428. 

4'.  Crown  not  black. 

5.  Face  with  black  lores      .     .     .      LONG-TAILED  CHAT,  p.  426. 
5'.  Face  with  black  side  patches. 

YELLOW-THROATS  ;  see  Geothlypis,  p.  424. 
1'.  Plumage  not  green  and  yellow  marked  with  black. 
2.  Head  with  crown  patch. 

3.  Crown  patch  bright  red,  or  red,  yellow,  and  black. 

KINGLETS  ;  see  Regulus,  p.  463. 

3'.  Crown  patch  reddish  brown    .     .  GREEN-TAILED  TOWHEE,  p.  368. 
2'.  Head  without  crown  patch. 

3.  Under  parts  red,  head  purplish  blue,  back  glossy  green. 

NONPAREIL,  p.  376. 

3'.  Under  parts  yellowish  or  whitish  ;  head  and  back  mainly  green  or 
gray • VIREOS  ;  see  Vireo,  p.  394. 

VI.     BIRDS   WITH   PLUMAGE   LARGELY   BROWN    OR 
GRAY. 

1.  Back  streaked. 

2.  Crown  bright  reddish  brown  or  black. 
3.  Crown  black. 

4.  Back  streaked  with  white. 

MARSH  WRENS  ;  see  Cistothorus,  p.  449. 

4'.  Back  streaked  with  black     ....  HARRIS  SPARROW,  p.  337. 
3'.  Crown  bright  reddish  brown. 

WESTERN  CHIPPING  SPARROW,  p.  342. 
2'.  Crown  not  reddish  brown  or  black. 
3.  Top  of  head  streaked. 

4.  Head   and   back   uniform ;  tail   feathers   wholly  brown,   sharp 

pointed          .  - CREEPERS  ;  see  Certhia,  p.  451. 

•    4'. Head  and  back  not  uniform;  tail  feathers  marked  with  white, 

not  sharp  pointed LARK  SPARROW,  p.  336. 

3'.  Top  of  head  not  streaked. 

4.  Under  parts  heavily  spotted  ;  outer  tail  feathers  not  white. 

CACTUS  WRENS  ;  see  Heleodytes,  p.  442. 
4'.  Under  parts  more  or  less  streaked;  outer  tail  feathers  marked 

with  white PIPITS;  see  Anthus,  p.  431. 

1'.  Back  not  streaked. 

2.  Under  parts  reddish  or  orange  or  more  or  less  spotted. 
3.  Under  parts  reddish  or  orange. 

4.  Chestwithdark  necklace  .  VARIED  THRUSHES;  see Ixoreus,p.  473. 
4'.  Chest  without  dark  necklace     .     .     ROBINS  ;  see  Merula,  p.  472. 
.     3'.  Under  parts  not  reddish  or  orange. 
4.  Tail  strikingly  marked. 

5.  Tail  with  white  corners     ....     SAGE  THRASHER,  p.  435. 

5'.  Tail  with  black  crescent ROCK  WREN,  p.  443. 

4'.  Tail  not  strikingly  marked. 

5.  Tail  cinnamon  brown,  barred  with  black. 

CANYON  WRENS  ;  see  Catherpes,  p.  444. 
5'.  Tail  not  cinnamon  brown,  nor  barred  with  black. 

6.  Tail  3.00-3.40    .     .     .      THRUSHES  ;  see  Hylocichla,  p.  468. 
6'.  Tail  4.25-5.80    .     .    .  THRASHERS  ;  see  Torostoma,  p.  437. 


APPENDIX  485 

2'.  Under  parts  not  reddish  or  spotted. 
3.  Upper  parts  bluish  gray. 

4.  Tail  very  short NUTHATCHES  ;  see  Sitta,  p.  453. 

4'.  Tail  not  very  short   .     .     GNATCATCHERS  ;  see  Polioptila,  p.  465. 
3'.  Upper  parts  gray  or  brown. 

4.  Throat  black CHICKADEES  ;  see  Parws,  p.  455. 

4'.  Throat  not  black. 

5.  Head  crested TITMICE  ;   see  Parus,  p.  455. 

5'.  Head  not  crested. 
6.  Tail  very  short. 

7.  Plumage  slate  gray WATER  OUZEL,  p.  432. 

7'.  Plumage  dark  brown. 

WESTERN  WINTER  WREN,  p.  449. 
6',  Tail  not  very  short. 

7.  Wings  and  tail  strikingly  marked  with  white. 

MOCKINGBIRD,  p.  435. 
7'.  Wings  and  tail  not  strikingly  marked  with  white. 

8.  Plumage  dark  slate  gray      ....     CATBIRD,  p.  437. 
8'.  Plumage  not  dark  slate  gray. 

9.  Plumage  deep  brown ;    wings  and  tail  barred  with 

black. 
10.  Head  with  white  superciliary. 

BEWICK  WRENS  ;  see  Thryomanes,  p.  446. 
10'.  Head  without  white  superciliary. 

HOUSE  WRENS  ;  see  Troglodytes,  p.  448. 

9'.  Plumage  dull  smoky  gray  or  brown ;  wings  and  tail 

not  barred    .    Busn-TiTS ;  see  Psaltriparus,  p.  460. 


ADDENDA 

CHANGES   IN   NOMENCLATURE   MADE   BY   THE 

NOMENCLATURE     COMMITTEE     OF     THE 

AMERICAN   ORNITHOLOGISTS'   UNION, 

1902-1913. 
CHANGES  IN  FAMILIES. 

PAGE 

5.  Family  Podicipidce  is  now  Colymbidce. 

113.  Family  Tetraonidce  is  divided  into  Family  Odontophoridce:  Bob- 
whites,  Quails,  etc.,  and  Family  Tetraonidce:  Grouse,  Spruce  Par- 
tridges, Ptarmigan,  etc. 

136.  Family  Meleagridce:  Turkeys,  is  made  by  raising  Family  Phasianidce 
to  a  Suborder  to  include  Odontophoridce,  Tetraonidce,  and  Meleagridce. 

146.  Family  Falconidce  is  divided  into  Family  Buteonidce:  Hawks,  Eagles, 
Kites,  etc.,  Family  Falconidce:  Falcons,  Caracaras,  etc.,  and  Family 
Pandionidce:  Ospreys. 

173.  Family  Strigidce  is  now  Aluconidce. 

175.  Family  Bubonidce  is  now  Strigidce. 

379.  Family  Tanagridce  is  now  Tangaridce. 

387.  Family  Ampelidce  is  now  Bombycillidce. 

433.  Family  Troglodytidce  is  divided  into  Family  Mimidce:  Thrashers, 
Mockingbirds,  etc.,  and  Family  Troglodytidce:  Wrens. 

452.  Family  Paridce  is  divided  into  Family  Sittidce:  Nuthatches,  Fam- 
ily Paridce:  Titmice,  and  Family  Chamceidce:  Wren-Tits. 

CHANGES   IN   GENERA. 

8.  Subgenus  Podiceps  is  now  Tachybaptus. 

14.  Genus  Cyclorrhynchus  is  now  Phaleris,  and  Genus  Simorhynchus  is 
now  sEthia,  with  Subgenus  Ciceronia  before  jEthia  pusilla. 

15.  Subgenus  Brachyramphus  precedes  Brachyrhamphus  marmoratus. 

16.  Subgenus  Endomychura  precedes  Brachyrhamphus  hypoleucus. 
34.  Genus  Ossifraga  is  now  Macronectes. 

37.  Subgenus  Oceanodroma  is  inserted  before  Oceanodroma  furcata  and 

subgenus  Cymochorea  before  Oceanodroma  kaedingi. 
45.  Genus  Merganser  is  now  Mergus. 

56.  Genus  Aythya  is  now  Marila  and  Subgenus  Nyroca  precedes  Marila 
americana. 

57.  Subgenus  Fuligula  is  now  Marila. 
72.  Genus  Tantalus  is  now  Mycteria. 

74.  Genus  Ardetta  is  now  Ixobrychus. 

75.  Subgenus  Garzetta  is  now  Genus  Egretta. 

84.  Genus  Crymophilus  is  now  Phalaropus  and  Genus  Phalaropus  is 

Lobipes. 
91.  Genus  Arquatella  is  inserted  after  Tringa  canutus.   Subgenus  Acto- 

dromas  is  now  Genus  Pisobia. 
98.  Genus  Symphemia  is  now  Catoptrophorus. 
108.  Subgenus  Asarcia  is  inserted  before  Jacana  spinosa. 
143.  Genus  Columbigallina  is  now  Chcemepelia. 
155.  Subgenus  Buteo  is  inserted  before  Buteo  borealis. 
161.  Subgenus  Archibuteo  is  inserted  before  Archibuteo  lagopus  sancti- 

johannis. 
168.  Subgenus  ^Esalon  is  now  Tinnunculus. 


ADDENDA  487 

PAGE 

170.  Subgenus  Tinnunculus  is  now  Cerchneis. 

173.  Genus  Strix  is  now  Aluco. 

177.  Genus  Syrnium  is  now  Strix. 

179.  Genus  Nyctala  is  now  Cryptoglaux. 

181.  Genus  Megascops  is  now  Otus. 

198.  Subgenus  Megaceryle  is  inserted  before  Ceryle  alcyon. 

199.  Subgenus  Chloroceryle  is  inserted   before   Ceryle  americana  septen- 
trionalis. 

213.  Genus  Ceophlceus  is  now  Phlceotomus. 

234.  Genus  Codigena  is  now  Cyanolcemus  and  Genus  Trochilus  is  now 


243.  Genus  Uranomitra  is  inserted  after  Amizilis  cerviniventris  chalconota. 

244.  Genus  Jac/ie  is  now  Cynanthus. 

257.  Genus  Myiochanes  is  inserted  after  Nuttallornis  borealis. 

265.  Genus  Ornithion  is  now  Camptostoma. 

288.  Genus  Callothrus  is  now  Tangavius. 

299.  Genus  Scolecophagus  is  now  Euphagus. 

307.  Genus  Coccothraustes  is  now  Hesperiphona. 

325.  Genus  Passerina  is  now  Plectrophenax. 

330.  Genus  Ammodramus  is  divided   into  Genus  Passerculus,  which  in- 

cludes   numbers    542-544;    Genus    Ammodramus,    which    includes 

numbers  545  and  546a;  and  Genus  Passerherbulus,  which  includes 

numbers  547a-550b. 

334.  Subgenus  Coturniculus  is  now  Ammodramus. 
374.  Genus  Cyanospiza  is  now  Passerina. 
382.  Genus  Tachycineta  is  divided  into  Genus  Iridiprocne  for  bicolor  and 

Genus  Tachycineta  for  lepida. 
387.  Genus  Ampelis  is  now  Bombycilla. 
401.  Genus  Helminihophila  is  now  Fermwora. 
425.  Genus  Geothlypis  is  inserted  before  occidentalis. 

433.  Genus  Oroscoptes  is  now  Oreoscoptes. 

434.  Genus  Galeoscoptes  is  now  Dumetella. 
442.  Genus  Olbiorchilus  is  now  Nannus. 

445.  Genus  Parus  is  divided  into  Genus  Bceolophus,  which  includes 
numbers  732-734,  and  Genus  Penthestes,  which  includes  numbers 
735-741b. 

467.  Genus  Merula  is  now  Planesticus. 

SUBGENERA  RAISED  TO    FULL  GENERA. 

Prefect,  p.  75.  ^Is/ur,  p.  152. 

Herodias,  p.  75.  Asyndesmus,  p.  217. 

Dichromanassa,  p.  76.  Centurus,  p.  218. 

Florida,  p.  76.  Nuttallornis,  p.  257. 

Butorides,  p.  76.  Megaquiscalus,  p.  302. 

Nyctanassa,  p.  78.  Hesperiphona,  p.  307. 

Coturnicops,  p.  82.  Passerculus,  p.  331. 

Creciscus,  p.  82.  Vireosyha,  p.  395. 

Actodromas,  p.  91.  Lanivireo,  p.  396. 

Pelidna,  p.  93.  Wreo,  p.  397. 

Oxyechus,  p.  103.  Peucedramus,  p.  410. 

Mgialitis,  p.  104.  Dendroica,  p.  411. 

Ochthodromus,  p.  105.  Oporornis,  p.  424. 

Podasocys,  p.  105.  Chamcethlypis,  p.  426. 

SUBGENERA   ELIMINATED. 

Fulmarus,  p.  34.  Melanerpes,  p.  215. 

Nycticorax,  p.  77.  Trochilus,  p.  235. 

Porzana,  p.  81.  Ammodramus,  p.  335. 

Phalaropus,  p.  84.  Geothlypis,  p.  424. 

Tringa,  p.  91.  Toxostoma,  p.  438. 

Glottis,  p.  96.  Lophophanes,  p.  455. 

Accipiter,  p.  150.  Parus,  p.  457. 


488  ADDENDA 

SPECIES  TO  BE  ADDED  1 
Page  31.  To  Order  Longipennes  add,. at  end:  — 

FAMILY  RYHNCHOPIDJE :  SKIMMERS. 

GENUS  RHYNCHOPS 
80.  Rhynchops  nigra  Linn.  BLACK  SKIMMER. 

Bill  with  lower  mandible  much  longer  than  the  upper,  both  mandibles 
like  knife-blades;  basal  half  of  bill,  legs,  and  feet  red  in  life.  Adults  in 
summer.  —  Forehead,  sides  of  head  and  under  parts  white;  upper  parts 
black;  tail  mainly  white.  Adults  in  winter.  —  Similar,  but  with  white 
collar  across  hind  neck.  Young:  above  buff,  spotted  with  black;  below, 
white.  Length:  17-20,  wing  14.75-15.75,  tail  5.50  (forked) ;  culmen  2.20- 
2.80,  lower  mandible  2.90-4.10. 

95.1.  Puffinus  carneipes  Gould.  PALE-FOOTED  SHEARWATER. 

Adults.  —  Dark  sooty  brown,  nearly  uniform,  slightly  paler  beneath 
and  grayer  on  the  throat;  under  wing  coverts  and  axillaries  uniform 
sooty-brown;  bill  flesh  color  with  tip  horn;  tarsi  and  toes  flesh  color. 
Length:  about  19.5,  wing  12.5,  central  tail  feathers  4.3,  lateral  3.65, 
tarsus  2.25. 
126.  Pelecanus  occidentalis  Linn.  BROWN  PELICAN. 

Similar  to  californicus,  but  with  pouch  always  greenish.    Length:  about 
4-4J  feet,  wing  18.50-21,  bill,  9.40-12.20. 
133.  Anas  rubripes  Brewst.  BLACK  DUCK. 

Like  female  mallard  but  darker. 
160.  Somateria  dresseri  Sharpe.  EIDER. 

Bill  divided  by  wedge  of  feathers.    Male:  black  and  white  with  green 
on  head.    Females  and  young:  plumage  barred  with  dusky  and  fulvous 
or  rusty,  head  and  neck  streaked.     Length:  about  20-26. 
1733.  Branta  bernicla  glaucogastra  (Brehm).  BRANT. 

Like  nigricans,  but  black  of  neck  well  defined  against  lower  parts:  belly 
white. 

Page  70.  Before  Family  Ibididae  insert :  — 

FAMILY  FLATALEIDJE:    SPOONBILLS. 

GENUS   AJAIA 
183.  Ajaia  ajaja  (Linn.}.   ROSEATE  SPOONBILL. 

Bill  wide  and  flat,  head  naked,  skin  black,  orange  around  eyes,  neck 
scantily  feathered,  a  slight  crest  on  lower  neck,  toes  long  and  slightly 
webbed  at  base.  Plumage  pale  pink  becoming  white  on  shoulders  and 
neck,  with  glossy  red  lesser  wing  coverts  and  upper  tail  coverts.  Length: 
28-35,  wing  14.10-15.30,  bill  6.20-7.15,  greatest  width  of  bill  2-2.20. 

208.  Rallus  elegans  Aud.  KING  RAIL. 

Similar  to  virginianus  but  much  larger.    Length:  17-19,  wing  5.90-6.80, 
bill  2.12-2.50,  tarsus  2.10-2.40. 
235a.  Arquatella  maritima  couesi  Ridgw.    ALEUTIAN  SANDPIPER. 

Bill  little  longer  than  head,  much  longer  than  tarsus;  feathers  on  tibia 
long.  Adults  in  summer.  —  Upper  parts  fuliginous  slaty,  marked  with 
ochraceous  and  cinnamon  on  crown,  back,  and  scapulars ;  conspicuous  white 
wing-bar  and  whitish  superciliary  stripe;  throat  and  breast  whitish  with 
dark  spots;  belly  white.  Adults  in  winter.  —  Above  smoky  plumbeous, 
marked  with  purplish  over  the  shoulders;  throat  and  breast  plumbeous 
marked  with  white.  Young:  scapulars  and  interscapulars  black,  marked 
with  rusty  and  whitish;  breast  pale  buff ,  streaked  with  dusky.  Wing: 
4.50-5.15,  bill  .98-1.25,  tarsus  .88-1.00. 
258.  Catoptrophorus  semipalmatus  semipalmatus  (GmeL).  WILLET. 

Like  inornatus  but  lighter  and  with  bill  slenderer. 

1  For  ranges  see  Revised  Ranges  of  Western  Birds,  pp.  491-537. 


ADDENDA  489 

286.  Hsematopus  pallictus  Temm.   OYSTER- CATCHER. 

Like  bachmani  but  belly  white. 
2970.   Dendragapus  obscurus  sierrae.  Chapm.   SIERRA  GROUSE. 

Like  obscurus  but  back  less  black,  tail  band  narrower,  neck  tufts  almost 
wanting. 
301.  Lagopus  lagopus  lagopus  (Linn.).  WILLOW  PTARMIGAN. 

Tail  black  at  all  seasons. 
337d.  Buteo  borealis  harlani  (And.}.  HARLAN  HAWK. 

Dark,  with  mottled  tail.    Status  doubtful. 

339-  Buteo  lineatus  lineatus.  (Gmel.).   RED-SHOULDERED  HAWK. 
37ii.  Otus  asio  gilmani  Swarth.   SAHUARA  SCREECH  OWL. 

Much  like  cineraceus  but  slightly  smaller  and  paler,  of  an  earthy  cast, 
with  dark  markings  restricted. 
3Qoa.  CerylealcyoncaurinaGrmn.  NORTHWESTERN  BELTED  KINGFISHER. 

Like  alcyon,    but  size   throughout  greater,  especially  flight  feathers. 
Male:  wing  6.35,  tail  3.80,  bill  2.25. 
393.  Dryobates  villosus  villosus  (Linn.)   HAIRY  WOODPECKER. 

Like  leucomelas  but  smaller.    Length:  9-10,  wing  4.50-5,  tail  3.50,  bill 

393h.  Dryobates  villosus  leucothorectis  Oberh.   WHITE-BREASTED  WOOD- 
PECKER. 

Much  like  villosus  but  decidedly  smaller;  wing  coverts  almost  always 
without  white  spots. 
414!).  Colaptes  chrysoides  mearnsi  Ridgw.   MEARNS  GILDED  FLICKER. 

Similar  to  chrysoides  but  decidedly  larger  and  paler,  top  of  head  more 
strongly  cinnamomeous,  black  bars  on  back  narrower,  spots  on  outer 
webs  of  primaries  more  conspicuous,  gray  of  throat  lighter,  aad  spots  on 
under  parts  usually  smaller. 
42Od.  Chordeiles  virginianus  hesperis  Grinn.  PACIFIC  NIGHTHAWK. 

Adult  male  darker  than  in  henryi  or  sennetti,  blackish  gray  rather  than 
brown;   wing   coverts  mottled   with   silvery   gray.   Adult   female   gray 
rather  than  tawny. 
439.1.  Uranomitra  salvini  (Brewst.).   SALVIN  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Top  and  sides  of  head  with  sides  of  neck  bright  metallic  blue;  hind 
neck  and  part  of  back,  bluish-green;  tail  dark  metallic  green  or  bronze 
green.  Wing:  2.07,  tail  1.27. 

463.  Empidonax  flaviventris  (W.  M.  &  S.  F.  Baird).    YELLOW-BELLIED 
FLYCATCHER. 

Adults.  —  Above  olive  green,  below  yellow,  including  throat;  wings 
and  tail  fuscous,  wings  with  two  bars. 
4643.  Empidonax  difficilis  cineritius  Brewst.   SAN  LUCAS  FLYCATCHER. 

Like  difficilis  but  duller  and  grayer  above,  paler  below. 
484.  Perisoreus  canadensis  canadensis  (Linn.).   CANADA  JAY. 

Blackish  of  occiput  extending  around  eye. 
496a.  Tangavius  seneus  aeneus  (Wagl.)   BRONZED  COWBIRD. 

Like  the  red-eyed  but  slightly  larger,  bill   relatively  stouter;  female 
grayish. 
528b.  Acanthus  linaria  rostrata  (Coues).   GREATER  REDPOLL. 

Like  linaria  but  larger.    Length  about  5.25-5.75. 
540.  Pooecetes  gramineus  gramineus  (Gmel.).  VESPER  SPARROW. 

Like  confinis  but  wing,  tail,  and  tarsus  shorter. 

542d.  Passerculus  sandwichensis  nevadensis  Grinn.  NEVADA  SAVANNAH 
SPARROW. 

Resembling  alaudinus  but  much  paler  throughout  in  all  plumages; 
white  replacing  buff,  making  black  streaks  more  conspicuous,  and  hazel 
areas  restricted.  Rectrices  with  white  edges. 

574. ib.  Amphispiza  nevadensis  canescens    Grinn.     CALIFORNIA  SAGE 
SPARROW. 

Like  nevadensis  but  smaller  and  slightly  darker. 
58ij.  Melospiza  melodia  juddi  Bish.   DAKOTA  SONG  SPARROW. 

Similar  to  melodia  but  superciliary  and  sides  of  neck  paler,  black  centre 
of  interscapulars  broader.  Length:  6.75,  wing  2.62,  tail  2.78,  bill  .51.  . 


490  ADDENDA 

5815.  Melospiza  melodia  maxillaris  Grinn.   SUISUN  SONG  SPARROW. 

Size  of  heermanni  but  base  of  maxilla  more  swollen,  black  streakings 
broader,  coloration  darker. 
6ooa.  Passerina  versicplor  pulchra  Ridgw.  BEAUTIFUL  BUNTING. 

Adult  male  like  versicolor  but  red  on  occiput  brighter,  flanks  brighter 
plum  purple,  and  rump  more  purplish.    Male:  wing  2.50-2.65,  tail  2.05- 
2.30. 
611.2.  Progne  chalybea  (Gmel).  GRAY-BREASTED  MARTIN. 

Like  female  subis,  throat  and  breast  gray. 
6i2a.  Petrochelidon  lunifrons  tachina  Oberh.    LESSER  CLIFF  SWALLOW. 

Like  lunifrons  but  smaller,  forehead  ochraceous. 
6i2.ia.  Petrochelidon  fulva  pallida  Nels.   COAHUILA  CLIFF  SWALLOW. 

Like  tachina  but  larger  and  paler. 
62?a.  Vireosylva  gilva  swainsoni   (Baird).    WESTERN  WARBLING  VIREO. 

Like  gilva  but  smaller  and  with  slenderer  bill,  coloration  duller  and 
darker.     Length:  4.75-5.40,  wing  2.55-2.85,  tail  2-2.30,  bill  from  nostril 
.29-.31,  depth  at  base  .15-.  16. 
633!).  Vireo  belli  medius  Oberh.   TEXAS  VIREO. 

Like  belli  but  grayer  above,  less  yellow  below. 
645.  Vermivora  rubricapilla  rubricapilla  (Wils.).    NASHVILLE  WARBLER. 

Like  gutturalis  but  less  brightly  colored ;  wings  and  tail  shorter. 
6520.  Dendroica  aestiva  brewsteri  Grinn.  CALIFORNIA  YELLOW  WARBLER. 

Like  cestiva  but  smaller  and  paler.   Male:  wing  2.42,  tail  1.96. 
660.   Dendroica  castanea  (Wils.).   BAY-BREASTED  WARBLER. 

Adult  male.  —  Forehead  and  cheeks   black,    crown  chestnut;  throat, 
upper  breast,  and  sides  chestnut   rufous.    Adult  female.  —  Crown  olive 
green  streaked  with    black   and    usually  some   chestnut;   under  parts 
buffy,  breast  and  sides  more  or  less  stained  with  rufous. 
6633.  Dendroica  dominica  albilora  Ridgw.   SYCAMORE  WARBLER. 

Adult  male.  —  Line  in  front  of   eye  white,  forehead   blackish,  upper 
parts  gray;  cheeks  and  sides  of  throat  black,  throat  and  breast  yellow, 
sides  streaked  with  black.    Adult  female.  —  Similar  but  with  less  black. 
Wing:  2.60,  tail  2,  bill  .45. 
671.  Dendroica  vigorsi  (And.}.   PINE  WARBLER. 

Adult  male.  —  Upper  parts  bright  olive  green,  wings  with  two  white 
bars,  outer  tail  feathers  with  white  patches;  under  parts  yellow  turning 
to  white.  Adult  female.  -=—  Similar  but  upper  parts  brownish  green,  under 
parts  soiled  whitish,  breast  tinged  with  yellow.  Length:  5.52,  wing  2.81, 
tail  2.25. 

675.  Seiurus  noveboracensis  noveboracensis  (Gmel.).  WATER-THRUSH. 
Like  notabilis  but  slightly  smaller  and  line  over  eye  buffy,  under  parts 

tinged  with  yellow  and  streaked,  including  throat. 

676.  Seiurus  motacilla  (Vieill.).   LOUISIANA  WATER-THRUSH. 
Line  over  eye  white,  throat  and  middle  of  belly  unstreaked. 

681.  Geothlypis  trichas  trichas  (Linn.).   MARYLAND  YELLOW-THROAT. 

Like  occidentalis  but  band  behind  black,  gray. 
683.  Icteria  virens  virens  (Linn.).   YELLOW-BREASTED  CHAT. 

Like  longicauda  but  wings  and  tail  shorter. 
7i8b.  Thryothorus  ludovicianus  lomitensis  Senn.   LOMITA  WREN. 

Like  ludovicianus  but  paler;  upper  parts  grayish  brown,  under  parts 
clay  to  buffy  white;  in  winter  chocolate  above,  sometimes  tawny  below. 
Wing:  2.24,  tail  2.05,  bill  .62. 
725d.  Telmatodytes  palustris  iliacus  Ridgw.   PRAIRIE  MARSH  WREN. 

Like  plesius  but  upper  parts  darker,  more  rufescent,  flanks  conspicu- 
ously deep  cinnamon-buff  or  cinnamon. 
73oa.  Sitta  pygmaea  leuconucha  Anth.   WHITE-NAPED  NUTHATCH. 

Like  pygmcea  but  larger,  especially  the  bill ;  light  spot  on  back  of  neck 
larger,  back  less  bluish,  under  parts  less  buffy. 
732a.  Eaeolophus  atricristatus  sennetti  Ridgw.   SENNETT  TITMOUSE. 

Like  atricristatus  but  decidedly  larger,  upper  parts  much  clearer  gray, 
forehead  more  often  tinged  with  brown.  Adult  male.  —  Length  (skins) 
5.60,  wing  3.05,  tail  2.  62,  bill  .43. 


ADDENDA  .  491 

736a.  Penthestes  carolinensis  agilis  (Serin.).  PLUMBEOUS  CHICKADEE. 

Above  pale  plumbeous,  below  white  slightly  washed  with  buff  on  sides 
and  flanks. 

738a.  Penthestes  gambeli  baileyse  (Grinn.).  BAILEY  MOUNTAIN  CHICKA- 
DEE. 

Like  gambeli  but    "coloration  dorsally  and  laterally  more  plumbeous, 
less  brownish,  and  bill  larger." 
74ib.  Penthestes  rufescens  barlowi  (Grinn.)   BARLOW  CHICKADEE. 

Like  neglectus  but  sides  and  flanks  pale  gray  (rarely  with  faint  rusty 
tinge). 
746a.  Auriparus  flaviceps  lamprocephalus  Oberh.  CAPE  VERDIN. 

Like  flaviceps  but  smaller  and  lighter  than  Texas  birds. 
742a.  Chamaea  fasciata  henshawi  Ridgw.   PALLID  WREN-TIT. 

Like  fasciata  but  decidedly  paler,  head  brownish  gray,  back  deep  hair 
brown,  and  under  parts  buffy  fading  to  white  below. 
7420.  Chamaea  fasciata  rufula  Ridgw.   RUDDY  WREN-TIT. 

Like  fasciata  but  upper  parts  darker  and  browner,  under  parts  deep 
pinkish  or  vinaceous  cinnamon. 
7590.  Hylocichla  guttata  sequoiensis  (Beld.).   SIERRA  HERMIT  THRUSH. 

Like  slevini  in  coloration,  but  slightly  darker,  and  decidedly  larger. 
767b.  Sialia  mexicana  anabelae  Anth.  SAN  PEDRO  BLUEBIRD.' 

Back  varing  from  partly  to  wholly  blue,  breast  partly  or  wholly  blue, 

SPECIES  TO   BE   ELIMINATED 

52.  Larus  vegce.  552.  Chondestes  grammacus  grammacus. 

56.   Larus  canus.  Page  357.  Melospiza  melodia  santaecru- 
186.  Plegadis  autumnalis.  cis. 

189.  Mycteria  americana.  Page  358.  Melospiza  fasciata  ingersolli. 
216.  Porzana  jamaicensis.  Melospiza  cinerea  phoea. 

231.  Macrorhamphus  griseus.  Page  361.  Passer  ella  iliaca  annectens. 
304a.  Lagopus  leucurus  altipetens.  Passerella  iliaca  meruloides. 

Page  135.  Phasianus  versicolor.  Page  369.  Cardinaliscardinaliscardinalis. 

Pfiasianus  scemmerringii.  Page  384.  Hirundo  erythrogastra  palmen. 

Chrysolophus  pictus.  625.  Vireo  flavoviridis. 

Gennceus  nycthemerus.  678.  Geolhlypis  agilis. 

396a    Drvobates  scalaris  lucasanus.  Page  425.  Geothlypis  tnchas  scirpicola. 
Paffe  208    Picoides  arcticus  tenuirostris.        710a.  Toxostoma  redimvum  pasadenense. 

401    Picoides  americanus.  Page  442.  Heleodytes   brunneicapillus 


Page  258   C^-pnsrickar^^ura- 

^g&SSSSKS^L 

afh™'°- 

Page  314.  Loxia  curvirostra  bendirei. 


765.  Saxicola  cenanthe. 


EEVISED  RANGES  OF  WESTERN  BIRDS 

NOMENCLATURE   OF    1910   CHECK-LIST 

1.  jflchmophorus  occidentalis.   Western  Grebe. 

Breeda  from  B.C.,  s.  Sask.,  and  s.  Man.  s.  to  n.  N.D.,  Utah,  and  Calif. 
winters  from  s.  B.C.  s.  to  cen.  Mex.;  casual  eastward. 

2.  Colymbus  holbcelli.   Holbeell  Grebe. 

N  N.A.  Breeds  from  nw.  Alaska,  n.  Mack.,  and  n.  Ung.  s.  to  sw.  Minn. 
n.  Mont.,  and  n.  Wash. ;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  Ont.  and  Maine  s.  to  N.C. 
the  Ohio  Valley  s.  Colo.,  and  s.  Calif.;  casual  in  Ga.  and  Greenl. 


492  ADDENDA 

3.  Colymbus  auritus.    Horned  Grebe. 

N.  part  of  N.  Hemis.  Breeds  from  the  lower  Yukon,  n.  Mack.,  cen. 
Keew.,  sw.  Ung.,  and  Magd.  Is.  s.  to  ne.  Maine,  cen.  Minn.,  n.  Utah,  and 
s  B.C. ;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  s.  Ont.,  and  Maine  s.  to  Fla.,  the  Gulf  Coast 
and  s.  Calif.;  casual  in  Greenl. 

4.  Colymbus  nigricollis  californicus.    Eared  Grebe. 

Breeds  from  cen.  B.C.,  Great  Slave  Lake,  and  Man.  s.  to  n.  Iowa,  n. 
Ariz.,  and  s.  Calif. ;  winters  from  cen.  Calif,  to  Cape  San  Lucas  and  Guat.; 
e.  to  Kan.  in  migration;  casual  in  Mo.,  Ind.,  and  Ont. 

5.  Colymbus  dominions  brachypterus.    Mexican  Grebe. 
From  s.  Tex.  and  L.C.  to  Panama. 

6.  Podilymbus  podiceps.   Pied-billed  Grebe. 

Breeds  from  B.C.,  s.  Mack.,  s.  Keew.,  Que.,  and  N.B.  s.  to  Chile  and 
Argentina,  but  often  rare  or  local;  winters  from  Wash.,  Tex.,  Miss.,  and 
Potomac  Vail.  s. 

7.  Gavia  immer.   Loon. 

N.  part  of  N.  Hemis.  Breeds  in  Am.  s.  to  n.  Calif.,  Wyo.,  Iowa,  and 
eastward  to  N.S.;  winters  from  B.C.,  Great  Lakes,  and  New  Eng.  to  Gulf 
Coast  and  L.C. 

9.  Gavia  arctica.   Black-throated  Loon. 

N.  part  of  N.  Hemis.  In  Am.  breeds  from  Kotzebue  Sound,  Alaska 
s.  to  Ung. ;  winters  in  s.  Can. ;  casually  to  Colo.,  Neb.,  and  e.  to  Long  I. 

10.  Gavia  pacifica.   Pacific  Loon. 

In  Am.  breeds  s.  to  n.  B.C.,  s.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  Gt.  Slave  Lake, 
and  base  of  Alaska  penin.;  winters  along  coast  from  B.C.  to  L.C. 

11.  Gavia  stellata.    Red-throated  Loon. 

N.  part  of  N.  Hemis.  In  Am.  breeds  s.  to  cen.  Keew.,  Que.,  N.B.,  and 
N.F. ;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  the  Great  Lakes,  and  Maine  s.  to  Fla.  and  s. 
Calif. 

12.  Lunda  cirrhata.   Tufted  Puffin. 

Coasts  and  islands  of  Arctic  Ocean,  Bering  Sea,  and  N.  Pac.  s.  to  Santa 
Barbara  Is.,  Calif.,  and  from  Bering  Strt.  to  Japan. 

15.  Cerorhinca  monocerata.    Rhinoceros  Auklet. 

Coasts  and  islands  of  N.  Pac.  Breeds  from  Aleutians  to  Wash. ;  winters 
from  Wash,  to  L.C.  and  to  Kurile  Is. 

16.  Ptychoramphus  aleuticus.   Cassin  Auklet. 

Pacific  coast  of  N.  Am.,  from  Aleutian  Is.  to  L.C.  Breeds  locally 
throughout  its  range. 

17.  Phaleris  psittacula.   Paroquet  Auklet. 

Coasts  and  Is.  of  w.  Arctic  Ocean,  Bering  Sea,  and  N.  Pac.;  winters 
from  Aleutians  to  Monterey  Bay,  Calif.,  and  in  Kurile  Is.- 

20.  JEihia.  pusilla.   Least  Auklet. 

Coasts  and  Is.  of  N.  Pac.  Breeds  from  Bering  Strait  to  Aleutian  Is.; 
winters  from  Aleutians  and  Commander  Is.  s.  to  Wash,  and  Japan;  casual 
at  Pt.  Barrow. 

21.  Synthliboramphus  antiquus.    Ancient  Murrelet. 

Coasts  and  Is.  of  N.  Pac.   Winters  from  the  Aleutians  s.  to  Santa  Bar- 
bara and  to  Japan. 
23.  Brachyramphus  marmoratus.   Marbled  Murrelet. 

Coasts  and  Is.  of  N.  Pac.  Winters  from  Vancouver  I.  to  Santa  Barbara. 
25.  Brachyramphus  hypoleucus.  Xantus  Murrelet. 

From  Monterey  Bay  to  Cape  San  Lucas. 
29.   Cepphus  columba.    Pigeon  Guillemot. 

Coasts  and  Is.  from  Arctic  Ocean  to  s.  Calif,  and  n.  Japan. 
30a.    Uria  troille  californica.    California  Murre. 

Coasts  and  Is.  of  N.  Pac.   Breeds  to  cen.  Calif. ;  winters  to  s.  Calif. 
36.  Stercorarius  pomarinus.   Pomarine  Jaeger. 

Both  Hemis.  Breeds  s.  to  n.  Alaska,  n.  Mack.,  Melville  Penin.,  and 
Baffin  Land ;  also  on  Arctic  Is.  of  E.  Hemis. ;  migrates  off  Atlantic  coast  s. 


ADDENDA  493 

to  N.  J. ;  common  fall  migrant  on  coast  of  Calif. ;  winters  s.  to  Africa,  Aus- 
tralia, and  Peru;  accidental  in  Nebr.  and  the  Galapagos  L^. 

37.  Stercorarius  parasiticus.   Parasitic  Jaeger. 

Both  Hemis.  Breeds|in  Am.  from  nw.  Alaska,  Melville  I.,  and  n. 
Greenl.  s.  to  cen.  Keew.,  cen.  Mack.,  and  Aleutian  Is.;  migrant  on  both 
coasts  of  the  U.S.;  winters  s.  to  Brazil,  Australia,  and  Africa;  casual  to 
Colo.,  Mo.,  and  Great  Lakes. 

38.  Stercorarius  longicaudus.   Long-tailed  Jaeger. 

N.  part  of  N.  Hemis.  Breeds  in  Am.  on  coasts  of  Kotzebue  and  Norton 
Sounds,  n.  Mack.,  and  n.  Greenl. ;  winters  to  Gibraltar  and  Japan;  casual 
to  Calif.,  and  in  migration  New  Eng. 
40a.   Rissa  tridactyla  pollicaris.    Pacific  Kittiwake. 

Coasts  of  N.  Pac.,  Bering  Sea,  and  adjacent  Arctic  Ocean.    Breeds  s. 
to  Aleutian  and  Commander  Is. ;  winters  from  s.  Alaska  to  L.C. 
42.  Larus  hyperboreus.    Glaucous  Gull. 

Breeds  in  Arctic  regions.   In  N.  Am.  from  nw.  Alaska,  Melville  I.,  and 
n.  Greenl.  s.  to  Newfoundland,  cen.  Ung.,  n.  Mack.,  and  Aleutians;  win- 
ters from  Aleutians  and  Greenl.  to  Long  I.,  the  Gt.  Lakes,  and  Monterey, 
Calif.;  casually  to  Tex.,  etc. 
44.  Larus  glaucescens,  'Glaucous-winged  Gull. 

Coasts  of  N.  Pac.,  Bering  Sea,  and  adjacent  Arctic  Ocean.    Breeds 
from  Kotzebue  Sound  to  Wash,  and  Kamchatka,  etc.;  winters  from 
Aleutians  to  L.C.  and  Japan. 
49.  Larus  occidentalis.   Western  Gull. 

Breeds  from  Wash,  to  L.C. ;  winters  from  Wash,  to  sw.  Mex. ;  casual  to  B.C. 
51.  Larus  argentatus.  Herring  Gull.  • 

N.  Hemis.  In  America  breeds  from  s.  cen.  Alaska,  Melville  I.,  and  Cum- 
berland Sound  s.  to  s.  Ont.,  n.  N.D.,  s.  Alberta,  and  s.  B.C.;  winters  from 
s.  B.C.,  Great  Lakes,  and  Gulf  of  St.  Lawr.  to  Bahamas,  Cuba,  Mex., 
Yucatan,  and  L.C. 

53.  Larus  californicus.   California  Gull. 

Breeds  from  Ore.  and  Gt.  Slave  Lake  to  n.  N.D.,  n.  Utah,  and  ne.  Calif., 
winters  from  Ore.  and  Gt.  Salt  Lake  to  w.  Mex.  and  L.C. 

54.  Larus  delawarensis.    Ring-billed  Gull. 

Breeds  from  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  s.  Keew.,  and  s.  Ung.  s.  to  n.  Que.,  N.D., 
s.  Colo.,  and  s.  Ore.;  winters  from  B.C.  and  the  Gt.  Lakes  to  Bermuda, 
the  Gulf  Coast,  Cuba,  and  s.  Mex. 

55.  Larus  brachyrhynchus.    Short-billed  Gull. 

Breeds  from  Kotzebue  Sound  to  Anderson  River  and  s.  to  Gt.  Slave 
Lake;  winters  from  Alaska  to  s.  Calif. 

57.  Larus  heermanni.   Heermann  Gull. 

Breeds  in  L.C.  and  w.  Mex.;  wanders  n.  to  s.  B.C.;  winters  from  n. 
Calif,  to  s.  Guatemala. 

58.  Larus  atricilla.   Laughing  Gull. 

Atlant.  and  Gulf  coast  of  U.S.  and  both  coasts  of  Mex. ;  winters  from 
S.C.  and  Gulf  coast  to  w.  Mex.,  Guat.,  and  Guiana,  and  casually  to 
Chile  and  Brazil;  casual  to  N.M.,  Colo.,  and  eastward. 

59.  Larus  franklini.   Franklin  Gull. 

Breeds  from  sw.  Sask.  and  sw.  Keew.  to  Iowa,  Minn.,  and  S.D.;  win- 
ters on  Gulf  coast  of  Tex.  and  La.  and  in  Peru  and  Chile. 

60.  Larus  Philadelphia.    Bonaparte  Gull. 

Breeds  in  nw.  Alaska  and  n.  Mack. ;  winters  from  Wash,  and  N. J.  to 
Fla.,  Gulf  Coast,  Mex.,  Yucatan,  and  L.C. 

62.  Xema  sabini.    Sabine  Gull. 

Breeds  on  w.  coast  of  Alaska,  n.  Mack.,  n.  Keew.,  and  n.  Greenl.,  and 
on  Arctic  Is.  of  Europe  and  Asia;  in  migration  on  both  coasts  of  U.S. 
and  casual  in  the  interior;  winters  in  Peru. 

63.  Gelochelidon  nilotica.   Gull-billed  Tern. 

Almost  cosmopolitan.  In  Am.  breeds  fromVa.  to  Tex.  and  the  Bahamas; 
winters  in  s.  Mex.  and  s.  Guat.  and  from  Brazil  to  s.  Argent. 


494  ADDENDA 

64.  Sterna  caspia.   Caspian  Tern. 

Nearly  cosmopolitan,  breeding  in  isolated  localities,  such  as  Gt.  Slave 
Lake,  Ore.,  coasts  of  Tex.,  etc.;  winters  from  coast  of  cen.  Calif,  to  L.C. 
and  w.  Mex.  and  on  Gulf  and  Atl.  coasts. 

65.  Sterna  maxima.   Royal  Tern. 

Breeds  on  s.  Atl.  and  Gulf  coasts  and  in  W.I. ;  not  rare  in  summer  from 
San  Francisco  Bay  to  w.  Mex. ;  winters  from  Monterey  and  Gulf  of  Mex. 
s.  to  Peru  and  w.  coast  of  Africa. 

66.  Sterna  elegans.   Elegant  Tern. 

Pacif.  coast  from  San  Francisco  Bay  to  Chile. 

69.  Sterna  forsteri.   Forster  Tern. 

Breeds  on  interior  lakes  of  Ore.,  Calif.,  and  Nev.,  and  from  sw.  Sask. 
and  Man.  s.  to  n.  Colo.,  n.  Neb.,  s.  Ont.,  and  on  coasts  of  Va.,  La.,  and 
Tex.;  winters  from  s.  Calif.,  Gulf  of  Mex.,  and  eastward,  s.  to  Guat. 

70.  Sterna  hirundo.    Common  Tern. 

N.  Hemis.,  n.  S.  Am.,  and  Africa.  Breeds  from  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  cen. 
Keew.,  and  s.  Ung.  s.  to  N.C.,  n.  Ohio,  N.D.,  and  sw.  Sask.;  winters  from 
Fla.  to  Brazil;  casual  in  migration  from  B.C.  to  L.C. 

71.  Sterna  paradiscea.   Arctic  Tern. 

Nearly  cosmopolitan.    In  Am.  breeds  from  n.  Alaska,  Melville  I.,  and 
n.  Greenl.  s.  to  Mass.,  cen.  Keew.,  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  n.  B.C.,  and  Aleutian 
Is. ;  winters  in  Antarctic  Ocean,  s.  to  lat.  74°;  in  migration  Pac.  coast  s.  to 
s.  Calif,  and  Atl.  coast  to  L.I. 
74.  Sterna  antillarum.   Least  Tern. 

Breeds  from  s.  Calif.,  nw.  Neb.,  and  Mass.  s.  to  Fla.,  Bahamas.  W.I., 
Gulf  coast,  Brit.  Hond.,  and  Venez.;  winters  from  Gulf  coast  to  Venez. 
and  Peru. 
77.  Hydrochelidon  nigra  surinamensis.   Black  Tern. 

Breeds  from  sw.  B.C.,  Great  Slave  Lake,  s.  Keew.,  and  w.  Ont.  s.  to 
inland  lakes  of  n.  Ohio,  n.  Mo.,  Colo.,  Nev.,  and  Calif. ;  winters  from  Mex. 
to  Peru  and  Chile;  coast  of  U.S.  in  fall. 

80.  Rhynchops  nigra.    Black  Skimmer. 

Trop.  and  Temp.  Am.  Breeds  from  Va.  to  Gulf  coast  and  Tex.;  occurs 
regularly  at  mouth  of  Rio  Grande;  winters  from  Gulf  coast  to  Colima, 
Mex.,  and  C.R. 

81.  Diomedea  nigripes.    Black-footed  Albatross. 

Breeds  on  islands-  nw.  of  Hawaii  and  Marshall  Is. ;  occurs  off  coast 
from  s.  Alaska  to  Calif,  and  w.  Mex.,  and  also  China  and  Japan. 

82.  Diomedea  albatrus.    Short-tailed  Albatross. 

Pac.  Ocean,  from  Bering  Strait  to  L.C.  and  China. 

83.  Thalassogeron  culminatus.   Yellow-nosed  Albatross. 
Indian  and  S.  Pac.  Oceans;  casually  n.  to  coast  of  Ore. 

84.  Phcebetria  palpebrata.    Sooty  Albatross. 
Southern  oceans;  casually  n.  to  coast  of  Ore. 

85.  Macronectes  giganteus.   Giant  Fulmar. 
Southern  seas;  casually  n.  to  coast  of  Ore. 

86b.  Fulmarus  glacialis  glupischa.    Pacific  Fulmar. 

N.  Pac.;  in  winter,  Aleutians  to  L.C. 
86.1.  Fulmarus  rodgersi.    Rodgers  Fulmar. 

Ids.  of  Arctic  and  Bering  Sea;  winters  s.  to  San  Diego. 
87.  Priocella  glacialoides.    Slender-billed  Fulmar. 

Southern  seas,  n.  along  Pac.  coast  to  Ore. 
91.  Puffinus  creatopus.    Pink-footed  Shearwater. 

Pac.  Ocean,  from  Farallon  Is.,  Calif.,  to  Chile. 
93.  Puffinus  opisthomelas.    Black-vented  Shearwater. 

Breeds  along  coast  of  Mex.  and  L.C.;  migrates  n.  abundantly  to  Calif, 
and  casually  to  Vane.  I. 
95.  Puffinus  griseus.    Sooty  Shearwater. 

Oceans  of  S.  Hemis. ;  in  summer  n.  along  Pac.  coast  to  Alaska. 
[95.1.]  Puffinus  carneipes.   Pale-footed  Shearwater. 

Austral,  and  New  Zeal.  Seas,  n.  to  Japan  and  casually  to  coast  of  Calif. 


ADDENDA  495 

96.  Puffinus  tenuirostris.   Slender-billed  Shearwater. 

Pac.  Ocean,  breeding  in  S.  Hemis.,  but  migrating  in  summer  to  Kotze- 
bue  Sound. 
96.2.  Puffinus  bulleri.   New  Zealand  Shearwater. 

New  Zealand;  casually  n.  to  Calif. 
105.  Oceanodroma  furcata.   Forked-tailed  Petrel. 

Breeds  on  Is.  from  Arctic  Ocean  to  Ore.;  wanders  s.  to  San  Pedro,  Calif. 
105.2.  Oceanodroma  kaedingi.  Kaeding  Petrel. 

Pac.  coast  and  Ids.  from  Cape  Flattery  to  s.  Calif,  and  Socorro  I.; 
breeds  s.  to  the  Farallons. 

107.  Oceanodroma  melania.    Black  Petrel. 

Breeds  from  Los  Coronados  Is.  to  Tres  Marias  Is. ;  wanders  n.  to  Mon- 
terey, Calif.,  and  s.  to  Guerrero,  Mex. 

108.  Oceanodroma  homochroa.   Ashy  Petrel. 

Coast  of  Calif.   Breeds  on  Farallon  and  San  Miguel  Is. 
108.1.  Oceanodroma  socorroensis.   Socorro  Petrel. 

San  Diego,  Calif.,  s.  to  Is.  off  w.  coast  of  Mex.:  breeds  on  Los  Corona- 
dos and  San  Benitp  Is. 
118.  Anhinga  anhinga.   Water-Turkey. 

Lower  Son.  zone  of  Tex.,  s.  111.,  N.C.,  and  Fla.  s.  to  Trop.  Am.;  casu- 
ally to  Kan. 

120.  Phalacrocorax  auritus  auritus.   Double-crested  Cormorant. 
Breeds  from  cen.  Sask.,  s.  Keew.,  ne.  Que.,  and  N.F.  s.  to  Me.,  s.  Minn., 

s.  S.D.,  and  Utah;  winters  from  N.C.  (casually  Mass.)  to  Gulf  coast. 
120b.  P.  a.  cincinatus.   White-crested  Cormorant. 

Breeds  from  s.  Alaska  to  Wash. ;  south  to  Calif,  in  winter. 
120c.  P.  a.  albociliatus.    Farallon  Cormorant. 

Coast  and  inland  lakes  of  Ore.,  Nev.,  and  Calif,  s.  to  L.C.  and  Socorro 
Is. ;  casual  to  Utah. 

121.  Phalacrocorax  vigua  mexicanus.   Mexican  Cormorant. 

Colo.,  N.M.,  Kan.,  and  s.  111.  s.  to  Bahamas  and  Cuba,  Gulf  of  Mex., 
Mex.,  and  Nicaragua. 

122.  Phalacrocorax  penicillatus.   Brandt  Cormorant. 
Pac.  coast  from  Vane.  Is.  to  Cape  San  Lucas. 

123a.  Phalacrocorax  pelagicus  robustus.    Violet-green  Cormorant. 

Norton  Sound,  Alaska,  s.  to  Wash. 
123b.  P.  p.  resplendens.   Baird  Cormorant. 

Pacif.  coast  from  n.  Wash.  s.  to  Cape  San  Lucas  and  Mazatlan,  Mex. 

125.  Pelecanus  erythrorhynchos.   White  Pelican. 

Breeds  from  s.  B.C.,  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  and  sw.  Keew.  to  Man.,  Utah, 
and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  s.  Calif.,  the  Gulf  States,  Fla.,  and  Cuba  s.  to 
w.  Mex.  and  C.R. ;  casual  to  Atl.  coast  in  migration. 

126.  Pelecanus  occidentalis.   Brown  Pelican. 

Gulf  coast  of  U.S.  (Brownsville,  Tex.)  and  Atl.  coast  of  C.  and  S.  Am. 

127.  Pelecanus  californicus.    California  Brown  Pelican. 

Pac.  coast,  from  s.  B.C.  to  the  Galapagos  Is.  and  Ecuador.  Breeds 
n.  to  Anacapa  Is.,  Calif. 

128.  Fregata  aquila.   Man-o'-war-bird. 

Trop.  and  subtrop.  coasts;  in  Am.  n.  to  s.  Calif.,  Tex.,  La.,  and  Fla., 
and  casually  to  Humboldt  Bay,  Calif.,  and  e.  to  Kan.,  Iowa,  Ohio,  and  N.S. 

129.  Mergus  americanus.    Merganser. 

Breeds  from  s.  Alaska,  s.  Yukon,  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  cen.  Keew.,  s.  Ung., 
and  Newfoundland  s.  to  Me.,  n.  N.Y.,  s.  Minn.,  s.  S.D.,  and  cen.  Ore.; 
and  in  mts.  s.  to  N.M.,  cen.  Ariz.,  and  n.  Calif.;  winters  from  Aleutians, 
B.C.,  Ida.,  n.  Colo.,  n.  New  Eng.,  and  N.B.  s.  to  Gulf  States,  Bermuda, 
and  Chihuahua. 

130.  Mergus  serrator.    Red-breasted  Merganser. 

Breeds  from  cen.  B.C.,  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  cen.  Keew.,  cen.  Ung.,  and  Newf. 
s.  to  cen.  Fla.,  s.  Kan.,  s.  Wyo.,  and  s.  Ore.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  Utah, 
Colo.,  and  Neb.  e.  to  Atl.  coast,  and  s.  to  Gulf  States,  Cuba,  Mex.,  and  L.C. 


496  ADDENDA 

?131.  Lophodytes  cucullatus.    Hooded  Merganser. 

Breeds  from  cen.  B.C.,  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  cen.  Ung.,  and  Newf.  s.  to 
cen.  Fla.,  s.  La.,  s.  Kan.,  s.  Wyo.,  and  s.  Ore.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  Utah, 
Neb.,  Ind.,  and  Mass.  s.  to  Cuba,  Gulf  States,  Mex.,  and  L.C. 

132.  Anas  platyrhynchos.    Mallard. 

N.  Hemis.  In  Am.  breeds  from  Pribilof  Is.,  nw.  Alaska,  n.  Mack.,  cen. 
Keew.,  and  Greenl.  s.  to  Md.  (rarely),  cen.  Mo.,  s.  Kan.,  s.  N.M.,  and 
L.C.;  winters  from  the  Aleutians,  cen.  Alaska,  cen.  Mont.,  Wyo.,  and 
Neb.  e.  to  Atl.  and  s.  to  Lesser  Antill.,  Mex.,  and  Panama. 

133.  Anas  rubripes.    Black  Duck. 

Breeds  from  cen.  Keew.,  and  n.  Ung.  s.  to  s.  Md.,  and  n.  Wis.;  winters 
from  N.S.  s.  to  s.  La.    West  in  migration  to  S.D.  and  Colo. 
134a.  Anas  fulvigula  maculosa.    Mottled  Duck. 

Resident  in  s.  Tex.  and  La. 

135.  Chauleslasmus  streperus.   Gadwall. 

Nearly  cosmopolitan.  In  N.Am.  breeds  from  s.  B.C.,  and  cen.  Keew. 
s.  to  s.  Wis.,  s.  Colo.,  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  Ariz.,  Ark.,  and 
eastward  s.  to  Fla.,  Jalisco,  and  s.  L.C. 

136.  Mareca  penelope.     Widgeon. 

N.  part  of  E.  Hemis.  Occurs  occasionally  in  winter  and  migration  in 
e.  U.S.,  Cal.,  and  Alaska. 

137.  Mareca  americana.    Baldpate. 

Breeds  from  nw.  Alaska,  n.  Mack.,  and  cen.  Keew.  s.  to  Ind.,  Kan., 
Colo.,  Utah,  Nev.,  and  Ore.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  Ariz.,  s.  111.,  and  east- 
ward s.  to  W.I.,  C.R.,  and  L.C. 
[138].  Nettion  crecca.   European  Teal. 

N.  part  of  E.  Hemis.  Breeds  in  Aleutians  and  migrates  rarely  to  Calif., 
New  Eng.,  Va.,  etc. 

139.  Nettion  carolinense.   Green-winged  Teal. 

Breeds  from  the  Aleutians,  nw.  Alaska,  n.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  n.  Ung., 
and  Newf.  s.  to  se.  Can.,  n.  Neb.,  n.  N.M.,  and  cen.  Calif.;  winters  from 
Aleutians,  B.C.,  Ney.,  s.  Neb.,  and  eastward  s.  to  L.C.,  W.I.,  etc. 

140.  Querquedula  discors.   Blue-winged  Teal. 

Breeds  from  cen.  B.C.,  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  and  Newf.  s.  to  Maine,  w.  N.Y., 
s.  Ind.,  n.  N.M.,  n.  Nev.,  and  cen.  Ore.;  winters  from  s.  Calif.,  Ariz.,  s. 
111.,  and  Del.  s.  to-W.L,  Brazil,  and  Chile. 

141.  Querquedula  cyanoptera.    Cinnamon  Teal. 

Breeds  in  N.Am.  from  s.  B.C.,  sw.  Alb.,  and  se.  Wyo.  s.  to  Tex.,  Chi- 
huahua, and  n.  L.C.;  winters  from  s.  Calif.,  and  s.  Tex.  s.  to  cen.  Mex. 
and  s.  L.C.  Casual  in  Kan.,  Man.,  and  e.  states.  Occurs  in  S.Am.  from 
Peru  and  Brazil  to  Falkland  Is. 

142.  Spatula  clypeata.    Shoveller. 

N.  Hemis.  In  N.Am.  breeds  from  nw.  Alaska,  nw.  Mack.,  and  s. 
Keew.  s.  to  n.  Ind.,  cen.  N.M.,  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  Ariz., 
N.M.,  s.  111.,  and  Del.  s.  to  W.I.,  Colombia,  and  Hawaii. 

143.  Dafilaacuta.  Pintail. 

N.  Hemis.  In  N.Am.  breeds  on  Arctic  coast  from  Alaska  to  Keew.  and 
s.  to  n.  111.,  Neb.,  s.  Colo.,  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  Nev.,  Ariz., 
s.  Ohio,  and  eastward  s.  to  P.R.  and  Panama. 

144.  Aix  sponsa.   Wood  Duck. 

Breeds  from  s.  Can.  s.  to  Fla.,  Cuba.,  s.  Tex.,  and  cen.  Calif.;  winters 
from  s.  B.C.,  Kan.,  Ind.,  and  N.J.  s.  to  Gulf  of  Mex.  and  s.  Calif. 

146.  Marila  americana.   Redhead. 

Breeds  from  s.  B.C.,  cen.  Sas.,  and  sw.  Keew.  s.  to  s.  Wis.,  S.D.,  N.M., 
Colo.,  Utah,  and  Calif.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  Utah,  and  Kan.  e.  to  Atl. 
and  s.  to  Fla.,  cen.  Mex.,  and  L.C. 

147.  Marila  valisineria.   Canvas-back. 

Breeds  from  cen.  B.C.,  Ft.  Yukon,  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  and  sw.  Keew.  s. 
to  Minn.,  Colo.,  and  Ore.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  Nev.,  Colo.,  111.,  and 
eastward  south  to  Gulf  coast  and  Jalisco. 


ADDENDA  497 

148.  Marila  marila.   Scaup  Duck. 

N.  part  of  N.  Hemis.  In  N.Am.  breeds  from  Aleutians,  nw.  Alaska, 
Gt.  Slave  Lake,  and  cen.  Keew.  s.  to  N.D.  and  s.  B.C.;  winters  from  Aleu- 
tians, Nev.,  Colo.,  Lake  Ont.,  and  Me.  s.  to  Fla.,  the  Bahamas,  s.  Tex., 
a.  N.M.,  and  s.  Calif. 

149.  Marila  affinis.    Lesser  Scaup  Duck. 

Breeds  from  Yukon  Vail,  and  Ft.  Anderson,  Mack.,  s.  to  Lake  Erie, 
Iowa,  Colo,  (casually),  s.  Mont.,  and  cen.  B.C.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  Nev., 
Colo.,  Lake  Erie,  and  N.J.  s.  to  Bahamas,  Lesser  Antilles,  and  Panama. 

150.  Marila  collaris.    Ring-necked  Duck. 

Breeds  from  s.  B.C.,  n.  Alb.,  and  Lake  Winnipeg  s.  to  Wis.  and  N.D.; 
winters  from  s.  B.C.,  N.M.,  n.  Tex.,  s.  111.,  and  N.J.  s.  to  P.R.  and  Guat. 

151.  Clangula  clangula  americana.    Golden-eye. 

Breeds  from  cen.  Alaska,  N.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  n.  Ung.,  and  Newf. 
s.  to  n.  New  Eng.,  n.  N.Y.,  n.  N.D.,  s.  Mont.,  and  s.  B.C.;  winters  from 
the  Aleutians,  Utah,  Neb.,  Lake  Erie,  Maine,  and  N.B.  s.  to  Fla.,  cen. 
Mex.,  and  s.  Calif. 

152.  Clangula  islandica.   Barrow  Golden-eye. 

Breeds  from  s.  cen.  Alaska,  nw.  Mack.,  and  n.  Ung.  to  Que.,  s.  Colo., 
and  s.  Ore. ;  winters  from  Alaska,  Mont.,  Gt.  Lakes,  and  Gulf  of  St.  Lawr. 
to  New  Eng.,  Neb.,  Colo.,  and  Calif. 

153.  Charitonetta  albeola.   Buffle-head. 

Breeds  from  the  upper  Yukon,  the  lower  Mack.,  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  and" 
cen.  Keew.  s.  to  Ont.,  n.  Wyo.,  and  B.C.;  winters  from  Aleutians,  Colo., 
and  N.Y.  s.  to  Fla.  and  cen.  Mex.  » 

154.  Harelda  hyemalis.    Old-squaw. 

N.  part  of  N.  Hemis.  In  N.  Am.  breeds  from  Is.  of  Bering  Sea,  Arctic 
coast  of  Alaska,  Melville  Is.,  Grinnell  Land,  and  n.  Greenl.  s.  to  Hudson 
Bay,  e.  cen.  Mack.,  and  Aleutians ;  winters  from  the  Aleutians,  Greenl., 
and  Gulf  of  St.  Lawr.  s.  to  Fla.,  Tex.,  Colo.,  and  Calif. 

155.  Histrionicus  histrionicus.   Harlequin  Duck. 

N.  N.  Am.  and  e.  Asia.  Breeds  from  Kowak  and  Yukon  Rivers,  Arctic 
coast,  and  Greenl.  s.  to  Newf.,  n.  Ung.,  cen.  Mack.,  and  B.C.;  s.  in  mts. 
to  sw.  Colo,  and  cen.  Calif. ;  in  flocks  in  summer  near  Pribilof  and  Aleu- 
tian Is.  and  on  coast  of  Wash.;  winters  from  Calif.,  Colo.,  Lake  Mich., 
and  Gulf  of  St.  Lawr.  s.  to  Me.  and  rarely  N.J. 
160.  Somateria  dresseri.  Eider. 

Breeds  from  s.  Ung.  and  Newf.  to  Me.  and  Hud.  Bay;  winters  from 
Newf.  to  Va.,  and  casually  to  Colo. 
163.  Oidemia  americana.    Scoter. 

N.  N.  Am.  and  e.  Asia.  Breeds  from  Kotzebue  Sound  to  Aleutians, 
also  Hud.  Bay,  Newf.,  etc.;  winters  from  Is.  of  Bering  Sea  to  Japan  and 
Calif.,  Gt.  Lakes,  and  occasionally  Colo.,  Wyo.,  etc. 

165.  Oidemia  deglandi.    White-winged  Scoter. 

Breeds  from  ne.  Siberia,  Alaska,  Mack.,  and  n.  Ung.  s.  to  Que.,  N.D., 
Alb.,  and  cen.  B.C.;  winters  on  Pac.  coasts  to  China  and  L.C.,  on  Gt! 
Lakes,  and  Atl.  coast  to  Fla. ;  casually  to  Colo.,  Neb.,  and  La. ;  non-breed- 
ing birds  occur  in  summer  as  far  s.  as  R.I.  and  Monterey,  Calif. 

166.  Oidemia  perspicillata.    Surf  Scoter. 

Breeds  from  Kotzebue  Sound  to  Sitka,  and  from  nw.  Mack,  and  Hud. 
Strt.  s.  to  Que.,  Keew.,  and  Gt.  Slave  Lake;  non-breeding  birds  occur  in 
summer  on  Pac.  coast  to  L.C.  and  on  Atl.  to  L.  I. ;  winters  on  both  coasts, 
Gt.  Lakes,  and  casually  Colo.,  Kan.,  Iowa,  111.,  and  La. 

167.  Erismatura  jamaicensis.    Ruddy  Duck. 

Breeds  from  cen.  B.C.,  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  s.  Keew.  and  n.  Ung.  s.  to  Me., 
Ont.,  Neb.,  n.  N.M.,  cen.  Ariz.,  and  n.  L.C.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  Ariz., 
N.M.,  and  Me.  s.  to  Lesser  Antilles  and  Costa  Rica. 

168.  Nomonyx  dominions.    Masked  Duck. 

W.I.  and  Tropical  Am.  Rare  and  local  from  lower  Rio  Grande  in  Tex., 
Mex.,  Guat.,  and  w.  S.  Am. 


498  ADDENDA 

169.  Chen  hyperboreus  hyperboreus.    Snow  Goose. 

Breeds  from  mouth  of  Mack,  probably  to  Melville  Is.;  winters  from 
B.C.,  s.  Colo.,  and  s.  111.  s.  to  La.,  Tex.,  Jalisco,  and  n.  L.C. ;  also  to  Japan. 
Rare  in  e.  U.S. 

169.  1.  Chen  ccerulescens.   Blue  Goose. 

Breeding  range  unknown,  but  probably  n.  Ung.;  winters  from  Neb. 
and  111.  to  La.  and  Tex.  (Brownsville). 

170.  Chen  rossi.    Ross  Snow  Goose. 

Breeding  range  unknown  but  probably  n.  of  Mack. ;  winters  in  Calif. ; 
in  migration  occurs  in  Ore.,  etc. 
17  la.  Anser  albifrons  gambeli.    White-fronted  Goose. 

Breeds  on  and  near  Arctic  coast  from  ne.  Siberia  to  ne.  Mack,  and  s.  to 
lower  Yukon  Vail.;  winters  to  Japan  and  from  B.C.  to  Mex.  and  e. 
172.  Branta  canadensis  canadensis.    Canada  Goose. 

Breeds  from  lower  Yukon,  nw.  Mack.,  and  cen.  Keew.  s.  to  Ind.,  Neb., 
n.  Colo.,  and  Calif.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  s.  Colo.,  so.  111.,  and  N.J.  s.  to 
Gulf  of  Mex.  and  Calif. 
172a.  B.  c.  hutchinsi.    Hutchins  Goose. 

Breeds  from  Kowak  Vail.,  Alaska,  and  from  mouth  of  Mack.  e.  along 
Arctic  shores  and  islands  from  lat.  70°  s.  to  Hud.  Bay  and  Melville  Penin. ; 
winters  from  B.C.,  Nev.,  Colo.,  and  Mo.  s.  to  La.,  Tex.,  and  L.C.    Rare 
,from  Miss.  Vail.  e. 
172b.  B.  c.  occidentalis.   White-cheeked  Goose. 

Breeds  from  Prince  Wm.  Sound  and  Mitkof  Is.  s.  to  ne.  Calif. ;  winters 
from  Wash,  to  s.  Calif. 
I72c.  B.  c.  minima.   Cackling  Goose. 

Breeds  from  Norton   Sound  to  Aleutians;   winters  from   B.C.  to  San 
Diego  Co.,  Calif.;  casual  e.  to  Colo,  and  Miss.  Vail. 
173a.  Branta  bernicla  glaucogastra.    Brant. 

N.  Hemis.    Breeds  on  Arctic  Is.  n.  of  lat.  74°  and  w.  to  about  long. 
100°;  winters  from  Mass,  to  N.C.;  casual  on  s.  border  of  B.C.;  recorded 
Humboldt  Co.,  Calif.,  and  from  interior. 
174.  Branta  nigricans.    Blac^Brant. 

Breeds  on  Arctic  coast  and  Is. ;  winters  on  Pac.  coast  from  B.C.  s.  to  San 
Quintin  Bay,. L.C. ,  and  interior  of  Ore.  and  Nev.;  and  on  Asiatic  coast 
s.  to  Japan. 

176.  Philacte  canagica.   Emperor  Goose. 

Coasts  of  Alaska,  chiefly  in  region  of  Norton  Sound  and  lower  Yukon: 
s.  in  winter  to  s.  Alaska;  casually  to  n.  Calif.  Rare  in  U.S. 

177.  Dendrocygna  autumnalis.    Black-bellied  Tree-duck. 

Breeds  from  Corpus  Christi,  Tex.,  to  Mazatlan,  Mex.  and  Panama; 
winters  from  cen.  Mex.  to  Panama. 

178.  Dendrocygna  bicolor.    Fulvous  Tree-duck. 

Sw.  U.S.  and  Mex.,  Uruguay  and  Argentina,  S.  Africa,  and  India. 
Breeds  from  cen.  Calif.,  s.  Ariz.,  and  cen.  Tex.  to  s.  Mex.. 

180.  Olor  columbianus.    Whistling  Swan. 

Breeds  in  Arctic  regions ;  winters  largely  over  the  U.S. ;  casual  in  n.  Mex. 

181.  Olor  buccinator.    Trumpeter  Swan. 

Interior  and  w.  N.  Am.  Breeds  from  Arctic  Ocean  to  about  lat.  60°; 
winters  from  s.  B.C.,  cen.  Calif.,  s.  Ind.,  and  s.  111.  s.  to  Tex.  Casual  in 
Rocky  Mt.  region  of  U.S.  in  migration. 

183.  Ajaia  ajaja.    Roseate  Spoonbill. 

Coast  of  Tex.,  La.,  Fla.,  and  Ga.  s.  to  Patagonia  and  Falkland  Is. 

184.  Guara  alba.    White  Ibis. 

L.C.,  Tex.,  and  S.C.  s.  to  W.I.,  Brazil,  and  Peru;  casually  to  S.D.,  Gt. 
Salt  Lake,  and  e. ;  winters  from  Gulf  of  Mex.  s. 

187.  Plegadis  guarauna.   White-faced  Glossy  Ibis. 

Temperate  and  Tropical  Am.  from  Ore.,  Nev.,  Utah,  and  Tex.  to  Mex.; 
casual  to  B.C.,  Wyo.,  and  Neb. 

188.  Mycteria  americana.    Wood  Ibis. 

Temperate  and  Tropical  Am.  from  s.  Calif.,  Ariz.,  Tex.,  Ohio  Vail., 
and  S.C.  to  Argentina;  casually  n.  to  Idaho,  Mont.,  and  e. 


ADDENDA  499 

190.  Botaurus  lentiginosus.   Bittern. 

N.  Am.,  s.  to  Cuba  and  Pana.,  breeding  in  suitable  localities  in  the 
U.S.,  Can.,  and  Mex. 

191.  Ixobrychus  exilis.    Least  Bittern. 

Breeds  from  s.  Ore.,  s.  Sas.,  s.  Man.,  s.  Que.,  and  N.S.  s.  to  W.I.  and 
Brazil;  winters  from  Fla.  and  Gulf  of  Mex.  s. 
194.  Ardea  herodias  herodias.    Great  Blue  Heron. 

Breeds  from  s.  Can.  s.  across  the  U.S.;  winters  from  Ore.  and  Ohio  to 
Venezuela. 
194a.  A.  h.  fannini.   Northwestern  Coast  Heron. 

From  Prince  Wm.  Sound,  Alaska  s.  to  Wash. 

196.  Herodias  egretta.   Egret. 

Breeds  in  Ore.  and  Calif,  and  from  Fla.,  Gulf  coast,  and  Mex.  s.  to  Pata- 
gonia. 

197.  Egretta  candidissima  candidissima.   Snowy  Egret. 

Temperate  and  Tropical  Am.  Breeding  range  now  greatly  restricted  and 
local. 

198.  Dichromanassa  rufcscens.    Reddish  Egret. 

Breeds  from  L.C.,  s.  Tex.,  and  Fla.  to  Jamaica  and  Guat. ;  winters 
from  s.  Fla.  s. ;  casual  in  Colo. 

200.  Florida  ccerulea.   Little  Blue  Heron. 

N.  and  S.  Am.  Now  breeds  locally  on  Gulf  coast  and  in  S.C. ;  winters 
from  S.C.  s. 

201.  Butorides  virescens  virescens.   Green  Heron. 

Breeds  from  s.  S.D.  and  se.  Can.  s.  to  W.I.;  winters  rarely  in  se.  states 
and  from  W.I.  s.    Casual  in  Colo. 
201c.  B.  v.  anthonyi.   Anthony  Green  Heron. 

Arid  sw.  U.S.  Breeds  from  n.  Calif,  s.  to  n.  L.C.,  s.  Ariz.,  and  Michoa- 
can,  Mex. ;  winters  from  s.  Calif,  to  s.  Mex. 

202.  Nycticorax  nycticorax  ncevius.    Black-crowned  Night  Heron. 
Breeds  from  n.  Ore.,  s.  Wyo.,  s.  Man.,  n.  Que.,  and  N.S.  s.  to  Patagonia; 

winters  from  n.  Calif,  and  Gulf  States  s. 

203.  Nyctanassa  violacea.   Yellow-crowned  Night  Heron. 

Breeds  from  s.  L.C.,  Kan.,  s.  III.,  and  S.C.  s.  to  Brazil  and  Peru;  casual 
to  Colo. ;  winters  from  s.  L.C.  s. 

204.  Grus  americana.    Whopping  Crane. 

N.  Am.  Breeds  now  mainly  in  Mack,  and  Sask.;  winters  from  Gulf 
States  to  cen.  Mex.;  casual  w.  to  Mont.,  Colo.,  and  Mex. 

205.  Grus  canadensis.    Little  Brown  Crane. 

Breeds  from  n.  Alaska,  Melville  I.,  and  Boothia  Penin.  s.  to  cen.  Keew., 
s.  Mack.,  and  cen.  Alaska;  migrates  through  interior  of  U.S.,  and  winters 
s.  to  Tex.  and  Jalisco,  Mex. ;  casual  to  Calif. 

206.  Grus  mexicana.   Sandhill  Crane. 

From  s.  Can.  to  Fla.  and  cen.  Mex.,  breeding  from  Can.  to  Ariz. 
208.  Rallus  elegans.    King  Rail. 

Breeds  from  Neb.,  w.  Kan.,  Ont.,  N.Y.,  and  Conn.  s.  to  Fla.,  Cuba, 
and    Tex.;    winters    mainly   in    s.    part   of   breeding   range;   casual   to 
S.  Dak. 
210.  Rallus  obsoletus.   California  Clapper  Rail. 

Salt  marshes  of  coast  near  San  Francisco. 
210.1.  Rallus  levipes.    Light-footed  Rail. 

Marshes  of  s.   Calif,  from  Santa  Barbara    s.    to   San   Quintin   Bay, 
L.C. 
21  la.  Rallus  crepitans  saturatus.    Louisiana  Clapper  Rail. 

Resident  on  coast  from  La.  to  Brownsville,  Tex. 
212.  Rallus  virginianus.    Virginia  Rail. 

Breeds  from  s.  Can.  s.  to  N.C.,  111.,  Kan.,  Utah,  and  Calif.;  winters 
from  Ore.,  Utah,  Colo.,  and  se.  states  s.  to  L.C.  and  Guat. 
214.  P or zana  Carolina.  Sora. 

Breeds  from  cen.  B.C.,  s.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  and  Gulf  of  St.  Lawr. 
s.  to  N.J.,  ID.,  Kan.,  Colo.,  Utah,  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  n.  Calif., 
111.,  and  S.C.  s.  through  W.I.  and  C.  A.  to  Venez.  and  Peru. 


500  ADDENDA 

215.  Coturnicops  noveboracensis.   Yellow  Rail. 

Breeds  from  s.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  s.  Ung.,  and  Labr.  s.  to  Me.  and 
Minn. ;  winters  in  Gulf  states  and  rarely  Calif. 
216.1.   Creciscus  coturniculus.    Farallon  Black  Rail. 

Pacif .  coast  of  U.S.   Breeds  in  coast  marshes  of  Calif. ;  casual  in  Wash., 
Ore.,  and  L.C. 
219.  Gallinula  galeata.   Florida  Gallinule. 

Breeds  from  cen.  Calif.,  Ariz.,  Neb.,  Ont.,  N.Y.,  and  Vt.  s.  through 
W.I.  and  Mex.  to  Chile  and  Argentina,  and  in  Galapagos  and  Bermuda; 
winters  from  s.  Calif.,  Ariz.,  Tex.,  and  Ga.  s. ;  casual  in  Colo.,  etc. 

221.  Fulica  americana.    Coot. 

Breeds  from  cen.  B.C.,  s.  Mack.,  Man.,  Que.,  and  N.B.  s.  to  N.J., 
Tenn.,  Tex.,  and  n.  L.C.,  also  in  s.  Mex.,  s.  W.I.,  and  Pana.;  winters  from 
s.  B.C.,  Nev.,  Utah,  Ohio  Vail.,  and  Va.  s.  to  Pana.;  casual  in  Alaska, 
Lab.,  Greenl.,  and  Bermuda. 

222.  Phalaropus  fulicarius.    Red  Phalarope. 

N.  and  S.  Hemis.  In  N.  Am.  breeds  from  n.  Alaska,  Melville  I.,  and 
n.  Ellesmere  Land  s.  to  s.  Greenl.,  Hud.  Str.,  cen.  Keew.,  n.  Mack.,  and 
mouth  of  Yukon;  migrates  along  both  coasts  of  U.S.;  winter  home  un- 
known but  probably  on  oceans  at  least  as  far  s.  as  Falkland  and  Juan 
Fernandez  Is.  Casual  in  interior  to  Colo.,  Kan.,  and  e. 

223.  Lobipes  lobatus.    Northern  Phalarope. 

N.  and  S.  Hemis.  In  N.  Am.  breeds  from  n.  Alaska,  Melville  I.,  and 
Greenl.  s.  to  n.  Ung.,  cen.  Keew.,  n.  Mack.,  and  Aleutians;  winter  home 
unknown  but  probably  oceans  s.  of  equator;  in  migration  occurs  nearly 
throughout  U.S.  and  in  Mex.,  C.A.,  Bermuda,  and  Hawaii. 

224.  Steganopus  tricolor.    Wilson  Phalarope. 

Breeds  from  c.  Wash.,  Alb.,  and  Lake  Winnipeg  s.  to  Iowa,  s.  Kan., 
s.  Colo.,  and  e.  Calif.;  winters  from  Chile  and  Argentina  to  Falkland  Is. 
Casual  in  migration  on  Pac.  from  s.  B.C.  to  L.C.  and  on  Atl.  from  Me. 
to  N.J. 

225.  Recurvirostra  americana.   Avocet. 

Breeds  mainly  from  Ore.,  Alb.,  and  Man.  s.  to  Iowa,  Tex.,  N.M.,  and 
Calif. ;  winters  from  Calif,  and  Tex.  to  Guat. 

226.  Himantopus  mexicanus.    Black-necked  Stilt. 

Temperate  N.  and  S.  Am.  Breeds  from  cen.  Ore.,  n.  Utah,  and  s.  Colo, 
s.  to  La.,  s.  Tex.,  Mex.,  N.M.,  and  s.  Calif.;  also  from  cen.  Fla.  through 
Bahamas,  and  W.I.  to  n.  Brazil  and  Peru;  winters  from  s.  L.C.,  s. 
Tex.,  and  s.  Fla.  s.  through  C.  Am.  and  W.I.  to  n.  Brazil,  Peru,  and 
Galapagos. 
228.  Philohela  minor.  Woodcock. 

Breeds  from  s.  Man.,  s.  Que.,  and  U.S.  s.  to  Fla.,  La.,  and  Kan.;  win- 
ters from  s.  Mo.,  Ohio  Vail,  and  e.  to  coast,  s.  to  Fla.  and  Tex. ;  casual  to 
Colo.,  Keew.,  Sask.,  etc. 
230.  Gallinago  delicata.   Wilson  Snipe. 

Breeds  from  nw.  Alaska,  n.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  and  n.  Ung.  s.  to  N.J., 
111.,  s.  Colo.,  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  n.  Calif.,  N.M.,  Ark.,  and  N.C. 
through  C.  Am.  and  W.I.  to  Colombia  and  s.  Brazil;  winters  casually  and 
locally  in  Wash.,  Mont.,  Idaho,  etc. 

232.  Macrorhamphus  griseus  scolopaceus.    Long-billed  Dowitcher. 
Breeds  from  Pt.  Barrow,  Alaska  to  mouth  of  Yukon  and  nw.  Mack. ; 

winters  from  Mex.,  La.,  and  Fla,  s.  probably  to  S.  Am. 

233.  Micropalama  himantopus.    Stilt  Sandpiper. 

Breeds  near  coast  of  Mack,  and  probably  cen.  Keew.;  winters  s.  to 
Uruguay  and  Chile;  casual  in  winter  in  s.  Tex.  and  Mex. 

234.  Tringa  canutus.    Knot. 

N.  and  S.  Hemis.,  chiefly  on  seacoasts.   Breeds  from  n.  Ellesmere  Land 
s.  to  Melville  Penin.  and  Icel.,  etc.;  winters  in  Am.  s.  to  s.  Patagonia; 
rare  in  interior  of  N.  Am.  and  on  Pac.  coast. 
235a.  Arquatella  maritima  couesi.   Aleutian  Sandpiper. 

Breeds  on  Commander,  Aleutian,  and  Shumagin  Is. ;  winters  on  Com- 


ADDENDA  501 

mander,  Kurile,  Kadiak,  and  Aleutian  Is.  and  on  Alaska  coast  to  Sitka; 
in  migration  occurs  on  Kotzebue  Sound  and  at  Plover  Bay,  Siberia,  and 
has  been  taken  on  coast  of  n.  Ore. 

239.  Pisobia  maculata.    Pectoral  Sandpiper. 

Breeds  on  Arctic  coast  from  n.  Alaska  to  mouth  of  Yukon  and  ne.  Mack. ; 
winters  from  Peru  and  Bolivia  to  n.  Chile,  Argentina,  and  cen.  Patagonia. 

240.  Pisobia  fuscicollis.    White-rumped  Sandpiper. 

Breeds  along  Arctic  coast  from  nw.  Mack,  to  Cumberland  I. ;  winters 
from  Paraguay  to  Patagonia  and  Falkland  Is. ;  migrates  west  to  Rocky  Mts. 

241.  Pisobia  bairdi.   Baird  Sandpiper. 

Breeds  along  Arctic  coast  from  Pt.  Barrow  to  n.  Keew. ;  winters  in 
Chile,  Argent.,  and  Patag.  Regular  migrant  from  Rocky  Mts.  to  Miss., 
irregular  along  coasts. 

242.  Pisobia  minutilla.    Least  Sandpiper. 

Breeds  from  nw.  Alaska,  s.  Arc.  Is.,  and  n.  Ung.  to  Gulf  of  St.  Lawr., 
s.  Ung.,  cen.  Keew.,  n.  Mack.,  and  Yakutat  Bay;  winters  from  Calif., 
Tex.,  and  N.C.  s.  to  Brazil,  Chile,  and  Galapagos. 
243a.  Pelidna  alpina  sakhalina.    Red-backed  Sandpiper. 

N.  Am.  and  E.  Asia.  Breeds  in  Am.  from  Pt.  Barrow  to  mouth  of 
Yukon,  Boothia  and  Melville  Penins.,  and  n.  Ung.;  winters  on  Pac. 
coast  from  Wash,  to  s.  L.C.,  and  from  N.J.  s.  to  La.  and  s.  Tex. 

246.  Ereunetes  pusillus.    Semipalmated  Sandpiper. 

Breeds  from  Arctic  coast  of  N.  Am.  s.  to  mouth  of  Yukon  and  s.  Ung. ; 
winters  from  Tex.  and  S.C.  through  W.I.  and  C.  Am.  to  Patagonia. 

247.  Ereunetes  mauri.    Western  Sandpiper. 

Breeds  from  Kotzebue  Sound  to  mouth  of  Yukon;  migrates  mainly 
west  of  Rocky  Mts.;  winters  from  L.C.  to  Venez.  and  from  N.C.  to  Fla. 

248.  Calidris  leucophcea.    Sanderling. 

N.  and  S.  Hemis.  In  Am.  breeds  from  Melville  I.,  Ellesmere  Land,  and 
n.  Greenl.  to  Icel.,  n.  Mack.,  and  Pt.  Barrow,  Alaska;  winters  from  cen. 
Calif.,  Tex.,  and  Va.  to  Patagonia;  casually  to  Wash. 

249.  Limosa  fedoa.    Marbled  Godwit. 

Breeds  from  Vail,  of  Sask.  s.  to  N.D.;   migrates  along  Pac.  and  Atl. 
coasts;  winters  from  L.C.  and  se.  states  to  Guat.  and  Belize. 
251.  Limosa  hcemastica.  Hudsonian  Godwit. 

Breeds  from  lower  Anderson  R.  se.  to  cen.  Keew. ;  migrates  e.  of  Rocky 
Mts.;  winters  to  Patagonia.  Recorded  from  Montana;  casual  in  Alaska. 

254.  Totanus  melanoleucus.    Greater  Yellow-legs. 

Breeds  from  Lake  Iliamna,  Alaska,  ands.  Mack.,  to  Anticosti  I.,  Labr., 
Ung.,  and  s.  B.C.;  winters  from  s.  Calif,  and  Gulf  states  to  Patagonia. 

255.  Totanus  flavipes.    Yellow-legs. 

Breeds  from  Kotzebue  Sound,  n.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  and  s.  Ung.  to 
n.  Que.,  s.  Sask.,  and  Vail,  of  upper  Yukon;  winters  in  Argent.,  Chile,  and 
Pata.,  and  casually  Mex.,  Fla.,  and  Bahamas.  Migrates  mainly  e.  of  Rocky 
Mts. 

256.  Helodromas  solitarius  solitarius.    Solitary  Sandpiper. 

Summers  from  Keew.,  Ung.,  and  Newf.  s.  to  Neb.,  111.,  and  Pa.;  win- 
ters from  W.I.  to  Argent. 
256a.  H.  s.  cinnamomeus.    Western  Solitary  Sandpiper. 

Summers  from  Kotzebue  Sound  and  Gt.  Bear  Lake  to  Wash,  and  Colo., 
but  probably  breeds  only  casually  in  U.S. ;  winter  home  unknown,  prob- 
ably n.  S.  Am. 

258.  Catoptrophorus  semipalmatus  semipalmatus.    Willet. 

Breeds  from  Va.  s.  to  Fla.,  Bahamas,  and  Brownsville,  Tex.;  winters 
from  Bahamas  to  Brazil  and  Peru. 
258a.  C.  s.    inornatus.    Western  Willet. 

Breeds  from  cen.  Ore.,  s.  Alb.,  and  s.  Man.  s.  to  n.  Iowa,  s.  S.D.,  cen. 
Colo.,  and  n.  Calif.,  and  on  coasts  of  Tex.  and  La.;  winters  from  Calif., 
Tex.,  and  Gulf  Coast  to  Mex. 

259.  Heteractitis  incanus.    Wandering  Tatler. 

Coasts  and  islands  of  Pac.,  interior  Alaska,  and  Yukon  Terr.;  breeds 


502  ADDENDA 

from  Mt.  McKinley,  Alaska,  to  MacMillan  River, Yukon,  and  s.  to  Prince 
Wm.  Sound;  occurs  w.  to  Norton  Sound  and  n.  Siberia;  winters  from  L.C. 
to  Galapagos,  in  Hawaii  and  Oceanica;  e.  in  migration  to  Crater  Lake, 
Ore. 

261.  Bartramia  longicauda.   Upland  Plover. 

Most  of  N.  Am.  but  mainly  plains  and  prairie  region  e.  of  Rocky  Mts. 
Breeds  from  nw.  Alaska,  s.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  cen.  Wis.,  s.  Ont.,  and  s. 
Me.  s.  to  Va.,  Mo.,  Okla.,  n.  Utah,  and  s.  Ore.;  winters  on  pampas  of  S.Am. 
to  Argentina. 

262.  Tryngites  subruficollis.   Buff-breasted  Sandpiper. 

Breeds  along  Arctic  coast  from  n.  Alaska  to  n.  Keew.;  winters  in  Ar- 
gentina and  Uruguay;  casual  on  Pac.  Coast  n.  to  St.  Michael,  Alaska, 
and  ne.  Siberia. 

263.  Actitis  macularia.   Spotted  Sandpiper. 

Breeds  from  tree  limit  in  nw.  Alaska,  n.  Mack.,  cen  Keew.,  n.  Ung., 
and  Newf .  s.  to  S.C.,  s.  La.,  s.  Tex.,  Ariz.,  and  s.  Calif. ;  winters  from  Calif., 
La.,  and  S.C.  to  s.  Brazil  and  cen.  Peru. 

264.  Numenius  americanus.   Long-billed  Curlew. 

Breeds  from  cen.  B.C.,  s.  Sask.,  and  Man.  to  nw.  Tex.,  n.  N.M.,  and 
ne.  Calif.;  winters  from  cen.  Calif,  and  s.  Ariz.  s.  to  Guat.,  also  s.  Atl.  and 
Gulf  coasts. 

265.  Numenius  hudsonicus.   Hudsonian  Curlew. 

Breeds  from  mouth  of  Yukon  to  Kotzebue  Sound,  and  coast  of  n.  Mack. ; 
winters  from  L.C.  to  s.  Honduras,  from  Ecuad.  to  s.  Chile,  and  B.G.  to 
mouth  of  Amazon;  migrates  mainly  along  coasts;  casual  on  Pribilof  Is. 

266.  Numenius  borealis.   Eskimo  Curlew.  | 

Breeds  on  Barren  Grounds  of  n.  Mack. ;  winters  in  Argentina  and  Pata- 
gonia; now  nearly  extinct. 
270.  Squatarola  squatarola.   Black-bellied  Plover. 

Nearly  cosmopolitan.  In  Am.  breeds  on  Arctic  coast  from  Pt.  Barrow 
to  Boothia  and  Melville  penins.  and  winters  from  Calif.,  La.,  and  N.C. 
to  Brazil  and  Peru. 

272.  Charadrius  dominicus  dominicus.   Golden  Plover. 

Breeds  from  Kotzebue  Sound  along  Arctic  coast  to  mouth  of  Mack., 
and  from  Melville  I.  s.  to  nw.  Hud.  Bay;  winters  on  pampas  of  Brazil 
and  Argent. 

273.  Oxyechus  vociferus.   Killdeer. 

Breeds  from  cen.  B.C.,  s.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  and  cen.  Que.  s.  to  Gulf 
coast  and  cen.  Mex.;  winters  from  Wash.,  Ariz.,  Tex.,  Ind.,  and  N.J.  s. 
to  Venez.  and  Peru. 

274.  jEgialitis  semipalmata.   Semipalmated  Plover. 

Breeds  from  Melville  I.  and  Cumberland  Sound  to  Gulf  of  St.  Lawr., 
s.  Keew.,  s.  Mack.,  and  Upper  Yukon;  winters  from  s.  L.C.,  La.,  and  S.C. 
to  Patag.  and  Chile. 

277.  jEgialitis  meloda.   Piping  Plover. 

Breeds  locally  from  Sask.  to  N.S.  and  s.  to  Va.  and  Neb.;  winters  on 
coast  from  Tex.  to  Ga.,  and  in  n.  Mex. 

278.  jEgialitis  nivosa.    Snowy  Plover. 

Breeds  from  Calif.,  Utah,  and  Kan.  to  Tex.  and  L.C. ;  winters  from  Ore. 
and  Tex.  to  Chile;  casual  in  Wyq.,  etc. 

280.  Ochthodromus  wilsonius.   Wilson  Plover. 

Breeds  from  Tex.  along  Gulf  and  Atl.  coasts;  winters  from  Fla.,  Tex., 
and  L.C.  to  Guat.;  casual  at  San  Diego. 

281.  Podasocys  montanus.   Mountain  Plover. 

Breeds  from  e.  Mont,  to  Tex.  and  N.M.;  winters  from  Calif,  and  s.  lex. 
to  L.C.  and  San  Luis  Potosi,  Mex. 

282.  Aphriza  virgata.   Surf-bird. 

Breeding  range  unknown,  but  probably  interior  of  nw.  Alaska;  winters 
in  Chile  to  Strts.  of  Magellan;  occurs  in  migration  from  Kowak  R.,  Alaska, 
to  s.  S.Am. 


ADDENDA  503 

283a.  Arenaria  interpres  morinella.   Ruddy  Turnstone. 

Arctic  Am.,  breeding  from  Mack.  R.  e.;  winters  from  Calif.,  Tex.,  La., 
and  S.C.  to  s.  Brazil  and  cen.  Chile. 
284.  Arenaria  melanocephala.   Black  Turnstone. 

Breeds  from  Kotzebue  Sound  to  Vail,  of  L.  Yukon;  winters  from  B.C. 
s.  to  Santa  Margarita  I.,  L.C.;  casual  n.  to  Pt.  Barrow,  Alaska,  etc. 

286.  Hcematopus  palliatus.   Oyster-catcher. 

Coasts  of  N.  and  S.  Am.  from  Tex.,  La.,  and  Va.  s.  on  both  coasts  of 
Mex.  to  W.  I.,  s.  Brazil,  and  cen.  Chile.  Breeds  probably  throughout  its  range. 
286.1.  Hcematopus  frazari.  Frazar  Oyster-catcher. 

Both  coasts  of  L.C.,  rarely  n.  to  Ventura  Co.,  Calif.;  casual  on  coast 
of  nw.  Mex. 

287.  Hcematopus  bachmani.    Black  Oyster-catcher. 

Breeds  along  Pac.  coast  of  N.  Am.  from  Aleutians  to  L.C. ;  winters  from 
B.C.  s.  to  L.C. 

288.  Jacana  spinosa.   Mexican  Jacana. 

Rio  Grande  Valley,  Tex.,  s.  Fla.,  and  Gtr.  Antilles  to  Mazatlan,  Mex., 
and  Panama. 

289.  Colinus  mrginianus  mrginianus.   Bob-white. 

Trans,  and  Up.  Aust.  zones  in  e.  U.S.  from  S.D.  and  Me.  to  Fla.,  the 
Gulf,  coast,  and  Tex.    Introduced  in  Willamette  Val.,  and  Mflhfnir  Co., 
Ore.,  and  spread  to  Boise  Vail.,  Ida.    Also  introduced  in  e.  Colo. 
2896.  C.  -v.  texanus.   Texas  Bob-white. 

Up.  and  Low.  Son.  zones  from  se.  N.M.  through  Tex.  to  e.  Nuevo  Leon 
and  cen.  Tamaulipas. 

291.  Colinus  ridgwayi.    Masked  Bob-white. 
S.  Ariz,  and  n.  Sonpra. 

292.  Oreortyx  picta  picta.    Mountain  Quail. 

Humid  Trans,  zone  strip  of  Pac.  coast  from  sw.  Wash.  s.  to  Monterey 
Co.,  Calif.;  introduced  on  Vancouver  I.  and  in  e.  Ore.  and  w.  Ida. 
292a.  O.  a.  plumifera.    Plumed  Quail. 

Semi-arid  Trans,  zone  from  n.  Ore.  and  sw.  Idaho  s.  along  both  sides 
of  Sierra  Nevada  and  Inyo  and  Ventura  cos.,  Calif. 
2926.  O.  p.  confinis.   San  Pedro  Quail. 

San  Bernardino  and  San  Gabriel  Mts.,  Calif.,  s.  to  Hansen  Laguna 
and  San  Pedro  Martir  Mts.,  L.C. 

293.  Callipepla  squamata  squamata.    Scaled  Quail. 

Up.  and  Low.  Son.  zones  from  s.  Colo,  and  Panhandle  of  Tex.  s.  to 
Ariz,  and  Vail,  of  Mex. 
293a.  C.  s.  castanogastris.    Chestnut-bellied  Scaled  Quail. 

Low.  Son.  zone  of  s.  Tex.  from  Eagle  Pass  and  San  Antonio  s.  to  n. 
parts  of  Coahuila,  Nuevo  Leon,  and  Tamaulipas. 

294.  Lophortyx  californica  californica.    California  Quail. 

Humid  Trans,  and  Up.  Son.  zones  along   Pac.  coast  region  from  s. 
Ore.  to  Monterey  Co.,  Calif.    Introduced  in  Wash,  and  Colo. 
294a.  L.  c.  vallicola.    Valley  Quail. 

Mainly  arid  Up.  Son.  zone  from  Oregon  s.  through  Calif,  and  w.  Nev. 
to  Cape  San.  Lucas,  L.C. 

295.  Lophortyx  gambeli.   Gambel  Quail. 

Low.  Son.  desert  region  of  s.  Calif.,  s.  Nev.,  Ariz.,  and  sw.  Utah,  e.  to 
sw.  cor.  of  Colo.,  and  also  in  sw.  N.M.  to  the  Rio  Grande  and  El  Paso 
region  of  Tex.  and  s.  into  ne.  cor.  of  L.C.  and  to  Guaymas,  Sonora. 

296.  Cyrtonyx  montezumce  mearnsi.    Mearns  Quail. 

Arid  Up.  Son.  and  Trans,  zones  from  central  parts  of  Ariz.,  N.M.,  and 
Tex.  s.  to  mts.  of  n.  Coahuila,  Chihuahua,  and  e.  Sonora. 

297.  Dendragapus  obscurus  obscurus.    Dusky  Grouse. 

Can.  and  Trans,  zones  in  Rocky  Mts.  from  n.  Utah  and  Colo,  to  w. 
N.M.,  cen.  Ariz.,  and  e.  Humboldt  Mts.,  Nev. 
297a.  D.  o.  fuliginosus.    Sooty  Grouse. 

Timbered  Tran.  and  Boreal  zones  of  nw.  coast  mts.  from  Alaska  and  s. 
Yukon  to  Ore. 


504  ADDENDA 

2976.  D.  o.  richardsoni.   Richardson  Grouse. 

Rocky  Mts., from  sw.  Mack.  s.  to  Wyo.,  Mont.,  and  e.  Ore. 
297c.  D.  o.  sierrce.    Sierra  Grouse. 

Fort  Klamath,  Ore.,  s.  through  the  mts.  of  Calif,  to  Mt.  Pinos. 
299.  Canachites  franklini.    Franklin  Grouse. 

S.  Alaska,  cen.  B.C.,  and  w.  cen.  Alb.  s.  to  Wash.,  ne.  Ore.,  cen.  Idaho, 
and  w.  Mont. 
300a.  Bonasa  umbellus  togata.   Canada  Ruffed  Grouse. 

Can.  and   Tran.  zones  from  cen.  Keew.,  s.  Ung.,  and  N.S.  s.  to  New 
Eng.,  n.  Mich.,  Man.,  cen.  Idaho,  e.  Ore.,  and  Wash. 
3006.  B.  u.  umbelloides.    Gray  Ruffed  Grouse. 

Norton  Sound  to  cen.  Yukon  and  w.  cen.  Mack.  s.  to  w.  S.D.,  Colo., 
and  n.  Utah. 
300c.  B.  u.  sabini.   Oregon  Ruffed  Grouse. 

Coast  ranges  from  s.  Alaska  s.  to  Humboldt  Co.,  Calif. 
301.  Lagopus  lagopus  lagopus.     Willow  Ptarmigan. 

N.  parts  of  N.  Hemis.,  s.  in  winter  in  Am.  to  B.C.,  n.  Mont.,  Minn., 
Ont.,  and  Que. 

304.  Lagopus  leucurus  leucurus.     White-tailed  Ptarmigan. 

Mainly  in  Arctic  Alpine  zone  of  Rocky  Mts.  fromn.  B.C.  and  cen.  Alb. 
s.  to  N.M.,  nw.  Mont.,  and  Vane.  I.,  Wash. 

305.  Tympanuchus  americanus  americanus.   Prairie  Chicken. 

Mainly  Tran.  zone  from  se.  Sask.  and  s.  Man.  to  Ind.,  Ark.,  ne.  Tex., 
and  e.  Colo. 
305a.   T.  a.  attwdteri.   Attwater  Prairie  Chicken. 

Low.  Son.  zone  in  coast  region  of  Tex.  and  sw.  La. 
307.   Tympanuchus  pallidicinctus.    Lesser  Prairie  Chicken. 

Up.  Son.  zone  of  Gt.  Plains,  from  Kan.  s.  to  cen.  Tex. 
308a.  Pedioecetes  phasianellus  columbianus.  Columbian  Sharp- tailed  Grouse. 

Mainly  Tran.  zone  from  cen.  B.C.  and  cen.  Alb.  s.  to  cen.  Colo.,  Utah, 
and  ne.  Calif. 
3086.  P.  p.  campestris.   Prairie  Sharp-tailed  Grouse. 

Mainly  Tran.  zone  from  s.  Alb.  and  s.  Man.  to  n.  111.,  Kan.,  and  Wyo. 

309.  Centrocercus  urophasianus.    Sage  Grouse. 

Sagebrush  plains  of  Trans,  zone  from  cen.  B.C.,  s.  Sask.,  and   nw. 
N.D.  s.  to  nw.  Neb.,  nw.  N.M.,  and  e.  Calif. 

310.  Meleagris  gallopavo  merriami.    Merriam  Turkey. 

Trans,  and  Up.  Son.  zones  in  mts.  of  s.  Colo.,  N.M.,  Ariz.,  w.  Tex.,  n. 
Sonora,  and  Chihuahua. 
310a.  M.  g.  silvestris.   Wild  Turkey. 

E.  U.S.    From  Neb.  and  sw.  Kan.  e.  to  cen.  Pa.  and  s.  to  Gulf  coast. 
310c.  M.  g.  intermedia.    Rio  Grande  Turkey. 

Lowlands  of  n.  Tex.  s.  to  ne.  Coahuila,  Nuevo  Leon,  and  Tamaulipas. 

311.  Ortalis  vetula  mccalli.    Chachalaca. 

Sub-tropical  zone  in  lower  Rio  Grande  Valley,  Tex.,  s.  in  Mex.  to  n. 
border  of  Vera  Cruz. 

312.  Columba  fasciata  fasciata.    Band-tailed  Pigeon. 

Trans,  zone  from  B.C.,  Utah,  and  Colo.  s.  through  Mex.  to  Nicar.; 
winters  from  sw.  U.S.  s. 

313.  Columba  flavirostris.    Red-billed  Pigeon. 

Mainly  Tropical  zone  from  lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  s.  through  Mex. 
(both  coasts)  and  C.  Am.  to  Costa  Rica. 
315.  Ectopistes  migratorius.    Passenger  Pigeon. 

Bred  formerly  from  Mack.,  Keew.,  Que.,  and  N.S.  s.  to  N.Y.,  Miss., 
and  Kan.;  wintered  principally  from  Ark.  to  Gulf  States;  now  probably 
extinct. 
316a.  Zenaidura  macroura  marginella.    Western  Mourning  Dove. 

Mainly  Up.  Son.  zone  from  Pacific  Coast  and  San  Clemente  I.  e.  to 
Miss.  Vail. 
318.  Leptotila  fulviventris  brachyptera.    White-fronted  Dove. 

Mainly  Trop.  zone  from  lower  Rio  Grande  Vail,  in  Tex.,  s.  through  Mex. 
(both  coasts)  to  Guat. 
319a.  Melopelia  asiatica  trudeaui.   White-winged  Dove. 

Trop.  and  sub-trop.  zones  from  L.C.,s.  Ariz.,  sw.  N.M.,  s.  Tex.,  and  s. 


ADDENDA  505 

Fla.  s.  to  Cuba,  Jam.,  and  C.R.;  casual  inse.  Calif.,  Colo.,  and  Bahamas. 
320a.  Chcemepelia  passerina  pallescens.    Mexican  Ground  Dove. 

Low.  Son.  and  Trop.  zones  from  L.C.,  s.  Ariz.,  and  mid.  s.  Tex.  s.  to 
C.R.;  casual  in  s.  Calif. 
321.  Scardafella  inca.   Inca  Dove. 

Low.  Son.  and  Trop.  zones  from  ne.  L.C.,  Ariz.,  and  s.  Tex.  s.  to  Guat. 

324.  Gymnogyps  calif ornianus.    California  Vulture. 

Coast  ranges  of  Calif,  from  Santa  Clara  Co.  s.  to  n.  L.C. ;  casual  in 
Ore.  and  Ariz. 

325.  Cathartes  aura  septentrionalis.   Turkey  Vulture. 

Aust.  and  Tran.  zones  from  s.  B.C.,  Sask.,  w.  Man.,  Minn.,  Ont.,  N.Y., 
and  N.J.,  s.  to  n.  Mex.  and  s.  L.C.;  winters  throughout  most  of  its  Atl. 
slope  range  but  westward  retires  to  the  Ohio  Vail.,  Neb.,  and  Calif. 

326.  Catharista  urubu.   Black  Vulture. 

Low.  Aust.  and  Trop.  zones  from  w.  Tex.,  Kan.,  Ind.,  and  se.  Va.  s. 
through  Mex.  and  C.  Am.  to  s.  S.  Am.;  casual  in  se.  Can.,  etc. 

327.  Elanoides  forficatus.    Swallow-tailed  Kite. 

Breeds  locally  from  Sask.,  Minn.,  and  S.C.  s.  to  Argentina;  winters  s. 
of  U.S. 

328.  Elanus  leucurus.    White-tailed  Kite. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Aust.  zone  in  Calif.,  Tex.,  Okla.,  and  Fla.;  winters  in 
Calif,  and  Fla.  and  rarely  to  Guat.  Resident  from  Venez.  to  Argent. 

329.  Ictinia  mississippiensis.    Mississippi  Kite. 

Breeds  chiefly  in  Low.  Aust.  zone  from  s.  Kan.,  111.,  s.  Ind.  and  S.C.  s. 
to  Fla.  and  Tex. ;  winters  in  s.  Tex.  and  Fla.  and  rarely  s.  to  Guat. 

331.  Circus  hudsonius.   Marsh  Hawk. 

Breeds  from  ne.  Siberia,  nw.  Alaska,  nw.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  n.  Que., 
and  Prince  Edw.  I.  s.  to  s.  border  of  U.S.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  Ohio 
Vail.,  and  N.Y.,  s.  to  Bahamas,  Cuba,  and  Colombia. 

332.  Accipiter  velox.    Sharp-shinned  Hawk. 

Breeds  nearly  throughout  the  U.S.  and  Can.  from  nw.  Alaska,  nw. 
Mack.,  s.  Keew.,  and  Newf.  s. ;  winters  from  B.C.,  Colo.,  Iowa,  and  Mass. 
s.  to  Panama. 

333.  Accipiter  cooperi.   Cooper  Hawk. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Can.  zone  from  s.  B.C.,  s.  Alb.,  s.  Keew.,  cen.  Que., 
and  Prince  Edw.  I.  s.  to  Calif.,  Colo.,  and  e. ;  winters  from  B.C.,  Colo., 
Neb.,  and  Mass.  s.  to  Colombia. 

334.  Astur  atricapillus  atricapillus.   Goshawk. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zones  from  nw.  Alaska,  nw.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  and 
n.  Ung.  s.  to  N.H.  and  Mich.,  and  in  mts.  s.  to  Pa.  and  N.M.;  winters 
from  Alaska  and  s.  Canad.  Provinces  s.  to  Va.,  Ind.,  Okla.,  Tex.,  and 
n.  Mex. 
334a.  A.  a.  striatulus.    Western  Goshawk. 

Boreal  zones  of  Pac.  coast  region.  Breeds  from  Cook  Inlet,  Alaska, 
s.  to  Sierra  Nev.  of  Calif,  in  lat.  36°  30';  winters  s.  in  Calif,  and  e.  to 
Colo. 

335.  Parabuteo  unicinctus  harrisi.    Harris  Hawk. 

Low.  Son.  zone  in  se.  Calif.,  s.  Ariz.,  s.  Tex.,  La.,  and  Miss.,  s.  to  Cape 
San  Lucas  and  Panama. 
337.  Buteo  borealis  borealis.    Red-tailed  Hawk. 

Sask.,  cen.  "Keew.,  and  Newf.  s.  to  Fla.,  Gtr.  Antill.,  Gulf  coast,  and 
ne.  Mex. 
337a.  B.  b.  krideri.   Krider  Hawk. 

Gt.  Plains,  from  Wyo.,  N.D.,  and  Minn.,  to  Neb.  and  Mo.;  in  winter 
to  Wis.,  111.,  Tex.,  La.,  and  Miss. 
3376.  B.  b.  calurus.   Western  Red-tail. 

W.  N.  Am.  from  mid.  Yukon  and  cen.  w.  Mack.  tow.  part  of  Gt.  Plains 
and  s.  to  Cape  San  Lucas  and  Guat. 
337d.  B.  b.  harlani.    Harlan  Hawk. 

Low.  Miss.  Vail,  and  Gulf  States  from  La.  to  Ga.  and  Fla. ;  casual  in 
Colo.,  Tex.,  Kan.,  Neb.,  111.,  and  Pa. 


506  ADDENDA 

339.  Buteo  lineatus  Uneatus.   Red-shouldered  Hawk. 

Breeds  from  Man.,  s.  Keew.,  s.  Que.,  N.S.,  and  Prince  Edw.  I.  s.  nearly 
to  Gulf  States ;  winters  s.  to  Gulf  coast. 
3396.  B.  I.  elegans.    Red-bellied  Hawk. 

Tran.  and  Son.  zones  from  s.  B.C.  and  Calif,  s.  to  Nev.,  Mex.,  and  L.C. 

340.  Buteo  abbreviates.    Zone-tailed  Hawk. 

Low.  Son.  zone  in  Ariz.,  N.M.,  and  sw.  Tex.  s.  through  Mex.  and  C.A. 
to  Venez.  and  E.G.;  casual  in  s.  Calif. 

342.  Buteo  swainsoni.    Swainson  Hawk. 

Breeds  from  B.C.  and  Man.  to  Chile;  winters  from  S.D.  s. ;  casual  to 
Alaska,  Mack.,  Que.,  Ont.,  Me.,  and  Mass. 

343.  Buteo  platypterus.  Broad-winged  Hawk. 

Breeds  from  cen.  Alb.,  s.  Sask.,  n.  Ont.,  N.B.,  and  Cape  Breton  I.,  s. 
to  Gulf  coast  and  cen.  Tex.,  mainly  e.  of  Miss. ;  winters  from  Ohio  and  Del. 
Vails,  s.  to  Venez.  and  Peru. 
34 1.1  Buteo  albicaudatus  sennetti.    Sennett  White-tailed  Hawk. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  mid.  Tex.  to  s.  Mex.  (both  coasts). 

345.  Urubitinga  anthracina.    Mexican  Black  Hawk. 

Low.  Son.  zone  in  s.  Ariz,  and  Lower  Rio  Grande  Vail.  s.  through  Mex. 
and  C.A.  to  Peru  and  E.G. 

346.  Asturina  plagiata.    Mexican  Goshawk. 

S.  Ariz,  and  lower  Rio  Grande  Vail.  s.  to  Costa  Rica;  winters  s.  of  U.S. 
347a.  Archibuteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis.  Rough-legged  Hawk. 

Breeds  in  Hud.  zone  from  Aleutians,  nw.  Alaska,  Arctic  coast,  and  n. 
Ung.  s.  to  Newf.,  s.  Ung.,  s.  Mack.,  and  cen.  B.C.;  winters  from  Ore., 
Colo.,  Minn.,  and  n.  boundary  of  e.  U.S.  s.  to  N.C.,  La.,  Tex.,  s.  N.M., 
and  cen.  Calif. 

348.  Archibuteo  ferrugineus.    Ferruginous  Rough-leg. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  from  s.  Wash.,  sw.  Sask.,  and  s.  Man.  to 
Kan.,  Colo.,  Utah,  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  Mont,  to  L.C.  and  Mex. 

349.  Aquila  chrysaetos.   Golden  Eagle. 

N.  part  of  N.  Hemis.  In  N.  Am.  from  n.  Alaska,  nw.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew., 
and  n.  Ung.  s.  to  N.S.,  Me.,  c.  Ont.,  s.  Keew.,  Man.,  S.D.,  w.  Tex.,  cen. 
Mex.,  and  mid.  L.C. 
352.  Haliceetus  leucocephalus  leucocephalus.    Bald  Eagle. 

U.S.  to  s.  L.C.  and  n.  Mex.,  breeding  in  suitable  localities  throughout 
its  range;  rare  and  local  in  Calif,  and  arid  interior. 

354.  Falco  rusticolus  rusticolus.    Gray  Gyrfalcon. 

Arctic  regions.  Breeds  in  Arctic  America  from  Alaska  e.  to  s.  Greenl.; 
in  winter  casual  s.  to  B.C.,  Kan.,  Wis.,  Ont.,  and  Me. 

355.  Falco  mexicanus.    Prairie  Falcon. 

Tran.  and  Son.  zones  from  s.  B.C.  and  se.  Sask.  to  e.  border  of  Gt. 
Plains,  and  s.  to  s.  Mex.  and  L.C.;  casual  e.  to  Minn,  and  111.    Breeds 
throughout  its  U.S.  range. 
356o.  Falco  peregrinus  anatum.    Duck  Hawk. 

Breeds  locally  (except  in  nw.  coast  region)  from  Norton  Sound,  n. 
Mack.,  Bothia  Penin.,  and  Greenl.  s.  to  Conn,  (in  mts.  to  S.C.),  Pa.,  Ind., 
Kan.,  sw.  Tex.,  Ariz.,  and  cen.  L.C.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  Colo.,  and  N.J., 
to  W.I.  and  Pana.;  occurs  also  in  s.  S.  Am. 
3566.  Falco  p.  pealei.   Peale  Falcon. 

Pac.  coast  region  of  N.  Am.  from  Aleutians  to  Oregon.   Breeds  through- 
out its  range. 
357.  Falco  columbarius  columbarius.   Pigeon  Hawk. 

Breeds  from  nw.  Alaska  and  nw.  Mack.,  s.  in  mts.  to  Calif.,  and  from 
cen.  Keew.,  n.  Ung.,  and  Newf.  s.  to  Me.,  cen.  Ont.,  and  Mich.;  winters 
from  Calif,  and  Gulf  States  (casually  farther  n.)  s.  through  Mex.,  C.A., 
and  W.I.  to  Ecuad.  and  Venez. 

1  Change  in  subgenus  has  changed  sequence  of  old  Check-List  numeration. 


ADDENDA  607 

357a.  F.  c.  suckleyi.   Black  Pigeon  Hawk. 

Nw.  coast  region  from  B.C.  to  n.  Calif. 
3576.  F.  c.  richardsoni.    Richardson  Pigeon  Hawk. 

Breeds  in  Gt.  Plains  region  from  mid.  Sask  Vail.,  and  s.  Alb.  to  N.D., 
and  n.  Mont.;  winters  s.  to  s.  L.C.,  n.w.  Mex.,  and  s.  Tex.;  casual  in  Cal. 
and  Mo. 

359.  Falco  fusco-ccerulescens.   Aplomado  Falcon. 
Ariz.,  N.M.,  and  s.  Tex.  s.  through  C.A.  to  Patag. 

360.  Falco  sparverius  sparverius.    Sparrow  Hawk. 

Breeds  from  Up.  Yukon,  nw.  Mack.,  s.  Keew.,  and  Newf.  s.  to  Gulf 
States  (except  Fla.);  winters  from  Kan.,  Ohio,  and  Mass.  s.  through  e. 
Mex.  to  C.R. 
360a.  F.  s.  phalcena.    Desert  Sparrow  Hawk. 

Breeds  from  cen.  B.C.  and  sw.  Sask.,  Wyo.,  and  w.  Neb.  s.  to  w.  Tex., 
Durango,  N.M.,  and  s.  Calif. ;  winters  from  B.C.  and  Colo.  s.  to  Guat. 
362.  Polyborus  cheriway.    Audubon  Caracara. 

Subtrop.  and  Trop.  zones  of  n.  L.C.,  Ariz.,  N.M.,  Tex.,  and  Fla.,  s.  to 
Guiana  and  Ecuad. 

364.  Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis.    Osprey. 

Breeds  from  nw.  Alaska,  nw.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  s.  Ung.,  and  Newf. 
s.  to  Gulf  Coast,  w.  Mex.,  and  L.C. ;  winters  from  s.  U.S.  through  L.C.  and 
Mex.  to  W.I.  and  C.A.;  occurs  also  in  S.  Am.  s.  to  Peru  and  Paraguay. 

365.  Aluco  pratincola.   Barn  Owl. 

Breeds  in  Up.  and  Low.  Aust.  zones  of  U.S.  from  Sac.  Vail.,  Calif., 
Colo.,  Neb.,  Ind.,  and  N.Y.  s.  to  Gulf  States  and  s.  Mex. ;  casually  to  Ore., 
Minn.,  Ont.,  Vt.,  and  Mass. 

366.  Asio  wilsonianus.    Long-eared  Owl. 

Breeds  from  cen.  B.C.,  s.  Mack.,  s.  Keew.,  s.  Que.,  and  Newf.  s.  to 
Va.,  Ark.,  n.  Tex.,  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  s.  Can.  to  Ga.,  La.,  and  cen. 
Mex. 

367.  Asio  flammeus.    Short-eared  Owl. 

Nearly  cosmopolitan.  In  N.  Am.  breeds  irregularly  and  locally  from 
n.  Alaska  and  Aleutian  Is.,  n.  Mack.,  n.  Ung.,  and  Greenl.  s.  to  Mass., 
Mo.,  s.  Kan.,  Col.,  and  Calif.;  winters  from  Calif.,  Wyo.,  Ind.,  and  Mass. 
s.  to  La.,  Cuba,  and  Guat.;  common  in  Hawaii. 

368.  Strix  varia  varia.    Barred  Owl. 

Breeds  from  s.  Keew.,  s.  Que.,  and  Newf.  s.  to  Ga.,  e.  Kan.,  e.  Colo., 
and  e.  Wyo. 
3686.  S.  v.  albogilva.   Texas  Barred  Owl. 

Mid.  s.  Tex. 

369.  Strix  occidentalis  occidentalis.    Spotted  Owl. 

Son.  zones  of  Calif,  from  s.  San  Joaquin  Vail,  s.,  and  from  Ariz.,  Colo., 
N.M.,  and  nw.  Tex.  to  L.C. 
369a.  S.  o.  caurina.   Northern  Spotted  Owl. 

Coast  region  from  s.  B.C.  to  cen.  Calif. 

370.  Scotiaptex  nebulosa  nebulosa.    Great  Gray  Owl. 

Breeds  in  Hud.  and  up.  Can.  zones  from  tree  limit  in  cen.  Alaska  and 
nw.  Mack.  s.  to  cen.  Keew.  and  Alb. ;  winters  in  s.  Can.  Provinces,  strag- 
gling to  n.  Calif.,  Wyo.,  Neb.,  Ohio,  N.Y.,  and  New  Eng. 

371.  Cryptoglaux  funerea  richardsoni.    Richardson  Owl. 

Breeds  in  Hud.  and  up.  Can.  zones  from  limit  of  trees  in  cen.  Alaska, 
and  n.  cen.  Mack.  s.  to  n.  B.C.,  n.  Alb.,  and  Magdalen  Is.;  in  winter  to 
s.  Can.  but  rare  e. ;  casual  s.  to  Ore.,  Colo.,  Neb.,  Pa.,  and  New  Eng. 

372.  Cryptoglaux  acadica  acadica.    Saw-whet  Owl. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  from  B.C.,  Alb.,  Man.,  Que.,  N.B.,  and  N.S.  s. 
to  Md.,  n.  Ind.,  s.  Neb.,  N.M.,  cen.  Ariz.,  and  e.  cen.  Calif. 
372a.  C.  a.  scotcea.    Northwestern  Saw-whet  Owl. 

Queen  Charlotte  Is.,  B.C.,  to  Ore. 

373.  Otus  asio  asio.    Screech  Owl. 

Minn.,  Ont.,  and  N.B.  s.  to  Ga.  and  ne.  Tex.  at  about  the  100th  meridian. 


508  ADDENDA 

3736.  0.  a.  mccalli.    Texas  Screech  Owl. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  extreme  s.  Tex.  to  Tamaulipas  and  Nuevo  Leon, 
Mex. 
373c.  O.  a.  bendirei.   California  Screech  Owl. 

Sw.  Ore.  and  Calif. 
373d.  O.  a.  kennicotti.    Kennicott  Screech  Owl. 

Nw.  coast  region  from  Sitka  to  Ore. 
373e.  O.  a.  maxwellice.  Rocky  Mountain  Screech  Owl. 

Foothills  and  adjacent  plains  of  e.  Rocky  Mts.  from  se.  Mont,  to  cen. 
Colo. 
373/.  0.  a.  cineraceus.    Mexican  Screech  Owl. 

Up.  Son.  and  Low.  Tran.  zones  of  s.  Calif.,  Ariz.,  N.M.,  nw.  Mex., 
and  n.  L.C. 

3730.  O.  a.  aikeni.    Aiken  Screech  Owl. 
S.  Colo,  and  e.  to  cen.  Tex. 

373/1.  O.  a.  macfarlanei.   MacFarlane  Screech ^Owl. 
Interior  of  B.C.  s.  to  w.  Mont.,  Ore.,  and  e.  Wash. 

3731.  O.  a.  gilmani.    Sahuara  Screech  Owl. 

Low.  Son.  zone  of  se.  Calif.,  Ariz,  (probably  N.M.),  and  nw.  Mex. 
373.1.  Otus  trichopsis.    Spotted  Screech  Owl. 

S.  Ariz,  to  Guat. 
374.  Otus  flammeolus  flammeolus.    Flammulated  Screech  Owl. 

Ariz.,  Colo.,  and  w.  Tex.  s.  to  highlands  of  Guat. 
374a.  O.  f.  idahoensis.   Dwarf  Screech  Owl. 

Tran.  zone  in  B.C.,  Wash.,  and  Idaho  s.  to  Calif. 
375a.  Bubo  virginianus  pallescens.    Western  Horned  Owl. 

E.  Ore.,  Mont.,  and  Minn.  s.  to  w.  Tex.,  ne.  Mex.,  N.M.,  Ariz.,  and 
se.  Calif. 
3756.  B.  v.  subarcticus.    Arctic  Horned  Owl. 

Breeds  from  nw.  Mack,  and  cen.  Keew.  to  Vail,  of  Sask.,  and  probably 
glacier  region  of  Mt.  St.  Elias  and  Mt.  Fairweather;   s.  in  winter  to  n. 
U.S.  from  Idaho  to  Wis. 
375d.1    B.  v.  pacificus.    Pacific  Horned  Owl. 

Klamath  Lakes,  Ore.,  and  valleys  and  s.  coast  of  Calif. 
375c.  B.-  v.  saturalus.    Dusky  Horned  Owl. 

Pac.  region  from  Ft.  Yukon,  Cook  Inlet,  and   Prince  Wm.  Sound  s. 
along  coast  to  San  Luis  Obispo  Co.,  Calif.,  and  in  Rocky  Mts.  to  Ariz,  and 
N.M.;  in  winter  to  Ft.  Simpson,  Mack.  R. 
376.  Nyctea  nyctea.    Snowy  Owl. 

N.  part  of  N.  Hemis.  In  N.  Am.  breeds  on  barren  grounds  from  Is.  of 
Bering  Sea  and  Yukon  delta  to  Melville  I.  and  n.  Greenl.  s.  to  n.  Ung., 
cen.  Keew.,  and  cen.  Mack. ;  winters  from  Arctic  coast  s.  to  s.  Can.  Provs. 
and  Mont,  and  irregularly  to  e.  states;  straggling  to  Calif.,  Tex.,  N.C.,  etc. 
377a.  Surnia  ulula  caparoch.  Hawk  Owl. 

Breeds  from  nw.  Alaska,  nw.  Mack.,  and  Hud.  Str.  to  Ung.,  (casually 
Mont.),  cen.  Alb.,  and  s.  B.C.;  winters  s.  to  s.  Can.  Provs.,  casually  to 
Wash.,  Neb.,  Ind.,  and  New  Eng. 

378.  Speotyto  cunicularia  hypogcea.    Burrowing  Owl. 

B.C.  to  Man.  and  s.  to  La.  and  Pana. ;  migratory  n.  of  Ore.  and  n.  Kan. 

379.  Glaucidium  gnoma  pinicola.    Rocky  Mountain  Pgymy  Owl. 
Timbered  mts.  of  n.  Colo.,  Ariz.,  and  N.M.,  and  Sierra  Madreof  Mex. 

379a.  G.  g.  californicum.    California  Pygmy  Owl. 

Humid  coast  Tran.  zone  from  s.  B.C.  s.  to  mid.  Calif. 

380.  Glaucidium  phalcenoides.    Ferruginous  Pygmy  Owl. 
Tex.  and  Ariz.  s.  to  s.  Brazil. 

381.  Micropallas  whitneyi.    Elf  Owl. 

S.  Calif,  to  s.  Tex.  and  s.  through  tablelands  of  Mex.  and  L.C. 
382.1.  Rhynchopsitta  pachyrhyncha.    Thick-billed  Parrot. 

Mts.  bordering  tablelands  of  Mex.;  n.  casually  to  Chiricahua  Mts., 
Ariz. 

1  Sequence  of  species  changed  in  1910  Check-List. 


ADDENDA  509 

384.  Crotophaga  sulcirostris.   Groove-billed  Ani. 

Breeds  from  lower  Rio  Grande  Vail.,  Tex.,  and  s.  L.C.  s.  to  Peru;  casual 
in  Ariz.,  Kan.,  La.,  and  Fla. 

385.  Geococcyx  calif ornianus.    Road-runner. 

Mainly  Low.  Son.  and  low.  part  of  Up.  Son.  zones  in  Calif,  (n.  to  up. 
Sac.  Vail.),  Colo.,  and  w.  and  mid.  Tex.  s.  through  L.C.  and  tableland  of 
Mex.  to  Puebla. 

387.  Coccyzus  americanus  americanus.   Yellow-billed  Cuckoo. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Austral  zones  from  N.D.,  Minn.,  Ont.,  and  Me.  s. 
to  Fla.,  La.,  Okla.,  Tamaulipas  and  Nuevo  Leon;  migrates  through  W.  I. 
and  C.  Am.;  winters  in  S.  Am.  s.  to  Ecuad.,  Boliv.,  and  Argent. 
387a.  C.  a.  occidentalis.    California  Cuckoo. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Son.  zones  from  B.C.  and  Colo.  s.  to  cen.  Tex., 
Tamaulipas,  Chihuahua,  and  L.C.;  migrates  through  Costa  Rica;  winter 
home  probably  S.  Am. 

388.  Coccyzus  erythrophthalmus.    Black-billed  Cuckoo. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  from  se.  Alb.,  s.  Que.,  and  Pr.  Edw.  I.  s. 
to  mts.  of  Ga.  and  N.C.,  Ark.,  and  Kan.;  winters  in  S.A.  from  Colombia 
to  Peru. 

389.  Trogon  ambiguus.    Coppery-tailed  Trogon. 

Valley  of  Low.  Rio  Grande  in  Tex.  and  s.  Ariz.  s.  to  Oaxaca  and 
Guerrero,  Mex. ;  rare  in  U.S. 

390.  Ceryle  alcyon.    Belted  Kingfisher. 

N.  Am.  except  nw.  coast.  Breads  from  nw.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  n.  Que., 
and  Newf.  s.  to  s.  border  of  U.S.;  winters  from  B.C.,  Neb.,  Ind.,  Ohio, 
and  Va.  s.  to  W.I.,  Colombia,  and  Guiana,  and  irregularly  as  far  n.  as  Ont. 
390o.  C.  a.  caurina.  Northwestern  Belted  Kingfisher. 

Nw.  coast  district. 
39Q.I.Ceryle  torquata.    Great  Rufous-bellied  Kingfisher. 

Tropical  Mex.  to  s.  Brazil;  casual  on  lower  Rio  Grande  in  Tex. 

391.  Ceryle  americana  septentrionalis.    Texas  Kingfisher. 
S.  Tex.  and  Sinaloa,  Mex.,  s.  to  Panama. 

393.  Dry  abates  villosus  villosus.    Hairy  Woodpecker. 

Tran.  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  from  s.  Man.  to  N.B.,  s.  to  n.  and  mid.  parts 
of  e.  states,  and  w.  to  Okla.,  e.  Colo.,  and  S.D. 
393a.  D.  v.  leucomelas.    Northern  Hairy  Woodpecker. 

Canadian  zone  of  Canada  and  n.  Mont. 
393c.  D.  v.  harrisi.    Harris  Woodpecker. 

Pac.  coast  in  humid  Tran.  zone  from  Alaska  s.  to  n.  Calif.  (Humboldt 
Bay) ;  in  winter  to  Monterey. 
393d.  D.  v.  hyloscopus.'  Cabanis  Woodpecker. 

Tran.  and  Can.  zones  of  Calif,  and  Nev.  s.  to  n.  L.C. 
393e.  D.  v.  monticola.    Rocky  Mountain  Hairy  Woodpecker. 

Can.  and  Tran.  zones  of  Rocky  Mts.  from  e.  Wash.,  Mont.,  and  w. 
Neb.  s.  to  N.M.  and  Utah. 
393/i.  D.  v.  leucothorectis.  White-breasted  Woodpecker. 

Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  s.  Utah,  N.M.,  and  extreme  sw.  Tex.  s.  to 
mts.  of  w.  Zacatecas. 
394a.  Dryobates  pubescens  gairdneri.   Gairdner  Woodpecker. 

Humid  Tran.  zone  of  Pac.  coast  from  s.  B.C.  s.  to  Mendocino  Co., 
Calif. 
3946.  D.  p.  homorus.    Batchelder  WToodpecker. 

Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  s.  B.C.  e.  of  Cascade  range  to  extreme  e. 
Colo.,  w.  Neb.,  and  e.  Calif. 
394c.  D.  p.  medianus.   Downy  Woodpecker. 

Can.  and  Tran.  zones  of  n.  and  cen.  parts  of  e.  N.  Am.  from  se.  Alb., 
Man.,  and  s.  Ung.  s.  to  Potomac  Vail.,  Kan.,  and  Neb. 
394e.  D.  p.  turati.   Willow  Woodpecker. 

Up.  Son.  and  Tran.  zones  of  Calif,  (except  on  nw.  coast  and  desert 
ranges). 


510  ADDENDA 

396.  Dryobates  scalaris  cactophilus.    Cactus  Woodpecker. 

Low.  Son.  desert  region  from  se.  Calif,  to  cen.  Tex.  and  from  Colo., 
Utah,  and  s.  Nev.  s.  to  n.  Mex. 
396a.  D.  s.  lucasanus.    San  Lucas  Woodpecker. 

Low.  Son.  deserts  from  San  Gorgonia  Pass  in  s.  Calif,  s.  to  s.  L.C. 

397.  Dryobates  nuttalli.   Nuttall  Woodpecker. 
Up.  Son.  zone  from  sw.  Ore.  to  nw.  L.C. 

398.  Dryobates  arizonoe.    Arizona  Woodpecker. 

Up.  Son.  zone  in  mts.  from  se.  Ariz,  and  sw.  N.M.  s.  through  Sierra 
Madre  to  Zacatecas. 

399.  Zenopicus  albolarvatus.    White-headed  Woodpecker. 

Mainly  Tran.  zone  in  mts.  from  s.  B.C.  tow.  Idaho,  s.  to  w.  Nev.  and 
s.  Calif. 

400.  Picoides  arcticus.  Arctic  Three-toed  Woodpecker. 

Can.  zone  of  n.  N.  Am.  from  s.  Alaska,  cen.  Yukon,  s.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew., 
and  s.  Ung.  s.  to  Me.,  N.Y.,  Minn.,  S.D.  (Black  Hills),  Wyo.,  Ida.,  Nev., 
and  Sierra  Nev.  of  Calif. 
4016.  Picoides  americanus  dorsalis.   Alpine  Three-toed  Woodpecker. 

Boreal  forests  of  Rocky  Mt.  region  from  Idaho  and  Mont,  to  high  mts. 
of  N.M.  and  Ariz. 

402.  Sphyrapicus  varius  varius.    Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  up.  part  of  Alleg.  zone  from  sw.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew., 
cen.  Que.,  and  Cape  Breton  I.  s.  to  mts.  of  Mass,  and  N.C.,  and  to  IndM 
Mo.,  and  cen.  Alb.;  winters  from  Ohio  Vail,  and  Pa.  to  Bahamas,  Mex., 
and  C.R.;  casual  in  Wyo. 
402a.  S.  v.  nuchalis.    Red-naped  Sapsucker. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  and  Tran.  zones  from  cen.  B.C.  and  s.  Alb.  s.  to  w. 
Tex.,  cen.  N.  M.,  and  ne.  Calif. 

403.  Sphyrapicus  ruber  ruber.    Red-breasted  Sapsucker. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  from  n.  Calif,  (w.  of  Sierra  Nev.)  to  mts.  of  s. 
Calif.;  in  winter  s.  to  s.  L.C.  and  s.  Ariz. 
403a.  S.  r.  notkensis.    Northern  Red-breasted  Sapsucker. 

From  Skagway,  Alaska,  to  e.  slope  of  Cascades  and  s.  to  Siskiyou  Mts., 
n.  Calif. ;  in  winter  s.  to  Monterey,  Calif. 

404.  Sphyrapicus  thyroideus.    Williamson  Sapsucker. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Can.  mt.  forests  from  B.C.  and  Mont.  s.  to  cen. 
N.M.,  cen.  Ariz.,  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  in  s.  Calif.,  N.M.,  w.  Tex.,  and  s. 
to  Jalisco,  Mex. 
405a.  Phloeotomus  pileatus  abieticola.    Northern  Pileated  Woodpecker. 

Can.  and  Tran.  zone  forests  from  ne.  B.C.,  s.  Mack.,  s.  Keew.,  cen. 
Que.,  and  Newf.  to  s.  Alleg.,  n.  N.M.,  and  s.  Sierra  Nev.  of  Calif. 

406.  Melanerpes  erythrocephalus.    Red-headed  Woodpecker. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Aus.  zones  from  se.  B.C.,  Man.,  andOnt.,  s.  to  vails, 
of  Del.  and  Hud.,  Gulf  coast,  cen.  Colo.,  and  cen.  Mont.;  casual  in  Ariz., 
N.M.,  Utah.,  N.S.,  and  N.B.;  irregularly  migratory  in  n.  parts  of  range. 

407.  Melanerpes  formicivorus  formicivorus.    Ant-eating  Woodpecker. 
Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  from  n.  Ariz.,  n.  N.M.,  and  w.  Tex.  s.  through 

Mex.  to  Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec. 

407a.  M .  f.  bairdi.    California  Woodpecker. 

Up.  Son.  and  lower  part  of  Tran.  zones  of  Pac.  Coast  region  from  sw. 
Ore.  s.  to  n.  L.C. 

408.  Asyndesmus  lewisi.    Lewis  Woodpecker. 

Tran.  zone  from  s.  B.C.  and  s.  Alb.  to  N.M.  and  Ariz.,  and  from 
inner  coast  ranges  of  Calif,  to  Black  Hills,  S.D.,  andw.  Neb.;  in  winter  to 
s.  Calif.,  w.  Tex.,  and  Chihuahua;  casual  in  w.  Kan. 

409.  Centurus  carolinus.    Red-bellied  Woodpecker. 

Mainly  Low.  Aus.  zone  from  se.  S.D.,  s.  Minn.,  sw.  Ont.,  Pa.,  and  Del. 
s.  to  Gulf  coast  and  cen.  Tex.;  casual  to  Colo.,  and  Mass. 

410.  Centurus  aurifrons.    Golden-fronted  Woodpecker. 
Cen  and  n.  Tex.  s.  to  Vail,  of  Mex. 


ADDENDA  511 

411.  Centurus  uropygialis.    Gila  Woodpecker. 

Low.  part  of  Low.  Son.  zone  from  the  Colo.  Vail,  in  se.  Calif,  and  se. 
Nev.  to  sw.  N.M.,  and  s.  through  L.C.  and  w.  Mex.  to  Tepic. 
412a.   Colaptes  auratus  luteus.    Northern  Flicker. 

Breeds  from    tree-limit  in  nw.  Alaska,  nw.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.f  and 
Newf .  s.  to  n.  edge  of  Austrorip.  zone  e.  of  Rocky  Mts. ;  occas.  on  Pac. 
slope  from  Calif,  n. ;  migratory  through  most  of  Can.  and  extreme  n.  U.S. ; 
s.  in  winter  to  Gulf  coast  and  s.  Tex. 
413.  Colaptes  cafer  collaris.    Red-shafted  Flicker. 

Pac.  coast  region  and  Rocky  Mts.  from  B.C.  to  Sask.,  s.  to  n.  border 
of  Mex.  and  L.C.;  w.  to  coast  ranges  in  Wash,  and  Ore.,  to  coast  from 
Humboldt  Co.  s. 
413a.  C.  c.  saturatior.    Northwestern  Flicker. 

Humid  Tran.  zone  of  nw.  coast  from  Sitka  to  n.  Calif. 
4146.  Colaptes  chrysoides  mearnsi.    Mearns  Gilded  Flicker. 

Low.  Son.  zone  in  extreme  sw.  Calif.,  n.  L.C.,  and  s.  Ariz.  s.  to  s.  So- 
nora. 

416.  Antrostomus  carplinensis.    Chuck- will's- widow. 

Breeds  in  Austroriparian  zone  from  Mo.,  Ind.,  s.  Ohio,  and  Va.  s.  to 
Gulf  states  and  cen.  Tex.;  winters  from  s.  Fla.  to  Gtr.  Antill.,  C.A., 
and  Colombia;  casual  in  Kan.  and  Md. 

417.  Antrostomus  vociferus  vociferus.    Whip-poor-will. 

Breeds  from  Man.,  s.  Que.,  N.B.,  and  N.S.  s.  to  n.  parts  of  Ga.,  Miss., 
La.,  and  Tex.;  winters  from  S.C.  and  s.  Gulf  States  to  Brit.  Honduras 
and  Salvador. 
417a.  A.  v.  macromystax.    Stephens  Whip-poor-will. 

S.  Ariz.,  N.M.,  and  sw.  Tex.  s.  through  mts.  of  n.  Mex.;  in  winter  s. 
to  Guat. 

418.  Phalcenoptilus  nuttalli  nuttalli.   Poor-will. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  from  se.  B.C.,  and  nw.  N.D.  s.  tos. 
Tex.,  n.  Coahuila,  s.  Ariz.,  s.  S.D.,  and  e.  Calif.;  winters  fromse.  Calif, 
and  s.  Tex.  to  cen.  Mex. 
418a.  P.  n.  nitidus.   Frosted  Poor-will. 

W.  Ariz,  to  w.  Kan.  s.  to  Coahuila  and  Cape  Region  of  L.C. 
4186.  P.  n.  californicus.    Dusky  Poor-will. 

Coast  region  of  Calif,  from  about  lat.  40°  s.  to  San  Pedro  Martir  Mts., 
L.C.  Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones. 

419.  Nyctidromus  albicollis  merrilli.    Merrill  Parauque. 

S.  Tex.  (mainly  Rio  Grande  Valley)  s.  to  n.  Vera  Cruz;  in  winter  along 
the  Gulf  coast  to  Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec. 

420.  Chordeiles  mrginianus  henryi.    Western  Nighthawk. 

Breeds  from  se.  B.C.,  Alb.,  and  s.  Sask.  s.  to  s.  Tex.  and  mts.  of  n.  Mex. ; 
winters  in  S.  Am. 
420c.  C.  v.  sennetti.   Sennett  Nighthawk. 

Breeds  on  treeless  Tran.  zone  plains  from  Sask.  and  Man.  s.  to  cen. 
Neb. ;  in  migration  in  Tex. ;  winter  range  probably  S.A. 
420d.  C.  v.  hesperis.    Pacific  Nighthawk. 

Breeds  from  sw.  B.C.  s.  along  coast  to  n.  Calif.,  and  in  Sierra  Nevada 
s.  to  San  Bernardino  Mts. ;  winter  home  unknown. 

421.  •  Chordeiles  acutipennis  texensis.    Texas  Nighthawk. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Son.  zone  from  cen.  Calif,  to  s.  Tex.  and  s.  to  s.  Mex. 
and  Cape  San  Lucas;  winters  s.  of  U.S. 

422.  Cypseloides  niger  borealis.    Black  Swift. 

Breeds  from  se.  Alaska  and  s.  Colo-,  s.  to  Mex. ;  winters  in  s.  Mex. 

423.  Chcetura  pelagica.    Chimney  Swift. 

Breeds  from  se.  Sask.,  Man.,  cen.  Que.,  and  Newf.  s.  to  Gulf  coast; 
winters  s.  of  U.S.,  probably  to  C.  Am. 

424.  Chcetura  vauxi.    Vaux  Swift. 

Breeds  from  se.  Alaska  to  cen.  Calif.,  e.  to  w.  Mont,  and  Nev.;  rare 
and  sporadic  e.  of  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nev. ;  migrates  through  L.  Cal. 
and  Ariz.,  and  winters  in  C.  Am. 


512  ADDENDA 

425.  Aeronautes  melanoleucus.    White-throated  Swift. 

Breeds  from  s.  B.C.,  s.  Alb.,  and  Black  Hills  s.  to  Guat.  and  L.C. 

426.  Eugenes  fulgens.    Rivoli  Hummingbird. 

Mts.  of  se.  Ariz.,  sw.  N.M.,  Mex.,  and  C.  Am.  s.  to  Nicar. 

427.  Cyanolcemus  clemencice.    Blue-throated  Hummingbird. 
Mts.  of  s.  Ariz.,  sw.  N.M.,  w.  Tex.,  and  Mex.,  to  Oaxaca. 

428.  Archilochus  colubris.    Ruby-throated  Hummingbird. 

Breeds  from  se.  Sask.,  cen.  Que.,  and  Cape  Breton  I.  s.  to  Fla.,  Gulf 
coast,  and  cen.  Tex.;  winters  from  La.  and  Fla.  s.  through  s.  Mex.  and 
C.  Am.  to  Panama. 

429.  Archilochus  alexandri.    Black-chinned  Hummingbird. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  from  B.C.  to  w.  Mont.,  s.  to  cen. 
Tex.,  n.  Mex.,  and  n.  L.C.;  winters  in  w.  Mex.  s.  to  Guerrero. 

430.  Calypte  costce.    Costa  Hummingbird. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Son.  zone  from  s.  Calif,  and  sw.  Utah  s.  to  s.  L.C.  and 
s.  N.M.;  winters  in  L.C.  and  nw.  Mex. 

431.  Calypte  anna.    Anna  Hummingbird. 

Up.  Son.  zone  in  Calif,  (chiefly  w.  of  Sierra),  and  L.C.;  migratory  in  s. 
Ariz. ;  casual  on  Guad.  I. 

432.  Selasphorus  platycercus.    Broad-tailed  Hummingbird. 

Breeds  in  Can.  zone  from  s.  Idaho  and  s.  Wyo.  s.  to  Vail,  of  Mex. ;  win- 
ters in  Mex.  s.  to  Guat. ;  w.  in  migration  to  e.  Calif. 

433.  Selasphorus  rufus.    Rufous  Hummingbird. 

Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  coast  of  Alaska  (lat.  61°),  B.C.,  and  s.  Alb., 
s.  to  higher  mts.  of  Idaho  and  Calif. ;  winters  in  s.  Mex. ;  in  migration  e. 
to  Wyo.,  e.  Colo.,  s.  Ariz.,  and  w.  Tex. 

434.  Selasphorus  alleni.   Allen  Hummingbird. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  from  cen.  Wash,  to  n.  L.C. ;  win- 
ters in  L.C.  and  Sonora. 

435.  Atthis  morcomi.    Morcom  Hummingbird. 
Huachuca  Mts.,  Ariz,  (only  two  specimens  known). 

436.  Stellula  calliope.    Calliope  Hummingbird. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Can.  zones  in  mts.  from  B.C.  to  s.  Ore.,  Idaho,  and 
Wyo.,  and  in  the  Sierra  Nev.  to  s.  Calif.;  winters  in  Mex.  to  Guerrero; 
casual  in  Colo. 

437.  Calothorax  lucifer.   Lucifer  Hummingbird. 

S.  Ariz,  and  w.  Tex.  s.  to  City  of  Mex.,  Puebla,  and  Chiapas;  winters 
in  Mex. 

438.  Amizilis  tzacatl.    Rieffer  Hummingbird. 
Lower  Rio  Grande  Vail,  in  Tex.  s.  to  Venez. 

439.  Amizilis  cerviniventris  chalconota.  .Buff-bellied  Hummingbird. 
Lower  Rio  Grande  Vail,  in  Tex.  s.  to  s.  Tamaulipas. 

439.1.   Uranomitra  salvini.    Salvin  Hummingbird. 

Huachuca  Mts.,  Ariz.,  and  e.  Sonora. 
440.1.  Basilinna  leucotis.    White-eared  Hummingbird. 

Chiricahua,  Huachuca,  and  Santa  Rita  Mts.  of  se.  Ariz.  s.  to  s.  Mex. 
441.  Cynanthus  latirostris.    Broad-billed  Hummingbird. 

S.  Ariz,  and  sw.  N.M.  s.  to  City  of  Mex. 
441.1.  Platypsaris  aglaice  albiventris.    Xantus  Becard. 

Huachuca  Mts.,  Ariz.,  s.  to  Nueyo  Leon  and  Oaxaca. 

443.  Muscivora  forficata.    Scissor-tailed  Flycatcher. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Son.  zone  from  s.  Kan.  to  s.  Tex.;  winters  from  s.  Mex. 
to  Panama. 

444.  Tyrannus  tyrannus.    Kingbird. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Son.  zones  from  s.  B.C.,  s.  Mack.,  s.  Keew.,  n. 
Ont.,  cen.  Que.,  and  Newf.  s,  to  cen.  Fla.,  cen.  Tex.,  n.  N.M.,  and  cen. 
Ore. ;  winters  from  s.  Mex.  to  Peru  and  Bolivia. 
446.   Tyrannus  melancholicus  couchi.    Couch  Kingbird. 

Vail,  of  Low.  Rio  Grande  in  Tex.  s.  to  Vera  Cruz  and  Puebla;  winters 
in  Mex. 


ADDENDA  513 

447.  Tyrannus  verticalis.    Arkansas  Kingbird. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Son.  zones  from  s.  B.C.,  s.  Alb.,  and  s.  Sask.  s.  to 
Chihuahua  and  L.C.;  winters  from  w.  Mex.  to  Guat. 

448.  Tyrannus  vociferans.    Cassin  Kingbird. 

Breeds  in  Up.  and  Low.  Son.  zones  from  cen.  Calif,  and  s.  Wyo.  s.  to 
w.  Tex.,  N.M.,  and  Michoacan;  winters  from  s.  Calif,  and  n.  Mex.  to  Guat. ; 
casual  in  Ore.  and  n.  Calif. 

449.  Pitangus  sulphuratus  derbianus.    Derby  Flycatcher. 
Vail,  of  Low.  Rio  Grande,  Tex.,  s.  to  Costa  Rica. 

451.  Myiodynastes  luteiventris.    Sulphur-bellied  Flycatcher. 
Mts.  of  se.  Ariz.  s.  to  Pana. ;  winters  s.  of  U.S. 

452.  Myiarchus  crinitus.    Crested  Flycatcher. 

Breeds  from  Up.  Tran.  in  s.  Man.,  cen.  Ont.,  s.  Que.,  and  N.B.  s.  to 
s.  Fla.,  and  Tex.;  winters  from  e.  and  s.  Mex.  to  Pana.  and  Colombia. 

453.  Myiarchus  magister  magister.   Arizona  Crested  Flycatcher. 

S.  Ariz,  and  sw.  N.M.  s.  through  w.  Mex.  to  Oaxaca  and  Chiapas. 
453a.  Myiarchus  magister  nelsoni.    Mexican  Crested  Flycatcher. 

Vail,  of  Lpw.  Rio  Grande,  Tex.,  s.  through  e.  and  s.  Mex.  to  Guat., 
Hond.,  and  Salv. 

454.  Myiarchus  cinerascens  cinerascens.    Ash-throated  Flycatcher. 
Breeds  from  s.  Wash.,  n.  Utah.,  cen.  Colo.,  and  cen.  Tex.  to  Tamau- 

lipas,  Durango,  Sinaloa  and  n.  L.C.;  winters  s.  to  Guat.  and  Yucatan. 
455a.  Myiarchus  lawrencei  olivascens.   Olivaceous  Flycatcher. 
S.  Ariz.  s.  through  w.  Mex.  to  Oaxaca. 

456.  Sayornis  phoebe.   Phcebe. 

Breeds  from  sw.  Mack.,  Alb.,  s.  Keew.,  Ont.,  Que.,  N.S.,  and  Pr.  Edw. 
I.  s.  to  highlands  of  Ga.,  n.  Miss.,  cen.  Tex.,  and  ne.  N.M.;  winters  in 
U.S.  s.  of  lat.  37°  s.  to  Vera  Cruz  and  Oaxaca;  in  migration  casual  to 
Colo,  and  Wyo. 

457.  Sayornis  sayus.   Say  Phcebe. 

Breeds  from  cen.  Alaska,  nw.  Mack.,  ne.  Alb.,  se.  Sask.,  and  cen.  N.D. 
s.  to  w.  Kan.,  s.  N.M.,  Ariz.,  and  L.C.;  winters  from  cen.  Calif.,  s.  Ariz., 
s.  N.M.,  and  cen.  Tex.  to  Vera  Cruz,  Puebla,  and  L.C. 

458.  Sayornis  nigricans.    Black  Phoebe. 

Breeds  in  Up.  and  Low.  Son.  zones  from  Calif,  w.  of  the  Sierra  to  Cape 
San  Lucas,  e.  through  s.  Calif,  and  Ariz,  to  s.  N.M.  and  cen.  Tex.,  and 
over  Mex.  (except  Gulf  coast)  to  Yucatan. 

459.  Nuttallornis  borealis.    Olive-sided  Flycatcher. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  cen.  Alaska,  s.  Mack.,  s.  Keew. 
cen.  Que.,  and  Cape  Breton  Is.  s.  in  coniferous  forests  of  w.  U.S.  to  w. 
Tex.,  Ariz.,  and  s.  Calif.,  and  also  n.  Mich.,  N.Y.,  and  Mass.  s.  in  mts. 
to  N.C. ;  migrates  through  Mex.  and  C.  Am. ;  winters  from  Colombia  to 
Peru. 

460.  Myiochanes  pertinax  pallidiventris.    Coues  Flycatcher. 

Mts.  of  cen.  Ariz.  s.  through  Chihuahua,  Sonora,  and  Durango  to 
Tepic. 

461.  Myiochanes  virens.  Wood  Pewee. 

Breeds  from  Man.,  Ont.,  s.  Que.,  and  Prince  Edw.  I.  s.  to  cen.  Fla.  and 
s.  Tex.;  winters  from  Nicar.  to  Colombia  and  Peru;  casual  in  Colo. 

462.  Myiochanes  richardsoni  richardsoni.    Western  Wood  Pewee. 
Breeds  from  Alaska,  s.  Mack.,  cen.  Sask.,  and  s.  Man.  s.  to  n.  Mex., 

and  L.C. ;  migrates  through  Mex.  and  C.  Am.;  winters  in  Ecuad.,  Peru, 
and  Bolivia. 

463.  Empidonax  flaviventris.    Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher. 

Breeds  in  Can.  zone  from  n.  Alb.,  n.  Man.,  and  Newf.,  s.  to  N.H., 
n.  Mich.,  and  N.D. ;  winters  from  s.  Mex.,  and  Guat.  to  Pana. 

464.  Empidonax  difficilis  difficilis.    Western  Flycatcher. 

Breeds  from  Glacier  Bay,  Alaska,  se.  B.C.,  Mont.,  and  sw.  S.D.  to 
w.  Tex.  and  s.  Calif. :  winters  in  Mex.  s.  to  Cape  San  Lucas,  Tres  Marias 
I.,  and  Oaxaca. 


514  ADDENDA 

464a.  E.  d.  cineritius.    San  Lucas  Flycatcher. 

Breeds  from  San  Diego  Co.,  Calif.,  and  Hansen  Laguna  to  Cape  regioo 
of  L.C. 

466.  Empidonax  trailli  trailli.    Traill  Flycatcher. 

Breeds  from  s.  B.C.  and  Idaho  s.  to  Tamaulipas,  N.M.,  Ariz.,  and  s. 
Calif.;  winters  in  C.  Am.  s.  to  Nicar.  and  Colomb. 
466a.  E.  t.  alnorum.    Alder  Flycatcher. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Hud.  and  Can.  zones  from  cen.  Alaska,  nw.  Mack., 
s.  Keew.,  cen.  Que.,  and  Newf.  s.  to  mts.  of  W.Va.  and  to  N.J.,  s.  Ont.,, 
s.  Minn,,  and  e.  Mont.;  winters  in  C.  Am.  s.  to  Panama. 

467.  Empidonax  minimus.   Least  Flycatcher. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  Mack.,  s.  Keew.,  Que.,  and  Cape 
Breton  I.  s.  to  N.C.  (in  Allegs.),  Ind.,  cen.  Neb.,  e.  Wyo.,  and  s.  cen. 
Mont. ;  in  migration  to  e.  Colo,  and  cen.  Tex. ;  winters  from  ne.  Mex.  and 
Yucatan  to  Pana.  and  Peru. 

468.  Empidonax  hammondi.    Hammond  Flycatcher. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  se.  Alaska,  s.  Yukon,  and  cen. 
Alb.,  s.  to  Colo.,  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  n.  Mex.  to  Guat. 

469.  Empidonax  -wrighti.    Wright  Flycatcher. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  s.  B.C.  and  sw.  Sask.  s.  to  w. 
Tex.,  N.M.,  Ariz.,  and  Calif.;  winters  from  n.  to  s.  Mex. 
469.1.  Empidonax  griseus.    Gray  Flycatcher. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Boreal  zone  from  mts.  of  Ore.,  s.  Calif.,  Nev.,  Ariz.,, 
and  N.M.  s.  to  s.  end  of  Mex.  tableland;  winters  from  s.  Calif,  and  s.  Ariz.  s. 
to  Puebla  and  Tepic;  casual  in  Colo. 
470a.  Empidonax  fulvifrons  pygmceus.    Buff-breasted  Flycatcher. 

Up.  Son.  zone  from  s.  Ariz.,  N.M.,  to  s.  Durango;  winters  s.  of  U.S.  to 
Jalisco,  Tepic,  Morelos,  and  Michoacan. 

471.  Pyrocephalus  rubinus  mexicanus.    Vermilion  Flycatcher. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Son.  zone  from  se.  Calif.,  s.  Nev.,  sw.  Utah.,  Ariz.,  s. 
N.M.,  and  Tex.  s.  to  Yucatan,  Guat.  and  Hond. 

472.  Camptostoma  imberbe.    Beardless  Flycatcher. 

S.  Ariz,  and  vail,  of  Low.  Rio  Grande,  Tex.,  s.  through  Mex.  to  Guat. 
and  Nicar. 
474a.  Otocoris  alpestris  arcticola.    Pallid  Horned  Lark. 

Breeds  in  Alaska  (except  Pac.  coast)  and  in  Up.  Yukon  Vail. ;  winters  s. 
to  Ore.,  Mont.,  and  Utah. 
4746.  O.  a.  praticola.   Prairie  Horned  Lark. 

Breeds  chiefly  in  Tran.  zone  from  s.  Man.  and  s.  Que.  s.  to  Conn.,  Ohio, 
and  Kan.;  winters  s.  to  Tex.,  Tenn..  and  Ga.;  casually  to  Ariz,  and  Colo. 
474c.  O.  a.  leucolcema.  Desert  Horned  Lark. 

Breeds  chiefly  in  Tran.  zone  from  s.  Alb.  and  s.  Sask.  s.  to  w.  Kan., 
n.  N.M.,  and  s.  Nev.;  winters  s.  to  se.  Calif.,  Tex.,  and  Sonora. 
474d.  O.  a.  giraudi.    Texas  Horned  Lark. 

Low.  Son.  zone  of  coast  of  Tex.  and  Tamaulipas  from  Galveston  Bay 
to  s.  of  Rio  Grande. 
474e.  O.  a.  actia.    California  Horned  Lark. 

San  Francisco  Bay  and  San  Juaquin  Vail,  to  n.  L.C. 
474/,  O.  a.  rubea.    Ruddy  Horned  Lark. 

Sacramento  Valley,  Calif. 

4740.  O.  a.  strigata.    Streaked  Horned  Lark. 

Breeds  in  Wash,  and  Ore.  w.  of  Cascades ;  in  winter  e.  to  e.  Wash,  and 
Ore.,  s.  to  n.  Calif. 
474/i.  O.  a.  adusta.    Scorched  Horned  Lark. 

Low.  Son.  zone  in  s.  Ariz.,  N.M.,  and  n.  cen.  Mex. 

4741.  O.  a.  merrilli.  Dusky  Horned  Lark. 

Breeds  chiefly  in  semi-arid  Tran.  zone  from  s.  B.C.  and  nw.  Idaho  to 
ne  Calif,  (e.  of  Cascades)  and  nw.  Nev. ;  winters  s.  to  Cen.  Calif. 
474;.  O.  a.  pallida.    Sonora  Horned  Lark. 

Low.  Colo.  Vail,  from  s.  Nev.  to  head  of  Gulf  of  Calif. 


ADDENDA  515 

474k.  O.  a.  hoyti.   Hoyt  Horned  Lark. 

Breeds  n.  to  limit  of  trees  from  mouth  of  Mack.,  to  w.  shore  of  Hud. 
Bay;  winters  s.  to  Nev.,  Utah.,  Kan.,  and  Mich. 
4741.  O.  a.  occidentalism    Montezuma  Horned  Lark. 

Cen.  Ariz,  and  N.M.,  migrating  into  w.  Tex.,  Sonora,  and  Chihuahua. 
474m.  O.  a.  insularis.  Island  Horned  Lark. 

Resident  on  Santa  Barbara  Is.,  Calif.;  occurs  in  winter  on  neighboring 
mainland. 

475.  Pica  pica  hudsonia.    Black-billed  Magpie. 

Mainly  Boreal  and  Tran.  zones  from  e.  Aleutians,  mid.  Yukon,  cen. 
Alb.,  s.  Sask.,  and  Lake  Winnipeg  s.  (between  e.  slope  of  Cascades  and 
Sierra  Nev.  and  w.  N.D.  and  w.  Tex.)  to  N.M.  and  Ariz. 

476.  Pica  nuttalli.    Yellow-billed  Magpie. 

Son.  zones  of  Calif,  w.  of  Sierra  Nev.  from  Tehama  Co.  to  Ventura  and 
Kern  cos.,  chiefly  in  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin  valleys. 

477.  Cyanocitta  cristata  cristata.    Blue  Jay. 

Breeds  from  cen.  Alb.,  s.  Keew.,  Que.,  N.8.,  and  Newf.  s.  to  Gulf  States 
(except  Fla.),  west  to  cen.  Tex.,  e.  Colo.,  and  S.D.;  casual  in  N.M. 

478.  Cyanocitta  stelleri  stelleri.    Steller  Jay. 

Pac.  coast  from  Cook  Inlet,  Alaska  s.  into  Ore.  (including  Vane,  and 
other  islands  except  Prince  of  Wales  and  Queen  Charlotte). 
478a.  C.  s.  frontalis.    Blue-fronted  Jay. 

Can.  and  Tran.  zones  of  inner  coast  ranges  of  n.  Calif.,  and  both  slopes 
of  Sierra  Nev.  from  Mt.  Shasta  to  San  Jacinto  and  San  Pedro  Martir 
Mts.,  L.C. 
4786.  C.  s.  diademata.    Long-crested  Jay. 

Can.  and  Tran.  zones  of  s.  Rocky  Mts.  from  Wasatch  Mts.,  Utah,  and 
s.  Wyo.,  s.  to  Zacatecas  and  Jalisco. 
478c.  C.  s.  annectens.    Black-headed  Jay. 

Can.  zone  of  n.  Rocky  Mts.  from  B.C.  to  ne.  Ore.,  Idaho,  and  Wyo.; 
casual  in  Utah  in  winter. 
478e.  C.  s.  carbonacea.    Coast  Jay. 

Breeds  in  humid  Pac.  coast  strip  from  w.  Ore.  to  Santa  Lucia  Mts., 
Calif.,  and  e.  to  mts.  on  w.  side  of  Napa  Vail. ;  in  winter  e.  to  Gabilan  and 
Mt.  Diablo  ranges. 

480.  Aphelocoma  woodhousei.    Woodhouse  Jay. 

Up.  Son.  zone  of  Gt.  Basin  and  adjacent  arid  region,  breeding  in  Up. 
Son.  zone  from  se.  Ore.,  s.  Idaho,  and  s.  Wyo.  s.  to  w.  Tex.,  N.M.,  Ariz., 
and  se.  Calif,  (e.  of  Sierra  Nev.). 
480.2.  Aphelocoma  texana.    Texas  Jay. 

Cen.  and  w.  Tex.  from  Kerr  and  Sutton  cos.  w.  to  Davis  Mts. 

481.  Aphelocoma  californica  californica.    California  Jay. 

Up.  Son.  zone  of  Ore.  and  Calif,  from  Columbia  R.  s.  including  both 
slopes  of  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nev.  to  San  Bernardino. 
4816.  A.  c.  obscura.    Belding  Jay. 

S.  coast  district  of  Calif,  from  San  Fernando  and  San  Bernardino  Mts. 
s.  to  s.  end  of  San  Pedro  Martir  Mts.,  L.C. 
481.1.  Aphelocoma  insularis.   Santa  Cruz  Jay. 

Santa  Cruz  I.,  Calif. 

482.  Aphelocoma  sieberi  arizonce.   Arizona  Jay. 

Up.  Son.  zone  in  s.  Ariz.,  N.M.,  Sonora,  and  Chihuahua. 
482a.  A.  s.  couchi.    Couch  Jay. 

Up.  Son.  zone  from  Chicos  Mts.,  sw.  Tex.,  to  s.  Nuevo  Leon  and  n. 
Coahuila. 

483.  Xanthoura  luxuosa  glaucescens.    Green  Jay. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  lower  Rio  Grande  Vail.,  Tex.  (from  Laredo)  s.  to 
Tamaulipas  and  Nuevo  Leon,  Mex. 

484.  Perisoreus  canadensis  canadensis.    Canada  Jay. 

Breeds  from  limit  of  conifers  in  nw.  Mack,  and  cen.  Keew.  and  from 
n.  Que.,  s.  to  N.S.,  Me.,  N.Y.  (Adirondacks) ,  Mich.,  and  w.  cen.  Alb. 
Recorded  from  Turtle  Mts.,  N.D. 


516  ADDENDA 

484a.  P.  c.  capitalis.    Rocky  Mountain  Jay. 

Boreal  zones  of  Rocky  Mt.  region  from  cen.  B.C.,  s.  Alb.,  and  sw. 
S.D.  s.  to  N.M.  and  Ariz.;  in  winter  to  nw.  Neb. 

485.  Perisoreus  obscurus  obscurus.   Oregon  Jay. 

Pac.  coast  Boreal  zone  from  sw.  B.C.  to  Mendocino  Co.,  Calif. 
485a.  P.  o.  griseus.   Gray  Jay. 

Interior  Boreal  zone  of  s.  B.C.  s.  in  Cascades  to  n.  Calif.;  casual  in 
Sierra  to  Lake  Tahoe. 

486.  Corvus  corax  sinuatus.    Raven. 

Ore.,  Mont.,  and  S.D.,  s.  to  Honduras,  and  e.  probably  to  Mo.,  111., 
and  Ind. 
486a.  C.  c.  principalis.    Northern  Raven. 

Nw.  Alaska,  Melville  I.,  Ellesmere  Land,  and  n.  Greenl.  s.  to  Ga.  (in 
higher  Alleg.),  coast  of  Va.  and  N.J.,  cen.  Minn.,  and  Wash. 

487.  Corvus  cryptoleucus.    White-necked  Raven. 

Low.  Son.  deserts,  breeding  from  se.  Calif,  and  Ariz,  to  w.  Tex.,  s.  to 
Guanajuato  and  Michoacan,  Mex. 

488.  Corvus  brachyrhynchos  brachyrhynchos.    Crow. 

Breeds  from  sw.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  cen.  Que.,  and  Newf.  s.  to  Gulf 
coast  (except  Fla.)  and  s.  Tex. ;  winters  from  near  the  n.  boundary  of  the 
U.S.  s. 
4886.  C.  b.  hesperis.    Western  Crow. 

E.  cen.  B.C.  and  Mont.  s.  to  w.  Tex.,  Ariz.,  and  s.  Calif. 

489.  Corvus  caurinus.   Northwestern  Crow. 

Nw.  coast  from  Kadiak  I.  and  Kukak  Bay  to  Puget  Sound. 

491.  Nucifraga  columbiana.   Clarke  Nutcracker. 

Summers  in  Boreal  zones  from  Bristol  Bay,  Alaska,  w.  cen.  Alb.,  and 
sw.  S.D.  (Black  Hills)  s.  to  high  mts.  of  N.M.,  Ariz.,  and  s.  Calif.  Breeds 
early  in  Tran.  zone. 

492.  Cyanocephalus  cyanocephalus.    Pinon  Jay. 

Mainly  Up.  Son.  zone,  breeding  chiefly  in  pinon  and  juniper  belt  of  mts. 
from  cen.  Wash.,  Idaho,  and  cen.  Mont.  s.  to  w.  Tex.,  s.  N.M.,  Ariz.,  and 
n.  L.C.  and  from  Sierra-Cascade  Range  e.  to  e.  base  of  Rocky  Mts.; 
casual  on  coast  of  Calif.,  e.  Neb.,  and  Kan. 

494.  Dolichonyx  oryzivorus.   Bobolink. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  from  se.  B.C.  and  cen.  Sask.  to  Que.,  and 
Cape  Breton  I.,  s.  to  N.J.,  Ohio,  III.,  Utah,  and  ne.  Ney.  and  se.  Ore.; 
winters  in  S.  Am.  to  s.  Brazil,  Bolivia,  and  Paraguay;  in  migration  to 
W.I.  and  e.  coast  of  C.  Am. ;  casual  in  Calif. 

495.  Molothrus  ater  ater.   Cowbird. 

Breeds  from  s.  Mack.,  s.  Keew.,  Ont.,  Que.,  and  N.B.  s.  to  N.C.,  La., 
Tex.,  n.  N.M.,  Nev.,  and  n.  Calif.;  winters  from  se.  Calif,  and  Ohio  and 
Potomac  valleys  to  Gulf  coast  and  cen.  Mex. 
495a.  Molothrus  ater  obscurus.    Dwarf  Cowbird. 

Se.  Calif,  and  s.  Nev.  to  s.  Tex.  and  s.  to  Oaxaca,  Colima,  and  Jalisco. 

496.  Tangavius  ceneus  involucratus.    Red-eyed  Cowbird. 

San  Antonio,  Tex.  s.  through  e.  Mex.,  Yucatan,  and  C.  Am.  to  Pana. 
496a.   T.  a.  ceneus.    Bronzed  Cowbird. 
S.  Ariz,  to  nw.  Mex. 

497.  Xanthocephalus  xanthocephalus.    Yellow-headed  Blackbird. 
Breeds  from  s.  B.C.,  s.  Mack.,  sw.  Keew.,  n.  Minn.,  and  Ind.,  s.  to  sw. 

Mex.,  Ariz.,  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  sw.  Calif.,  s.  Ariz.,  and  sw.  La. 

s.  to  Puebla,  Michoacan,  and  Jalisco. 

498a.  Agelaius  phceniceus  sonoriensis.    Sqnora  Red-wing. 

S.  Calif.  (Low.  Colo.  Vail.)  and  s.  Ariz.,  and  s.  over  coastal  plain  of 
Sonora  to  Tepic. 
498d.  A.p.fortis.   Thick-billed  Red-wing. 

Breeds  from  cen.  Mack,  and  s.  Keew.  through  Idaho,  Mont.,  and  Wyo. 
s.  to  ne.  Colo,  and  n.  Tex.;  winters  principally  in  s.  part  of  breeding 
range,  wandering  irregularly  e. 


ADDENDA  517 

498e.  A.  p.  neutralis.   San  Diego  Red-wing. 

Breeds  from  e.  B.C.  s.  to  w.  Tex.,  N.M.,  Chihuahua,  and  n.  L.C.-  win- 
ters e.  to  Low.  Rio  Grande,  Tex. 
498/.  A.  p.  caurinus.    Northwestern  Red-wing. 

Nw.  coast  from  B.C.  to  Mendocino  Co.,  Calif. 
4980.  A.  p.  richmondi.    Vera  Cruz  Red-wing. 

S.  coast  and  Low.  Rio  Grande  Vail.  s.  through  e.  Mex.  to  Yucatan  and 
e.  Guat. ;  winters  s.  to  e.  Nicar.  and  C.R. 

499.  Agelaius  gubernator  californicus.    Bicolored  Red-wing. 

Vails,  of  Calif,  w.  of  Sierra  Nev.,  straggling  to  San  Diego  and  Owens 
Lake,  and  to  Casa  Grande,  w.  Ariz. ;  recorded  as  breeding  at  Cape  Disap- 
pointment, Wash. 

500.  Agelaius  tricolor.   Tricolored  Red-wing. 

Vails  of  nw.  Ore.  (w.  of  Cascades)  s.  through  Calif,  (w.  of  Sierra  Nev ) 
to  n.  L.C. 
501a.  Sturnella  magna  hoopesi.    Rio  Grande  Meadowlark. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  n.  cen.  Ariz.,  s.  N.M.,  and  s.  Tex.  s.  into  n.  Mex. 
501.1.  Sturnella  neglecta.  Western  Meadowlark. 

Breeds  from  s.  B.C.,  cen.  Alb.,  and  s.  Man.  s.  to  cen.  Tex.,  n.  Mex., 
and  8.  Calif. ;  winters  from  s.  B.C.  and  Iowa  s.  to  Guanajuato,  Jalisco,  and 
s.  L.C. 

503.  Icterus  melanocephalus  auduboni.    Audubon  Oriole. 

Low.  Son.  zone  in  Low.  Rio  Grande  Vail.,  Tex.,  (casually  to  San  An- 
tonio) and  s.  in  Mex.  to  Tamaulipas  and  Nuevo  Leon  and,  at  least  in  win- 
ter, to  San  Luis  Potosi. 

504.  Icterus  parisorum.    Scott  Oriole. 

Low.  Son.  zon?  from  s.  Calif,  to  N.M.  and  w.  Tex.  s.  to  Vera  Cruz, 
Michoacan.  and  L.C.;  winters  s.  of  U.S. 

505.  Icterus  cucullatus  sennetti.    Sennett  Oriole. 

Low.  Son.  zone  in  Low.  Rio  Grande  Vail.,  Tex.,  and  Tamaulipas,  Mex.; 
winters  s.  of  U.S.  to  Morelos. 
505a.  /.  c.  nelsoni.  Arizona  Hooded  Oriole. 

Low.  Son.  zone  of  sw.  Calif.,  s.  Ariz.,  and  sw.  N.M.  s.  to  Tepic  and 
L.C.;  winters  s.  of  U.S.;  casual  in  cen.  Calif. 

507.  Icterus  galbula.    Baltimore  Oriole. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  from  cen.  Alb.  e.  to  Ont.  and  N.S., 
s.  to  n.  Ga.,  cen.  La.,  and  n.  Tex. 

508.  Icterus  bullocki.    Bullock  Oriole. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Tran.  and  Son.  zones  from  s.  B.C.  to  Sask.  and  s.  (as  far 
e.  as  e.  S.D.,  cen.  Neb.,  and  w.  Kan.)  to  s.  Tex.,  n.  Durango,  and  Sonora. 

509.  Euphagus  carolinus.    Rusty  Blackbird. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zone  from  Kowak  R.,  Alaska,  n.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew., 
and  n.  Ung.  s.  to  N.S.,  n.  N.E.,  N.Y.,  cen.  Ont.,  s.  Keew.,  and  cen.  Alb. 
to  s.  Alaska;  winters  mainly  s.  of  Ohio  and  Del.  vails,  to  Gulf  coast;  w. 
in  migration  to  Plains;  casual  in  B.C.,  Mont.,  and  Colo. 

510.  Euphagus  cyanocephalus.    Brewer  Blackbird. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  from  cen.  B.C.,  Alb.,  and  sw.  Keew.  s.  to 
w.  Tex.,  N.M.,  and  n.  L.C.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.  and  Kan.,  s.  to  Guat. 
51 1&.  Quiscalus  quiscula  ceneus.  Bronzed  Grackle. 

Breeds  from  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  cen.  Keew.,  N.S.,  and  Newf.  se.  to  Mass., 
N.Y.,  (s.  of  N.Y.  breeds  only  w.  of  Alleg.),  n.  parts  of  Gulf  States,  Colo., 
and  Mont,  (east  of  Rocky  Mts.) ;  winters  from  Ohio  Vail.  s.  to  s.  Tex. 
513a.  Megaquiscalus  major  macrourus.    Great-tailed  Grackle. 

N.  Mex.  and  s.  Tex.  s.  through  s.  Mex.,  Yucatan,  and  C.  Am.  to  n. 
Colombia,  and  w.  over  s.  part  of  Mex.  tableland  to  Michoacan  and 
Jalisco. 
514a.  Hesperiphona  vespertina  montana.    Western  Evening  Grosbeak. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Hud.  and  Can.  zones  from  s.  B.C.  and  nw.  Mont.,  s. 
tow.  cen.  Chihuahua  and  Sierra  of  cen.  Calif.;  winters  irregularly  over 
w.  U.S.  and  n.  Mex.  w.  of  Plains. 


518  ADDENDA 

515a.  Pinicola  enucleator  montana.    Rocky  Mountain  Pine  Grosbeak. 

Breeds  on  Boreal  summits  of  Rocky  Mts.  from  Alb.,  Mont.,  and  Idaho 
to  N.M. 
515&.  P.  e.  californica.    California  Pine  Grosbeak. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zone  of  cen.  Sierra  Nev.  from  Placer  Co.  to  Fresno  Co. 
515c.  P.  e.  alascensis.  Alaska  Pine  Grosbeak. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zone  from  Alaska  and  Mack,  to  Wash.;  winters  to 
Mont,  and  B.C. 

517.  Carpodacus  purpureus  purpureus.    Purple  Finch. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  cen.  B.C.,  ne.  Alb.,  n.  Ont.,  cen. 
Que.,  and  Newf.  s.  to  L.I.,  Pa.  (mts.),  n.  111.,  N.D.  (Turtle  Mts.),  and  s. 
Alb. 
517a.  C.  p.  californicus.    California  Purple  Finch. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  from  s.  B.C.  and  Vancouver  I.  to 
the  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nev.  Mts.  and  Riverside  Co.,  in  winter  to  Calif, 
and  Ariz. 

518.  Carpodacus  cassini.    Cassin  Purple  Finch. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zones  of  mts.  from  s.  B.C.,  nw.  Mont,  and  ne.  Wyo. 
B.  to  n.  N.M.,  cen.  Ariz.,  and  n.  L.C.;  winters  from  cen.  Calif,  and  s. 
Ariz.  s.  over  Mex.  plateau  to  Mt.  Orizaba,  San  Luis  Potosi,  and  Vail,  of  Mex. 

519.  Carpodacus  mexicanus  frontalis.   House  Finch. 

Up.  and  Low.  Son.  zones  from  Ore.,  Idaho,  e.  Wyo.  (and  e.  to  Plains 
in  w.  Kan.  and  mid.  Tex.)  s.  to  n.  Mex.  and  n.  half  of  L.C. 
519c.  C.  m.  dementis.    San  Clemente  House  Finch. 

Santa  Barbara  Is.,  Calif.,  and  Coronados,  Todos  Santos,  and  Cerros 
Is.,  L.C. 

521.  Loxia  curvirostra  minor.    Crossbill. 

Breeds  from  cen.  Alaska,  n.  Mack.,  cen.  Ung.,  and  Newf.  s.  in  Alleg. 
to  n.  Ga.,  Mich.,  s.  Colo.,  and  Sierra  Nev.  and  San  Bernardino  Mts.; 
winters  irregularly  to  Fla.,  La.,  n.  Tex.,   N.  M.,  and  s.  Calif.;  casual  in 
L.C.,  etc. 
52 la.  L.  c.  stricklandi.    Mexican  Crossbill. 

High  mts.  of  Ariz.  (San  Francisco,  Chiricahua,  Santa  Catalina,'  and 
Mogollon),  cen.  N.M.,  w.  Tex.,  and  higher  mts.  of  Mex.  to  Guat. 

522.  Loxia  leucoptera.    White-winged  Crossbill. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zones  from  limit  of  trees  n.  Alaska  to  n.  Ung.,  s.  to 
N.S.,  White  Mts.,  Adirondacks,  cen.  Ont.,  s.  Alb.,  and  s.  B.C.;  winters 
in  much  of  its  breeding  area  and  s.  irregularly  to  Ore.  (Cascades),  Nev., 
Colo.,  Kan.,  s.  111.,  Ohio,  and  N.C. 

524.  Leucosticte  tephrocotis  tephrocotis.    Gray-crowned  Rosy  Finch. 
Breeds  in  Alpine  zone  in  mts.  of  e.  cen.  Alaska,  w.  cen.  Yukon,  w.  Alb., 

and  higher  parts  of  the  White  and  Sierra  Nevada  Mts.  of  Calif. ;  in  winter, 
and  in  migration  w.  to  Cascades,  n.  to  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  e.  to  Sask.  plains 
and  Man.,  and  s.  to  w.  Neb.,  Colo.,  and  Utah. 
524a.  L.  t.  littoralis.    Hepburn  Rosy  Finch. 

Occurs  in  summer  and  probably  breeds  above  timberline  in  mts.  from 
Alaska  Penin.  e.  and  s.  to  Ore.;  winters  from  Kadiak  to  Vancouver  I., 
and  se.  in  mts.  to  Ore.,  Nev.,  Utah,  and  Colo. 

525.  Leucosticte  atrata.    Black  Rosy  Finch. 

N.  Rocky  Mts.,  breeding  in  Salmon  R.  Mts.,  Idaho,  Uintah  Mts.,  n. 
Utah,  and  probably  other  ranges;  winters  to  s.  Utah,  Colo.,  and  se.  Wyo. 

526.  Leucosticte  australis.    Brown-capped  Rosy  Finch. 

Breeds  in  Alpine  zone  of  mts.  of  Colo,  and  perhaps  n.  N.  Mex. ;  win- 
ters mostly  in  vails,  of  Colo,  and  s.  into  N.M. 
527a.  Acanthis  hornemanni  exilipes.    Hoary  Redpoll. 

Arctic  Am.  and  ne.  Asia.    Breeds  in  Am.  from  w.  Alaska  to  Ung. ;  win- 
ters occasionally  s.  to  B.C.,  Mont.,  n.  Minn.,  Ont.,  Me.,  and  Mass. 
528.  Acanthis  linaria  linaria.    Redpoll. 

N.  part  of  N.  Hemis.  Breeds  in  N.  Am.  in  Boreal  zones  from  nw.  Alas- 
ka, n.  Mack.,  and  n.  Ung.  s.  to  Gulf  of  St.  Lawr.,  cen.  Keew.,  and  n.  Alb.; 


ADDENDA  519 

winters  in  n.  parts  of  U.S.,  irregularly  s.  to  Lassen  Co.,  Calif.,  se.  Ore., 

Colo.,  Kan.,  Ohio,  and  Va. 

5286.  Acanthis  linaria  rostrata.   Greater  Redpoll. 

Resident  in  Greenland.  In  winter  s.  through  Man.,  Ont.,  Que.,  and 
Ung.  s.  to  Mass.,  n.  Ind.,  and  Colo. 

529.  Astragalinus  tristis  tristis.    Goldfinch. 

Breeds  in  low.  Can.,  Tran.  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  from  s.  Man.,  cen.  Que., 
and  Newf.  s.  to  n.  Ga.,  cen.  Ark.,  s.  Okla.,  and  e.  Colo. 
529a.  A.  t.  pallidus.   Pale  Goldfinch. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  of  Rocky  Mt.  plateau  from  se.  B.C.  and 
sw.  Man.  s.  to  s.  Colo,  and  cen.  Nev. ;  in  winter  s.  to  Tex.  and  Vera  Cruz. 
5296.  A.  t.  salicamans.  Willow  Goldfinch. 

Pac.  coast  region,  from  Wash,  to  s.  Calif. ;  in  winter  to  cen.  L.C. 

530.  Astragalinus  psaltria  psaltria.   Arkansas  Goldfinch. 

N.  Colo,  to  cen.  n.  Tex.  and  s.  throughout  Mex.,  except  nw.  and  extreme 
s.  portions;  casual  in  Wyo. 
530a.  A.  p.  hesperophilus.  Green-backed  Goldfinch. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  from  s.  Ore.  and  Utah  to  extreme 
sw.  N.M.,  Sonora,  and  s.  L.C. ;  winters  from  cen.  Calif,  to  Cape  San  Lucas. 

531.  Astragalinus  lawrencei.    Lawrence  Goldfinch. 

Breeds  in  Son.  zones  from  about  lat.  40°  in  Calif.,  w.  of  Sierra  Nev.  s. 
into  n.  L.C.;  winters  over  most  of  its  breeding  range  and  e.  to  Ariz,  and 
w.  N.M. 

533.  Spinus  pinus.    Pine  Siskin. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Can.  zone  from  cen.  Alaska,  s.  Mack.,  s.  Keew.,  and 
s.  Ung.  s.  to  N.S.  (in  mts.  to  N.C.),  n.  Mich.,  s.  N.M.,  and  higher  mts.  of 
w.  U.S.  to  San  Pedro  Martir,  L.C.;  occurs  in  winter  over  most  of  U.S.  s. 
to  w.  Mex. ;  casual  in  s.  L.C. 

.  .  .  Passer  domesticus.    English  Sparrow.        • 

Europe,  in  general,  except  Italy;  introduced  and  naturalized  in  Can. 
and  U.S.  from  Atl.  to  Pac.;  also  Bahamas,  Cuba,  Bermudas,  N.S.,  and 
s.  Greenl. 

534.  Plectrophenax  nivalis  nivalis.    Snow  Bunting. 

N.  Hemis.  In  N.  Am.  breeds  in  Arctic  zone  from  at  least  83°  to  n.  parts 
of  mainland  from  Alaska  to  Ung. ;  winters  from  Unalaska,  s.  Alb.,  s.  Keew., 
and  s.  Ung.  s.  to  n.  U.S.  and  irregularly  to  Fla.,  s.  Ind.,  Kan.,  Colo.,  and  n. 
Calif. 

536.  Calcarius  lapponicus  lapponicus.    Lapland  Longspur. 

N.  Hemis.  In  N.  Am.  breeds  from  about  lat.  73°  on  Arctic  Is.  etc.  and 
s.  ton.  Ung.,  cen.  Keew.,  and  limit  of  trees  in  Mack,  (at  least  to  long.  120°); 
winters  from  s.  Que.,  and  n.  cen.  U.S.  irregularly  to  Mid.  States  and  Tex. 
536a.  C.  I.  alascensis.  Alaska  Longspur.  0 

Breeds  in  n.  Alaska,  including  the  Pribilof,  Aleutian,  and  Shumagin 
Is.,  and  e.  to  mouth  of  Mack.  R. ;  winters  s.  to  e.  Ore.,  Nev.,  Colo.,  and 
w.  Kan. ;  in  migration  e.  to  Ft.  Resolution. 

537.  Calcarius  pictus.    Smith  Longspur. 

Breeds  in  Arctic  zone  on  barren  grounds  from  Ft.  Anderson,  Mack., 
e.  to  Hud.  Bay;  has  been  taken  at  Ft.  Yukon;  winters  from  Kan.  to  cen. 
Tex. ;  e.  in  migration  to  prairies  of  111.  and  Ind. 

538.  Calcarius  ornatus.   Chestnut-collared  Longspur. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  from  Mont.,  se.  Alb.,  s.  Sask.,  and 
Man.  s.  to  Minn.,  cen.  Kan.,  and  e.  cen.  Wyo.;  winters  from  Colo.,  Neb., 
and  Iowa  to  Ariz.,  Sonora,  and  s.  end  of  Mex.  tableland. 

539.  Rhynchophanes  mccowni.    McCown  Longspur. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  of  Gt.  Plains  region  from  cen.  Alb.  and  s. 
Sask.  s.  to  sw.  Minn.,  ne.  Colo.,  and  se.  Wyo.;  winters  from  Colo,  and 
Kan.  s.  through  Tex.  and  Ariz,  to  Durango  and  n.  Sonora;  casual  in  migra- 
tion to  e.  B.C.,  Idaho,  and  111. 

540.  Pooecetes  gramineus  gramineus.  Vesper  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  low.  Can.,  Tran.,  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  from  sw.  Keew.,  cen. 


520  ADDENDA 

Ont.,  and  Cape  Breton  I.  s.  to  N.C.,  Ky.,  Neb.,  and  w.  Minn.;  winters 
from  s.  part  of   its  breeding  range  to  Gulf  coast,  w.  to  mouth  of   Rio 
Grande  in  Tex. 
540a.  P.  g.  confinis.  Western  Vesper  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  low.  Can.,  Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  from  se.  B.C.,  ne.  Alb., 
and  s.  Sask.  s.  to  Tex.,  N.M.,  Ariz.,  and  mid.  e.  Calif.;  winters  from  s. 
Calif,  and  cen.  Tex.  to  s.  Mex.  and  L.C. 
5406.  P.  g.  affinis.    Oregon  Vesper  Sparrow. 

Breeds  from  B.C.  to  nw.  Ore. ;  winters  from  s.  Calif,  to  Cape  San  Lucas. 

542.  Passerculus  sandwichensis  sandwichensis.    Aleutian  Savannah  Spar- 
row. 

Breeds  on  Unalaska  and  contiguous  islands ;  winters  e.  and  s.  along  coast 
of  B.C.,  rarely  to  n.  Calif. 
5426.  P.  s.  alaudinus.    Western  Savannah  Sparrow. 

Breeds  from  Arctic  coast  of  Alaska  and  Mack,  to  w.  border  of  Plains 
(in  migration  to  middle)   and  s.  to  s.  part  of   Mex.  tableland;  winters 
from  n.  Calif,  and  n.  Tex.  to  Mex.  (except  tropical  border)  and  L.C. 
and  s.  to  Guat. 
542c.  P.  s.  bryanti.    Bryant  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  salt  marshes  from  Humboldt  Bay  to  San  Francisco  Bay;  win- 
ters along  coast  to  s.  Calif. ;  occasional  in  Vail,  of  Mex. 
542d.  P.  s.  nevadensis.    Nevada  Savannah  Sparrow. 

Humboldt  and  Washoe  counties,  Nev.,  and  probably  throughout  Gt. 
Basin,  s.  in  winter  to  Colo.  Desert  and  Los  Angeles  Co.,  Calif. 

543.  Passerculus  beldingi.    Belding  Sparrow. 

Salt  marshes  of  s.  Calif,  and  L.C.  from  Santa  Barbara  to  Todos  Santos 
I.  and  San  Quintin  Bay. 

544.  Passerculus  rostratus  rostratus.    Large-billed  Sparrow. 

Coast  of  s.  Calif,  and  L.C.  Breeding  range  unknown;  winters  from 
Santa  Cruz  s.  along  both  coasts  of  L.C.  to  Cape  San  Lucas,  and  on  Todos 
Santos  I.  and  coast  of  Sonora  to  Guaymas;  casual  in  Ariz. 

545.  Ammodramus  bairdi.    Baird  Sparrow. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  from  sw.  Sask.  and  sw.  Keew.  to  nw. 
Minn.,  pen.  N.D.,  and  cen.  Mont.;  migrates  through  Ariz,  and  N.M.  and 
winters  from  cen.  Tex.  to  Chihuahua  and  n.  Sonora. 
546a.  Ammodramus    savannarum    bimaculatus.       Western    Grasshopper 
Sparrow. 

Breeds  in   Tran.  and  Aus.  zones  from   se.   B.C.,  nw.  Mont.,  and   s. 
Minn.  s.  to  s.  Tex.  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  s.  Calif,  and  s.  Tex.  s.  to 
Cape  San  Lucas,  Guat.,  and  C.R. 
547a.  Passerherbulus  henslowi  occidentalis.    Western  Henslow  Sparrow. 

Breeds  from  S.Dak.  tan.  Tex.;  winters  in  se.  Tex. 
548.  Passerherbulus  lecontei.    Leconte  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  Mack.,  s.  Sask., 
and  Man.  s.  to  s.  Minn,  and  N.D. ;  winters  from  s.  Kan.  and  s.  Mo.  to 
coast  of  S.C.,  Fla.,  and  Tex. 
549.1.  Passerherbulus  nelsoni.    Nelson  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  prairie  marshes  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  Gt.  Slave  Lake 
and  w.  cen.  Alb.  to  ne.  S.D.  and  sw.  Man.;  winters  on  Atl.  and  Gulf 
coasts  from  N.C.  to  Fla.  and  Tex. 
5506.  Passerherbulus  maritimus  sennetti.    Texas  Seaside  Sparrow- 

Coast  of  Tex.  from  Galveston  sw.  at  least  to  Corpus  Christi. 
552a.  Chondestes  grammacus  strigatus.    Western  Lark  Sparrow. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Sonoran  zones  from  s.  B.C.  and  s.  Sask.  s.  (as  far  e.  as 
cen.  N.D.  and  e.  Tex.)  to  Mex.  tableland  (Coahuila,  Durango,  and  Chi- 
huahua) ;  winters  from  n.  Cal.  and  s.  Tex.  through  L.C.  and  s.  Mex.  to 
Guat. 
553.  Zonotrichia  querula.    Harris  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Hud.  zone  at  Ft.  Churchill,  Hud.  Bay,  Artillery  Lake,  Mack., 
and  probably  to  Gt.  Bear  Lake;  winters  to  s.  Ariz,  and  s.  Tex. 


ADDENDA  521 

554.  Zonotrichia  leucophrys  leucophrys.    White-crowned  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Hud.  and  Can.  zones  from  limit  of  trees  in  cen.  Keew.  and 
n.  Ung.  s.  to  s.  Greenl.,  cen.  Que.,  se.  Keew.;  and  in  high  mts.  from  s. 
Ore.  to  cen.  Calif.,  and  e.  to  Wyo.  and  s.  N.M.;  winters  from  n.  L.C.,  s. 
Ariz.,  s.  Kan.,  and  Ohio  Vail,  (casually  from  Potomac  Vail.)  s.  to  La.  and 
Miss,  and  over  Mex.  plateau  to  Guanajuato,  Jalisco,  and  Sinaloa. 
554a.  Z.  I.  gambeli.  Gambel  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zones  from  limit  of  trees  in  nw.  Alaska  and  n.  Mack. 
s.  to  Alberta  and  Ore.;  w.  to  B.C.  and  coast  mts.  of  sw.  Alaska;  win- 
ters from  n.  Calif,  and  Utah  s.  to  San  Luis  Potosi,  Mazatlan,  L.C., 
and  outlying  islands;  casual  in  migration  to  e.  Tex.,  Kan.,  Minn.,  and 
Iowa. 
5546.  Z.  I.  nuttalli.  Nuttall  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Humid  Tran.  zone  from  Port  Simpson,  B.C.,  to  San  Luis 
Obispo  Co.,  Calif.;  winters  from  cen.  Ore.  s.  to  Santa  Marg.  I.,  L.C. 

557.  Zonotrichia  coronata.    Golden-crowned  Sparrow. 

Breeds  from  Kotzebue  Sound  along  coast  to  B.C.;  winters  from  Wash, 
to  San  Pedro  Martir  Mts.,  L.C.;  in  migration  e.  to  e.  cen.  Alaska  and  w. 
Alb.,  straggling  e.  to  Colo. 

558.  Zonotrichia  albicollis.    White-throated  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Hud.  zones  from  n.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  and  s.  Ung. 
s.  to  Me.,  s.  Ont.  (in  rnts.  to  Mass.,  N.Y.,  and  n.  Pa.),  cen.  Minn.,  s.  Mont., 
and  cen.  Alb.;  winters  from  Mo.,  Ohio  Vail.,  Pa.,  -Conn.,  and  Mass.  s. 
to  Fla.  and  ne.  Mex.;  casual  in  Ore.,  Calif.,  Utah,  and  Colo. 
559a.  Spizella  monticola  ochracea.    Western  Tree  Sparrow. 

Breeds  from  coast  of  Bering  Sea  e.  to  Anderson  River  and  s.  in  mts. 
4o  cen.  B.C.;  winters  through  w.  N.A.  to  Ariz.,  N.M.,  cen.  Tex.,  and  e. 
to  S.D.,  and  Kan. 
560a.  Spizella  passerina  arizonoe.    Western  Chipping  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Can.,  Tran.,  and  Up.  Son.  zones  from  Yukon,  Mack.,  and 
ne.  Alb.  e.  to  e.  Colo,  and  s.  to  Chihuahua;  winters  from  s.  Calif,  and 
cen.  Tex.  s.  to  Cape  San  Lucas,  Puebla,  Michoacan,  and  Oaxaca. 

561.  Spizella  pallida.    Clay-colored  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  se.  Mack,  and  sw.  Keew.  to  Mich., 
111.,  Neb.,  se.  Colo.,  and  w.  Mont.;  winters  in  Mex.  s.  to  Cape  San  Lucas, 
Guanajuato,  Puebla,  Oaxaca,  and  Chiapas. 

562.  Spizella  breweri.    Brewer  Sparrow. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  from  se.  B.C.,  w.  cen.  Alb.,  e.  cen.  Mont., 
and  nw.  Neb.  s.  to  N.M.,  s.  Ariz.,  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  Calif,  and 
Tex.  s.  through  L.C.  and  w.  border  of  Mex.  tablelands  to  Jalisco. 
563a.  Spizella  pusilla  arenacea.    Western  Field  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Up.  Aus.  zone  from  se.  Mont,  and  sw.  N.D.  to  cen.  N.C.;  win- 
ters from  s.  of  its  breeding  range  to  La.,  s.  Tex.,  and  Nuevo  Leon. 

564.  Spizella  wortheni.    Worthen  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Up.  Son.  zone  from  Silver  City,  N.M.,  to  Tamaulipas;  winters 
s.  to  s.  Puebla. 

565.  Spizella  atrogularis.    Black-chinned  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Up.  Son.  zone  in  desert  and  coast  ranges  of  s.  Calif.,  Ariz., 
and  s.  N.M.  to  n.  L.C.  and  s.  over  Mex.  tableland  to  Puebla  and  Michoacan; 
winters  in  s.  part  of  breeding  range  and  s.  to  Cape  San  Lucas. 

566.  Junco  aikeni.    White-winged  Junco. 

Central  Rocky  Mt.  region.  Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  in  Bear 
Lodge  Mts.,  Wyo.,  Black  Hills,  S.D.,  and  in  nw.  Neb. ;  winters  from  Black 
Hills  to  s.  Colo,  and  w.  Kan.,  and  casually  to  Okla.  and  N.M. 

567.  Junco  hyemalis  hyemalis.    Slate-colored  Junco. 

Breeds  in  Hud.  and  Can.  zones  from  tree  limit  in  nw.  Alaska,  n.  Mack., 
cen.  Keew.,  and  cen.  Ung.  s.  to  mts.  of  Mass.,  Pa.,  and  N.Y.  and  to  cen. 
Mich.,  n.  Minn.,  cen.  Alb.,  n.  B.C.,  and  base  of  Alaska  Penin.;  winters 
throughout  the  e.  U.S.  and  s.  Ont.  s.  to  Gulf  coast;  casual  s.  to  Calif., 
Ariz.,  and  N.M. 


522  ADDENDA 

567a.  J.  h.  oreganus.    Oregon  Junco. 

Breeds  from  Yakutat  Bay,  Alaska,  to  Queen  Charlotte  Is.,  B.C.;  win- 
ters s.  along  coast  to  Santa  Cruz  and  San  Mateo  counties,  Calif. ;  casually 
to  e.  Ore.  and  Nev. 
5676.  J.  h.  connectens.    Intermediate  Junco. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  Rocky  Mt.  region  from  coast  of  s.  B.C.  e.  to  w.  cen. 
Alb.  and  s.  to  n.  Ore. ;  winters  over  entire  Rocky  Mt.  tableland  to  e.  Colo., 
Ariz.,  N.M.,  w.  Tex.,  Chihuahua,  and  Sonora;  casual  in  n.  L.C. 
567c.  J.  h.  thurberi.    Thurber  Junco. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  region  from  s.  Ore.,  s.  through  Sierra  Nevada  and  coast 
ranges  of  Calif,  to  Laguna  Hansen  Mts.,  L.C.;  winters  at  lower  altitudes, 
straying  to  Ariz. 
667d.  J.  h.  pinosus.    Point  Pinos  Junco. 

Humid  Tran.  coast  strip  from  San  Mateo  to  n.  Monterey  county  ,^Calif. 
567/.  J.  h.  montanus.    Montana  Junco. 

Breeds  in  Can.  zone  from  s.  Alb.  s.  to  nw.  Mont,  and  n.  Idaho;  winters 
s.  to  Ariz.,  N.M.,. Chihuahua,  and  Tex.,  casually  e.  to  Kan.,  Mass.,  and  Md. 
5670.  J.  h.  mearnsi.  Pink-sided  Junco. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  region  from  sw.  Sask.  to  n.  Wyo.  and  s.  Idaho;  win- 
ters s.  through  Wyo.  and  Colo,  to  w.  Tex.,  s.  N.M.,  Ariz.,  and  ne.  Sonora. 
567/1.  J.  h.  annectens.  Ridgway  Junco. 

Wyo.,  Colo.,  Ariz.,  and  N.M. 
570.  Junco  phceonotus  palliatus.   Arizona  Junco. 

Mts.  of  s.  Ariz.,  sw.  N.M.,  and  n.  Mex.  in  Coahuila,  Chihuahua,  and 
Sonora. 
570a.  J.  p.  dorsalis.   Red-backed  Junco. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Can.  zones  of  high  mts.  in  Ariz,  and  N.M.;  win- 
ters s.  to  sw.  Tex.,  Chihuahua,  and  Sonora. 
5706.  J.  p.  caniceps.   Gray-headed  Junco. 

Breeds  in  Hud.  and  Can.  zones  in  s.  Wyo.,  Colo.,  Utah,  Nev.,  and  n. 
N.M.;  winters  at  lower  elevations  and  s.  to  Sonora,  Chihuahua,  and  w. 
Tex. ;  casual  in  s.  Calif. 

573.  Amphispiza  bilineata  bllineata.    Black-throated  Sparrow. 

Low..  Son.  zone  of  n.  mid.  Tex.  s.  into  Tamaulipas  and  Nuevo  Leon. 
573a.  A.  b.  deserticola.    Desert  Sparrow. 

Son.  zones  on  arid  plains  from  e.  cen.  Calif.,  n.  Nev.,  n.  Utah,  se.  Colo., 
and  w.  Tex.  s.  to  Chihuahua,  Sonora,  and  cen.  L.C.;  winters  from  s. 
border  of  U.S.  s. 

574.  Amphispiza  belli.   Bell  Sparrow. 

Vails,  and  foothills  of  Calif,  w.  of  Sierra  Nevada  and  Colo.  Desert  from 
about  lat.  38°  s.  to  nw.  L.C.;  also  on  San  Clemente  I. 
574.  1.   Amphispiza  nevadensia  nevadensis.    Sage  Sparrow. 

Breeds  on  sagebrush  plains  of  Up.  Son.  zone  from  cen.  Wash.,  cen. 
Idaho,  and  Mont.  s.  to  s.  Colo,  and  se.  Calif.;  winters  from  se.  Calif.,  s. 
Nev.,  and  Utah  to  sw.  Tex.,  N.M.,  Ariz.,  and  Chihuahua. 
574.16.  A.n.canescens.  California  Sage  Sparrow. 

Up.  Son.  zone  in  Owens  Vail,  and  adjacent  areas  in  e.  Calif,  and  extreme 
w.  Nev. 
576.  Peuccea  botterii.  Botteri  Sparrow. 

S.  Ariz.,  and  Low.  Rio  Grande  Vali.,  Tex.,  s.  over  Mex.  tableland  to 
Chiapas. 

578.  Peuccea  cassini.    Cassin  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Son.  zone  from  se.  Nev.,  Colo.,  and  Kan.  s.  to  mouth  of 
Rio  Grande,  and  n.  Sonora;  winters  from  s.  Ariz,  to  s.  Sinaloa  and  cen. 
Tamaulipas. 

579.  Aimophila  carpalis.    Rufous-winged  Sparrow. 
S.  Ariz,  and  Sonora  s.  to  n.  Sinaloa. 

580.  Aimophila  ruficeps  ruficeps.    Rufous-crowned  Sparrow. 

Up.  Son.  zone  of  Calif,  w.  of  Sierra  Nev.  from  Marin  and  Placer  cos.  to 
San  Pedro  Martir  Mts.,  L.C.,  and  Santa  Catalina  and  Santa  Cruz  Is. 


ADDENDA  523 

580a.  A.  r.  scotti.    Scott  Sparrow. 

Up.  Son.  zone  in  s.  Ariz.,  n.  N.M.,  and  sw.  Tex.  s.  to  Durango,  Chihua- 
hua, and  Sonora;  casual  in  Colo. 
5806.  A.  r.  eremoeca.    Rock  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Son.  zone  in  Wichita  Mts.,  Okla.,  and  from  Cook  Co., 
Tex.,  to  Pecos  R.;  winters  s.  to  Puebla  and  Vera  Cruz. 
581.  Melospiza  melodia  melodia.    Song  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Can.  Tran.  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  e.  of  Rocky  Mts.  from  s. 
Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  n.  Ont.,  Que.,  and  Cape  Breton  I.  s.  to  N.C.  (mts.) 
Va.,  Mo.,  and  s.  Neb.  and  Rocky  Mts.  of  Alb.;  winters  from  Neb.,  111., 
Mass,  (locally),  and  N.J.  s.  to  Gulf  coast,  and  sporadically  n. 
581a.  M.  m.  fallax.    Desert  Song  Sparrow. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  s.  Nev.  and  sw.  Utah  to  Sonora  and  ne.  L.C. 
581  b.  M.  m.  montana.    Mountain  Song  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  of  Rocky  Mts.  and  Sierra  Nev.  region  from  e. 
Ore.  to  Mont.,  s.  to  n.  N.M.  and  mid.  e.  Calif.;  winters  s.  to  w.  Tex., 
Chihuahua,  and  Sonora. 
58 Ic.  M.  m.  heermanni.   Heermann  Song  Sparrow. 

Central  vails,  of  Calif.,  principally  San  Joaquin  and  Sacramento;  in 
winter,  casually  to  Nev. 
581d.  M.  m.  samuelis.    Samuels  Song  Sparrow. 

Coast  region  of  mid.  Calif,  from  Marin  Co.  to  Santa  Cruz,  except  salt 
marshes  on  s.  side  of  San  Francisco  Bay. 
581e.  M .  m.  morphna.    Rusty  Song  Sparrow. 

Breeds  along  Pac.  coast  from  extreme  s.  Alaska  to  Ore.;  winters  s.  to 
s.  Calif. 
581/.  M.  m.  rufina.   Sooty  Song  Sparrow. 

Breeds  on  coast  and  Is.  of  Alaska  from  Cross  Sound  and  Glacier  Bay  to 
Dixon  Entrance;  winters  s.  to  coast  of 'B.C.,  Vane.  I.,  and  Olympic  Mts., 
Wash. 
581/1.  M.  m.  graminea.    Santa  Barbara  Song  Sparrow. 

Up.  Son.  zone  in  Santa  Barbara  and  Santa  Cruz  Is.  and  in  winter, 
adjacent  mainland. 
58  K.  M.  m.  clementce.    San  Clemente  Song  Sparrow. 

San  Clemente,  San  Miguel,  and  Santa  Rosa  Is.,  Calif.,  and  Coronados 
Is.,  L.C. 
58  iy.  M.  m.  juddi.    Dakota  Song  Sparrow. 

Tran.  zone  from  sw.  Sask.  to  Turtle  Mts.,  N.D. 
.  M.  m.  merrilli.    Merrill  Song  Sparrow. 

Breeds  from  Ft.  Sherman,  Idaho,  s.  through  Wash,  and  Ore.  e.  of  Cas- 
cades to  Shasta  Co.,  Calif.;  winters  s.  to  Nev.,  Utah,  Ariz.,  and  Sonora. 
581Z.  M.  m.  pusillula.  Alameda  Song  Sparrow. 

Salt  marshes  on  s.  side  of  San  Francisco  Bay. 
581m.  M.  m.  cooperi.    San  Diego  Song  Sparrow. 

Monterey  Bay  to  Ft.  Tejon  and  San  Bernardino  and  s.  to  San  Quintin 
Bay,  L.C. 
58lp.  M.  m.  cleonensis.    Mendocino  Song  Sparrow. 

Coast  of  s.  Ore.  and  n.  Calif.,  from  Yaquina  Bay,  Ore.,  to   Tomales 
Bay,  Calif. 
581s.  M.  m.  maxillaris.   'Suisun  Song  Sparrow. 

Marshes  bordering  Suisun  Bay,  Calif. 
583.  Melospiza  lincolni  lincolni.    Lincoln  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zones  from  Kowak  and  Yukon  rivers,  s.  Mack.,  cen. 
Keew.,  and  n.  Ung.  s.  to  N.S.,  N.B.,  cen.  Ont.,  and  n.  Minn.,  and  in  Rocky 
Mts.,  Cascades,  and  Sierra  Nev.  s.  to  n.  N.M.  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from 
San  Jacinto  Mts.,  Calif.,  s.  Okla.,  and  n.  Miss,  to  Guatemala;  casual 
se.  of  Alleg. 
583a.  M.  I.  striata.  Forbush  Sparrow. 

Breeds  from  Prince  Wm.  Sound  to  Sitka  district,  Alaska;  winters  s.  to 
s.  L.C. 


524  ADDENDA 

584.  Melospiza  georgiana.    Swamp  Sparrow. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  w.  cen.  Alb.,  cen.  Mack., 
cen.  Keew.,  cen.  Que.,  and  Newf.,  s.  to  N.J.,  n.  111.,  and  n.  Neb.;  winters 
from  Neb.,  Ohio,  and  Mass,  (rarely)  s.  to  Gulf  coast  from  Fla.  to  s.  Tex., 
Tamaulipas,  and  Jalisco. 

585.  Passerella  iliaca  iliaca.    Fox  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zones  from  tree  limit  in  ne.  Alaska,  n..  Mack.,  cen. 
Keew.,  n.  Ont.,  and  n.  Ung.  s.  to  Newf.,  s.  Keew.,  n.  Man.,  and  cen.  Alb.; 
winters  from  Low.   Ohio  and  Potomac  Vails,  to  n.  Fla.  and  cen.  Tex.; 
casual  on  coast  of  Alaska  and  in  Calif. 
585a.  P.  i.  unalaschensis.   Shumagin  Fox  Sparrow. 

Unalaska  I.,  Alaska  Penin.,  and  Shumagin  Is.;  winters  s.  to  n.  Calif. 
5856.  P.  i.  megarhyncha.    Thick-billed  Fox  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  on  both  slopes  of  Sierra  Nev. ;  winters  in  sw.  Calif.  ; 
casual  in  Marin  Co. 
585c.  P.  i.  schistacea.    Slate-colored  Fox  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  from  interior  of  B.C.  and  nw.  Mont.,  s.  to  mts.  of 
Lassen  and  Modoc  counties,  ne.  Calif.,  to  White  Mts.,  of  e.  Calif.,  and  to 
cen.  Colo.;  winters  s.  to  sw.  Calif.,  Ariz.,  and  N.M.,  and  e.  to  Kan. 
585d.  P.  i.  stephensi.   Stephens  Fox  Sparrow. 

Breeds  in  the  Tejon,  San  Gabriel,  San  Bernardino,  and  San  Jacinto  Mts. 
585e.  P.  i.  fuliginosa.  Sooty  Fox  Sparrow. 

Breeds  on  coast  of  B.C.,  Vancouver  I.,  and  nw.  Wash.;  winters  s.  along 
coast  to  San  Francisco. 
585/.  P.  i.  insularis.    Kadiak  Fox  Sparrow. 

Breeds  on  Kadiak  I.  and  on  coast  from  Prince  Wm.  Sound  s.  to  Cross 
Sound;  winters  along  coast  to  s.  Calif. 
585gr.  P.  i.  townsendi.    Townsend  Fox  Sparrow. 

Breeds  on  coast  and  Is.  from  Cross  Sound  to  Dixon  Entrance;  winters 
s.  to  Humboldt  Co.,  Calif. 

586.  Arremonops  rufivirgatus.    Texas  Sparrow. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  Ft.  Clark,  Corpus  Christi,  and  San  Patricio,  Tex., 
s.  to  Tamaulipas,  Nuevo  Leon,  and  San  Luis  Potosi. 

587.  Pipilo  erythrophthalmus  erythrophthalmus.    Towhee. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  from  se.  Sask.,  s.  Man.,  s.  Ont.,  and 
s.  Me.,  s.  to  n.  Ga.,  and  cen.  Kan.;  winters  from  se.  Neb.  and  Ohio  and 
Potomac  vails,  to  s.  Fla.,  Gulf  coast,  and  cen.  Tex. 

588.  Pipilo  maculatus  arcticus.    Arctic  Towhee. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  of  Gt.  Plains  and  Rocky  Mt.  region 
from  s.  Alb.  and  Forks  of  Sask.  s.  to  w.  cen.  Mont,  and  w.  Neb. ;  occurs  in 
migration  in  w.  Wyo.  and  ne.  Utah;  winters  from  e.  Colo,  and  s.  Neb.  s. 
to  s.  Tex. 
588a.  P.  m.  montanus.   Spurred  Towhee. 

Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  from  B.C.  s.  to  Tamaulipas  and  Sonora; 
and  in  e.  Calif.,  e.  Wyo.,  Colo.,  N.M.,  and  w.  Tex. 
5886.  P.  m.  oregonus.   Oregon  Towhee. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  from  s.  B.C.  to  San  Francisco ;  winters  s.  to  s.  Calif. 
588c.  P.  m.  clementae.  San  Clemente  Towhee. 

San  Clemente,  Santa  Catalina,  Santa  Cruz,  and  Santa  Rosa  Is.,  Calif. 
588d.  P.  m.  megalonyx.  San  Diego  Towhee. 

Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  of  Calif,  except  coast  strip  n.  of  San  Francisco, 
and  s.  into  n.  L.C. 
591.  Pipilo  fuscus  mesoleucus.    Canon  Towhee. 

Up.  Son.  zone  from  w.  cen.  Ariz,  and  se.  Colo.  s.  to  w.  Tex.  and  ne. 
Sonora. 
591.1.  Pipilo  crissalis  crissalis.    California  Towhee. 

Up.  Son.  vails,  and  foothills  of  w.  Ore.,  and  of  Calif,  from  Shasta  Co. 
s.  to  Santa  Barbara,  Kern,  and  n.  San  Bernardino  counties. 
591.  la.  P.  c.  senicula.   Anthony  Towhee. 

San  Joaquin  Vail.,  Calif.,  s.  on  Pac.  side  of  L.C.  at  least  to  lat.  29°. 


ADDENDA  525 

592.  Pipilo  aberti.    Abert  Towhee. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  se.  Calif.,  s.  Nev.,  and  sw.  Utah  to  sw.  N.M., 
s.  Ariz.,  and  Sonora,  and  at  least  in  winter,  to  n.  L.C. 
592.1.  Oreospiza  chlorura.   Green-tailed  Towhee. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  in  interior  plateau  region  from  cen.  Ore.  and  s.cen. 
Mont,  to  w.  Tex.,  se.  N.M.,  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  s.  Calif,  and  w. 
Tex.  to  Cape  San  Lucas  and  Guanajuato. 
593a.  Cardinalis  cardinalis  superbus.    Arizona  Cardinal. 

S.  Ariz,  and  contiguous  parts  of  Sonora. 
593c.   C.  c.  canicaudus.    Gray-tailed  Cardinal. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  cen.  and  sw.  Tex.  s.  to  Puebla  and  Michoacan. 

594.  Pyrrhuloxia  sinuata  sinuata.    Arizona  Pyrrhuloxia. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  s.  Ariz,  to  extreme  w.  Tex.  and  s.  through  w.  Mex. 
to  Zacatecas  and  Sinaloa. 
594a.  P.  s.  texana.    Texas  Pyrrhuloxia. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  Nueces,  Bee,  Bexar,  Kendall,  and  Tom  Green 
cos.  Tex.,  s.  through  e.  Mex.  to  Puebla. 

595.  Zamelodia  ludoviciana.    Rose-breasted  Grosbeak. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  s.  cen.  Mack.,  n.  Man., 
cen.  Ont.,  s.  Que.,  and  Cape  Breton  I.  s.  to  Ga.  (in  mts.),  to  N.J.,  Mo., 
and  cen.  Kan.;  winters  from  s.  Mex.  and  Yucatan  to  Colombia,  Venez., 
and  Ecuador;  accidental  to  Calif.,  Ariz.,  and  Colo. 

596.  Zamelodia  melanocephala.   Black-headed  Grosbeak. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  from  s.  B.C.,  sw.  Sask.,  and  cen. 
N.D.  s.  to  Vera  Cruz,  Oaxaca,  and  Michoacan;  winters  in  s.  part  of  its 
range,  from  s.  L.C.,  Mazatlan,  Vail,  of  Mex.,  and  Orizaba  to  Chiapas. 
597a.  Guiraca  ccerulea  lazula.    Western  Blue  Grosbeak. 

Breeds  in  Up.  and  Low.  Son.  zones  from  n.  Calif,  to  sw.  S.D.  and  ne. 
Neb.  s.  to  cen.  Tex.  and  Oaxaca;  winters  from  s.  Sonora  to  C.R. 

598.  Passerina  cyanea.    Indigo  Bunting. 

Breeds  chiefly  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Aus.  zones,  from  e.  cen.  N.D.,  nw. 
Mich.,  s.  Ont.,  s.  Que.,  and  s.  N.B.  s.  to  cen.  Ga.,  s.  La.,  and  cen.  Tex.; 
winters  from  Morelos,  Yucatan,  and  Cuba  to  Pana.;  casual  in  Colo. 

599.  Passerina  amoena.   Lazuli  Bunting. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  from  s.  B.C.,  s.  Alb.,  se.  Sask.,  and 
w.  N.D.  s.  to  w.  Tex.  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  in  Mex.  s.  to  Cape  San  Lucas 
and  Vail,  of  Mex. 

600.  Passerina  versicolor  versicolor.    Varied  Bunting. 
Vail,  of  Low.  Rio  Grande  in  Tex.  s.  to  Guat. 

600a.  P.  y.  pulchra.   Beautiful  Bunting. 
Se.  Calif.,  s.  Ariz.r  nw.  Mex.,  and  s.  L.C. 

601.  Passerina  ciris.    Painted  Bunting. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Aus.  Zone  from  s.  Kan.,  cen.  Ark.,  and  se.  N.C.,  s.  to 
Gulf  coast,  Tex.,  and  se.  N.M.;  casual  in  s.  Ariz,  and  s.  111.;  winters  in 
Bahamas,  Cuba,  and  from  cen.  Mex.  and  Yucatan  to  Panama. 

602.  Sporophila  morelleti  sharpei.    Sharpe  Seedeater. 

Low.  Rio  Grande  Vail.,  Tex.,  and  Tamaulipas  and  Nuevo  Leon. 

604.  Spiza  americana.    Dickcissel. 

Breeds  chiefly  in  Aus.  zones  from  ne.  Wyo.,  nw.  N.D.,  s.  Mich.,  and 
s.  Ont.  s.,to  s.  Miss,  and  Tex.;  very  rare  e.  of  Alleg. ;  winters  in  Pana., 
Colomb.,  Venez.,  and  Trinidad,  migrating  through  Mex.  and  C.  Am. 

605.  Calamospiza  melanocorys.    Lark  Bunting. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  from  s.  Alb.,  s.  Sask.,  sw.  Man.,  and 
w.  cen.  Minn.  s.  to  nw.  Tex.  and  nw.  N.M.;  winters  s.  from  s.  Ariz,  and  s. 
Tex.  on  Mex.  tableland  to  Sonora,  Guanajuato,' and  Zacatecas,  and  in 
s.  L.C.;  occasional  in  migration  w.  of  Rocky  Mts.  to  Calif,  and  e.  to  w. 
Iowa  and  se.  Minn. 
607.  Piranga  ludoviciana.  Western  Tanager. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  ne.  B.C.,  sw.  Mack.,  and  sw.  S.D., 
to  high  mts.  of  w.  Tex.,  s.  Calif.,  and  nw.  coast  of  Ore.;  winters  s.  from 


626  ADDENDA 

cen.  Mex.  through  highlands  to  Guat. ;  straggles  e.  in  migration  to  La.  and 
New  Eng. ;  casual  in  Wis. 

608.  Piranga  erythromelas.    Scarlet  Tanager. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  from  se.  Sask.,  cen.  Man., 
cen.  Ont.,  s.  Que.,  N.B.,  and  N.S.  s.  to  n.  Ga.,  n.  Ark.,  and  s.  Kan.; 
winters  from  Colombia  to  Bolivia  and  Peru;  migrates  through  Cuba, 
Jamaica,  and  Yucatan,  and  along  e.  coast  to  C.  Am.;  casual  in  migration 
in  Wyo.,  Colo.,  Bahamas,  and  Lesser  Antilles. 

609.  Piranga  hepatica.    Hepatic  Tanager. 

Nw.  Ariz.,  ne.  N.M.,  and  w.  Tex.  s.  to  Guat. 

610.  Piranga  rubra  rubra.    Summer  Tanager. 

Breeds  in  Up.  and  Low.  Aus.  zones  in  the  se.  U.S.,  w.  to  Marathon, 
Tex.,  and  s.  to  Mex.;  winters  from  Mex.  to  Peru. 
610a.  P.  r.  cooperi.    Cooper  Tanager. 

Breeds  from  se.  Calif.,  to  ne.  N.M.  and  s.  to  n.  Durango  and  cen.  Nuevo 
Leon;  winters  in  Mex.  s.  to  Colima  and  Morelos;  casual  to  Colo. 

611.  Progne  subis  subis.    Purple  Martin. 

Breeds  from  w.  cen.  Alb.,  (and  Idaho  and  Mont.),  s.  Sask.,  nw.  Ont., 
N.B.,  and  N.S.  s.  to  Fla.,  Gulf  coast,  Vera  Cruz,  and  Jalisco;  occurs  in 
migration  in  Venez.  and  Guiana,  and  winters  in  Brazil. 
61  la.  P.  s.  hesperia.    Western  Martin. 

Breeds  from  B.C.  to  Cape  San  Lucas;  winter  home  unknown;  occurs 
in  migration  in  Nicaragua. 
611.2.  Progne  chalybea.    Gray-breasted  Martin. 

Low.  Rio  Grande  Vail.,  Tex.,  to  Brazil. 

612.  Petrochelidon  lunifrons  lunifrons.    Cliff  Swallow. 

Breeds  from  lower  edge  of  Arctic  to  Low.  Aus.  zone  from  cen.  Alaska, 
up.  Yukon  Vail.,  n.  cen.  Mack.,  s.  Keew.,  n.  Ont.,  cen.  Que.,  and  Cape 
Breton  I.  s.  over  most  of  U.S.  except  Fla.  and  Rio  Grande  Vail,  and  along 
coast  district  of  w.  Mex.  to  Tepic;  migrates  through  C.  Am.  and  prob- 
ably winters  in  Brazil  and  Argentina. 
612o.  P.  I.  tachina.  Lesser  Cliff  Swallow. 

Breeds  in  w.  Tex.,  Rio  Grande  Vail.,  and  through  e.  Mex.  to  Vera  Cruz; 
winter  home  unknown;  migrates  through  C.R.  and  Panama. 
6126.-  P.  I.  melanogastra.    Mexican  Cliff  Swallow. 

Breeds  in  s.  Ariz.,  Sonora,  and  Chihuahua,  and  s.  over  Mex.  tableland 
to  Guat. ;  winter  home  unknown. 

612.  la.  Petrochelidon  fulva  pallida.    Coahuila  Cliff  Swallow. 
Kerr  Co.,  Tex.,  and  ne.  Mex. 

613.  Hirundo  erythrogastra.   Barn  Swallow. 

Breeds  from  nw.  Alaska,  n.  Mack.,  s.  Man.,  and  Ung.  s.  to  N.C.,  n. 
Ark.,  s.  Tex.  (w.  of  97°),  Jalisco,  Tepic,  and  s.  Calif.;  migrates  through 
Bahamas  and  W.I.  and  winters  from  s.  Mex.  to  Brazil,  n.  Argent.,  and 
cen.  Chile. 

614.  Iridoprocne  bicolor.   Tree  Swallow. 

Breeds  in  Can.,  Tran.,  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  from  nw.  Alaska,  s.  and  w. 
Mack.,  s.  Keew.,  and  n.  Ung.  to  Va.,  Mo.,  Kan.,  Colo.,  and  s.  Calif.; 
winters  from  cen.  Calif.,  s.  Tex.,  s.  parts  of  Gulf  States  and  N.C.  (casually 
N.J.)  s.  over  greater  part  of  Mex.  to  Guat.  and  Cuba. 

615.  Tachycineta  thalassina  lepida.    Northern  Violet-green  Swallow. 
Breeds  from  cen.  Alaska,  Yukon,  s.  Alb.,  and  w.  S.D.  s.  to  n.  Durango 

and  n.  half  of  L.C.;  winters  in  Mex.  and  s.  to  Guat.  and  C.R.;  migrates 
through  w.  Tex. 

616.  Riparia  riparia.   Bank  Swallow. 

N.  Hemis.  In  N.  Am.  breeds  in  Boreal,  Tran.,  and  Aus.  zones  from  near 
limit  of  trees  in  n.  Alaska  and  n.  Ung.  s.  to  Va.,  La.,  Tex.,  Ariz.,  and  s. 
Calif.;  migrates  through  Mex.  and  C.  Am.  (casually  W.I.),  and  probably 
winters  in  S.  Am.  to  Brazil  and  Peru. 

617.  Stelgidopteryx  serripennis.    Rough-winged  Swallow. 

Breeds  in  Tran.,  Aus.,  and  Tropical  zones  from  s.  B.C.,  Mont.,  N.D., 
Wis.,  Ont.,  Mass.,  and  Conn.  s.  to  s.  U.S.  from  n.  Fla.  to  s.  Calif,  and  to 
Vera  Cruz  and  Jalisco;  winters  from  cen.  Mex.  s.  to  C.R. ;  casual  in  Man. 


ADDENDA  527 

618.  Bombycilla  garrula.   Bohemian  Waxwing. 

Boreal  zones  of  N.  Hemis.  In  N.  Am.  breeds  from  Alaska,  n.  Mack., 
~,TCe2;  Keew.  s-  to  s-  Alb.,  Idaho,  and  Wash.;  winters  irregularly  to 
Calif.,  Colo.,  Kan.,  and  e.  to  Conn.;  casual  in  Ariz. 

619.  Bombycilla  cedrorum.    Cedar  Waxwing. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  from  cen.  B.C.,  cen.  Alb. 
s.  Keew.,  n.  Ont.,  nw.  Que.,  and  Cape  Breton  I.  s.  to  N.C.,  Kan.,  n.  N.M, 
and  n.  Calif.;  winters  nearly  throughout  U.S.  and  s.  to  Cuba,  Mex.  and 
Panama. 

620.  Phainopepla  nitens.    Phainopepla. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  cen.  Calif.,  s.  Utah,  and  sw.  Tex.  s.  to  Vera  Cruz, 
Puebla,  and  Cape  San  Lucas;  winters  from  s.  Calif,  s. 

621.  Lanius  borealis.    Northern  Shrike. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Hud.  zone  from  nw.  Alaska,  n.  Mack.,  and  n.  Ung. 
to  s.  Que.,   cen.  Sask.,  and  base  of  Alaska   Penin.;   winters   s.  to  cen. 
Calif.,  Ariz.,  N.M.,  Tex.,  Ky.,  and  Va. 
622a.  Lanius  ludovicianus  excubitorides.   White-rumped  Shrike. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Aus.  zones  from  cen.  Alb.,  s.  Sask.,  and  s.  Man., 
s.  (between  w.  border  of  Gt.  Basin  and  e.  border  of  Gt.  Plains)  to  Texas, 
Durango  and  Tepic,  Ariz.,  and  se.  Calif.;  winters  in  sw.  U.S.  and  s.  to 
Isthmus  of  Tehuantepec. 
6226.  L.  1.  gambeli.    California  Shrike. 

Breeds  in  interior  vails,  of  s.  B.C.,  Wash.,  Ore.,  Cal.,  and  n.  L.C.,  west 
to  coast  from  Marin  Co.  s. ;  winters  s.  to  Cape  San  Lucas  and  in  w.  Mex. 
to  Morelos. 
622c.  L.  I.  anthonyi.    Island  Shrike. 

Santa  Barbara  Is.  and  San  Clemente  I.,  Calif.,  and  Santa  Margarita  I., 
L.C. 
624.   Vireosylva  olivacea.    Red-eyed  Vireo. 

Breeds   in  Can.,  Tran.,  and  Aus.  zones  from  cen.  B.C.,  s.  Mack.,  s. 
Keew.,  n.  Ont.,  and  Cape  Breton  I.  s.  to  cen.  Fla.,  n.  Coahuila,  e.  Colo.,  e. 
Wyo.,  s.  Mont,  and  se.  Wash;  winters  in  Colomb.  and  s.  to  Ecuad.  and  s. 
Brazil. 
627.   Vireosylva  gilva  gilva.    Warbling  Vireo. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Aus.  zones  from  se.  Alb.,  n.  Man.,  cen.  Ont.,  and 
N.S.  s.  to  Va.,  N.C.,.s.  La.,  and  nw.  Tex.;  winter  home  unknown,  but 
s.  of  U.S. 
627a.'  V.  Q.  swainsoni.    Western  Warbling  Vireo. 

Breeds  in  Can.,  Tran.,  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  from  s.  B.C.,  sw.  Mack.,  and 
ne.  Alb.  s.  to  nw.  Neb.,  w.  Tex.,  N.M.,  n.  Sonora,  and  s.  L.C.;  winters  s. 
to  Guat. 

629.  Lanivireo  solitarius  solitarius.    Blue-headed  Vireo. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  s.  Mack.,  s.  Keew.,  s.  Que.,  and 
Cape  Breton  I.  s.  to  R.I.,  mts.  of  s.  Pa.,  Mich.,  Minn.,  and  n.  N.D.; 
winters  in  Gulf  States  from  Fla.  to  Tex.  and  e.  Mex.  to  Guat. 
629a.  L.  s.  cassini.    Cassin  Vireo. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  from  cen.  B.C.,  sw.  Alb.,  and  w.  Mont.  s.  through 
w.  Nev.  and  Calif,  to  San  Pedro  Martir  Mts.,  L.C.;  winters  in  Mex.  s. 
to  Oaxaca  and  Chiapas. 
6296.  L.  s.  plumbeus.    Plumbeous  Vireo. 

Breeds  in  Up.  Son.  zone  of  s.  Rocky  Mt.  region  from  n.  Nev.,  n.  Utah, 
ne.  Wyo.,  and  sw.  S.D.  s.  through  sw.  Tex.  and  Ariz,  to  Chihuahua  and 
mts.  of  Vera  Cruz;  winters  s.  to  Oaxaca  and  Colima. 

630.  Vireo  atricapillus.   Black-capped  Vireo. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Son.  zone  from  sw.  Kan.  to  cen.  and  w.  Tex.;  probably 
winters  in  Mex.  to  Sinaloa  and  Volcano  of  Toluca. 

631.  Vireo  griseus  griseus.    White-eyed  Vireo. 

Breeds  chiefly  in  Aus.  zones  from  se.  Neb.,  s.  Wis.,  N.Y.,  and  Mass, 
to  cen.  Fla.  and  cen.  Tex.;  winters  from  Rio  Grande  Vail,  in  Tex.,  Ga., 
Fla.,  and  S.C.  through  e.  Mex.  to  Yucat.  and  Guat. 


528  ADDENDA 

631c.   Vireo  griseus  micrus.    Small  White-eyed  Vireo. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  Rio  Grande  Vail.,  Tex.,  to  Tamaulipas,  Nuevo 
Leon,  and  San  Luis  Potosi. 

632.  Vireo  huttoni  huttoni.    Hutton  Vireo. 

Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  in  California  w.  of  Sierra  Nev.,  from  Siski- 
you  Co.  s.  to  San  Diego. 
632a.   V.  h.  stephensi.    Stephens  Vireo. 

S.  Ariz,  to  w.  Tex.  and  s.  to  Tamaulipas,  Michoacan,  and  Tepic;  in 
winter  s.  to  s.  Mex. 
632c.   V.  h.  obscurus.    Anthony  Vireo. 

Breeds  from  s.  B.C.  and  Vancouver  I.  to  Ore. 

633.  Vireo  belli  belli.   Bell  Vireo. 

Breeds  in  Aus.  zones  from  ne.  Colo.,  s.  S.D.,  n.  111.,  and  nw.  Ind.,  to  e. 
Tex.  and  Tamaulipas;  winters  in  Mex.  and  Guat. 
633a.   V.  b.  pusillus.    Least  Vireo. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  cen  Calif.,  sw.  Nev.,  and  w.  Tex.  s.  to  Vail,  of  Mex., 
Sinaloa,  and  n.  L.C. 
633&.   V.  b.  medius.   Texas  Vireo. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  sw.  Tex.  (Presidio,  Brewster,  and  Kinney  counties) 
s.  to  Guanajuato. 

634.  Vireo  vicinior.    Gray  Vireo. 

S.  Calif.,  s.  Nev.,  Grand  Cafion  of  Colo.,  and  se.  Colo.  s.  to  Durango 
and  L.C. 
636.  Mniotilta  varia.    Black  and  White  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Can.,  Tran.,  and  Aus.  zones  from  cen.  Mack.,  s.  Keew.,  n. 
Ont.,  Newf.,and  N.B.  s.  to  Ga.,  Ala.,  La.,  and  e.  Tex.;  casually  to  Colo., 
Wyo.,  and  Mont.,  winters  from  Colima  and  Nuevo  Leon  to  Colomb., 
Ecuad.,  and  Venez.,  and  in  Fla.,  Bahamas,  and  W.I.  to  Guadeloupe,  and 
casually  in  s.  Tex. 

643.  Vermivora  lucice.   Lucy  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Son.  Zone  in  Santa  Clara  Vail.,  Utah,  and  Ariz. ;  winters 
in  w.  Mex.  s.  to  Jalisco. 

644.  Vermivora  mrginice.    Virginia  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  from  Nev.,  Utah,  and  n.  Colo.  s.  to  ne.  N.M.  and 
s.  Ariz.;  winters  in  Mex.  to  Guerrero. 

645.  Vermivora  rubricapilla  rubricapilla.    Nashville  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  s.  Sask.,  cen.  Que.,  and  Cape 
Breton  I.  s.  to  Conn.,  Pa.,  111.,  and  Neb.;  winters  from  Vera  Cruz  and 
Chiapas  to  Guat.  and  casually  in  s.  Tex.;  regular  migrant  at  mouth  of 
Rio  Grande. 
645a.   V.  r.  gutturalis.    Calaveras  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  Zone  from  s.  B.C.  to  Idaho  and  cen.  Calif.;  winters  in 
Mex.  s.  to  Oaxaca;  in  migration  L.C.  to  Tex. 

646.  Vermivora  celata  celata.    Orange-crowned  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  low.  Hud.  and  Can.  zones  from  Kowak  R.,  Alaska,  se.  to  cen. 
Keew.  and  Man.  and  locally  in  Rocky  Mts.  to  N.M.;  winters  in  Gulf  and 
s.  Atl.  States  to  S.C.  and  s.  through  Mex.  to  Mt.  Orizaba. 
646a.   V.  c.  lutescens.    Lutescent  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Hud.,  Can.,  and  Up.  Tran.  zones  from  Kadiak  I.  and  shores 
of  Cook  Inlet  s.  to  mts.  of  s.  Calif,  and  e.  to  Ruby  Mts.,  Nev.;  winters 
from  Chihuahua  to  Guat.;  in  migration  to  Mont.,  Wyo.,  Colo.,  and  Ariz. 
6466.  V.  c.  sordida.  Dusky  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Up.  Son.  zone  on  San  Clemente,  Santa  Catalina,  Santa  Cruz, 
and  Santa  Rosa  Is.,  Calif.,  and  Todos  Santos  Is.,  L.C.;  regular  visitant 
to  mainland  at  Pasadena,  Los  Angeles,  and  Santa  Barbara;  n.  casually 
to  Hayward,  and  s.  to  n.  L.C.  in  winter. 

647.  Vermivora  peregrina.    Tennessee  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Can.  zone  from  Up.  Yukon  Vail.,  s.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  s. 
Ung.,  and  Anticosti  I.  s.  to  n.  Me.,  N.Y.  ( Adirondacks) ,  Ont.,  Minn., 
Man.,  s.  Alb.,  and  s.  B.C.;  winters  from  Oaxaca  to  Colomb.  and  Venez. 


ADDENDA  529 

648a.  Compsothlypis  americana  usnece.    Northern  Parula  Warbler. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  and  Aus.  zones  from  e.  Neb.,  n.  Minn.,  cen 
Ont.,  and  Cape  Breton  I.  s.  to  Md.,  Va.f  s.  La.,  and  cen.  s.  Tex.;  winter 
home  unknown;  casual  in  Wyo.  and  Colo. 
649.  Compsothlypis  pitiayumi  nigrilora.   Sennett  Warbler. 

Vail,  of  Low.  Rio  Grande  in  Tex.  s.  to  Tamaulipas,  Nuevo  Leon,  and 
se.  San  Luis  Potosi,  mainly  in  Low.  Son.  zone. 

651.  Peucedramus  olivaceus.    Olive  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  of  White  and  Huachuca  Mts.  of  Ariz.,  mts.  of  s. 
N.M.,  and  s.  on  highlands  of  Mex.  to  Guat. 

652.  Dendroica  cestiva  (Estiva.    Yellow  Warbler. 

Breeds  from  Hudsonian  through  Up.  Aus.  zone  in  N.  Am.  e.  of  Alaska 
and  Pac.  slope,  from  tree  limit  s.  to  n.  S.C.,  s.  Mo.,  n.  N.M.,  and  Nev.; 
winters  from  Yucatan  to  Guiana,  Brazil,  and  Peru. 
652a.  D.  a.  sonorana.    Sonora  Yellow  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Aus.  zone  of  L.C.,  Sonora,  Chihuahua,  s.  Ariz.,  N.M., 
and  w.  Tex. ;  winters  from  Mex.  s.  to  Guat.  and  Nicarag. 
652b.  D.  a.  rubiginosa.  Alaska  Yellow  Warbler. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Can.  zone  throughout  most  of  Alaska  and  s.  to  Vane. 
I. ;  winters  from  Mex.  to  Nicarag. 
652c.  D.  a.  brewsteri.    California  Yellow  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  w.  of  Cascades  and  Sierra  Nev. 
from  Wash,  to  s.  Calif.;  winter  home  unknown. 

654.  Dendroica  ccerulescens  ccerulescens.    Black-throated  Blue  Warbler. 
Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  ne.  Minn.,  cen.  On1.,  and  ne. 

Que.  s.  to  Conn.,  Pa.,  s.  Ont.,  and  cen.  Minn. 

655.  Dendroica  coronata.  Myrtle  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Hud.  and  Can.  zones  from  tree  limit  in  nw.  Alaska,  n.  Mack., 
cen.  Keew.,  and  cen.  Ung.  s.  to  mts.  of  Mass.,  Vt.,  and  N.Y.,  and  to  cen. 
Ont.,  n.  Mich.,  s.  Alb.,  and  n.  B.C.;  winters  on  Pac.  coast  from  cen.  Ore. 
to  s.  Calif.,  and  from  Kan.,  Ohio  Vail.,  and  N.J.  s.  to  Gtr.  Antilles,  Mex., 
and  Panama. 

656.  Dendroica  auduboni  auduboni.   Audubon  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  cen.  B.C.,  cen  Alb.,  and  sw.  Sask. 
S.  to  w.  Neb.,  se.  N.M.,  n.  Ariz,  and  mts.  of  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  vails, 
of  s.  Calif,  (casually  s.  B.C.)  and  the  Rio  Grande  to  Guat. 
656a.  Dendroica  auduboni  nigrifrons.   Black-fronted  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Chiricahua  and  Huachuca  Mts.,  Ariz,  and  s.  through  mts.  to 
Chihuahua  and  Durango. 

657.  Dendroica  magnolia.    Magnolia  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Up.  Tran.  zones  from  sw.  Mack.,  s.  Keew.,  n.  Que., 
and  Newf.  s.  to  mts.  of  Va.  and  to  n.  Mass.,  n.  Mich.,  s.  Sask.,  and  cen. 
Alb. ;  winters  from  Puebla  and  Chiapas  to  Panama ;  in  migration  w.  to 
base  of  Rocky  Mts.;  casual  in  Calif.,  B.C.,  the  Bahamas,  and  Cuba. 

658.  Dendroica  cerulea.    Cerulean  Warbler. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Aus.  zones  fromse.  Neb.,  s.  Mich.,  s.  Ont.,  w.  N.Y.,  and 
W.Va.  s.  to  cen.  Ala.,  La.,  and  ne.  Tex.;  winters  from  Panama  to  Peru; 
in  migration  straggles  to  N.M.,  Colo.,  N.J.,  and  R.I. 

659.  Dendroica  pensyhanica.    Chestnut-sided  Warbler. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  from  cen.  Sask.,  nw.  Man.,  cen.  Ont., 
and  Newf.  s.  in  Alleg.  to  S.C.  and  Tenn.,  and  to  R.I.,  Ohio,  111.,  and  e. 
Neb.;  winters  from  Guat.  to  Pana.;  regular  and  common  migrant  at 
Brownsville,  Tex. 

660.  Dendroica  castanea.   Bay-breasted  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Can.  zone  from  ne.  Alb.,  s.  Keew.,  s.  Ung.,  and  Newf.  s.  to 
N.H.  (mts.),  n.  Me.,  and  s.  Man.;  winters  in  Panama  and  Colombia; 
casual  in  migration  to  Mont.,  S.D.,  and  Tex. 

661.  Dendroica  striata.    Black-poll  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Hud.  and  Can.  zones  from  limit  of  trees  in  nw.  Alaska,  n. 
Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  n.  Ung.,  and  Newf.  s.  sto  n.  N.  Eng.,  Mich.,  Man., 


530  ADDENDA 

and  cen.  B.C. ;  winters  from  Guiana  and  Venez.  to  Brazil ;  migrates  through 
Bahamas  and  W.I.;  casual  in  N.M.,  Mex.,  Chile,  and  Ecuad. 
662.  Dendroica  fusca.    Blackburnian  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Can.  and  Up.  Iran,  zones  from  Man.,  s.  Keew.,  Que., 
and  Cape  Breton  I.  to  s.  Alleg.,  s.  N.  Eng.,  n.  Mich.,  and  cen.  Wis. ;  winters 
from  Colombia  to  cen.  Peru  and  Yucatan;  in  migration  to  Neb.,  Tex., 
and  Kan.,  straggling  to  Utah,  N.M.,  and  Bahamas. 
663a.  Dendroica  dominica  albilora.    Sycamore  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Aus.  zones  from  se.  Neb.,  s.  Mich.,  Ohio,  W.Va.,  and  w.  N.C. 
s.  to  La.  and  e.  Tex.;  winters  from  Puebla,  Tepic,  and  Colima  to  Nicarag. 
and  C.R. ;  in  migration  in  Low.  Rio  Grande  Vail. 

664.  Dendroica  gracice.  Grace  Warbler. 

Breeds  chiefly  in  Tran.  zone  in  mts.  of  s.  Colo.,  Ariz.,  N.M.,  Sonora,  and 
Chihuahua;  winters  in  Mex.  to  Michoacan;  casual  in  migration  to  cen. 
Colo,  and  w.  Tex. 

665.  Dendroica  nigrescens.    Black-throated  Gray  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  from  s.  B.C.,  Nev.,  n.  Utah,  and  nw.  Colo.  s.  to 
n.  N.M.,  s.  Ariz.,  and  n.  L.C.;  winters  in  s.  Calif.,  and  in  Mex.  from  Du- 
rango  to  Vera  Cruz  and  Oaxaca. 

666.  Dendroica  chrysoparia.    Golden-cheeked  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Son.  zone  of  Tex.  from  Tom  Green  to  Bosque  and 
Bexar  cos. ;  winters  in  highlands  of  s.  Mex.  and  Guat. 

667.  Dendroica  virens.    Black-throated  Green  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  s.  Can.  to  Minn,  and  Conn,  and 
along  Allegs.  to  S.C.;  migrates  to  Texas;  winters  from  Mex.  to  C.  Am. 
and  Pana. ;  accidental  in  Calif.,  Colo.,  and  Ariz. 

668.  Dendroica  townsendi.   Townsend  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  and  Tran.  zones  from  Prince  William  Sound  and  up. 
Yukon  s.  to  w.  Mont,  and  Wash. ;  winters  from  cen.  Calif,  to  Guat. ;  in 
migration  e.  to  e.  Wyo.,  e.  Colo.,  and  w.  Tex. 

669.  Dendroica  occidentalis.   Hermit  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Up.  Tran.  zone  from  nw.  Wash,  to  s.  Sierra  Nev.  in  Calif.; 
in  migration  to  Nev.  and  Ariz.;  winters  in  Mex.  and  Guat. 

671.  Dendroica  vigor  si.    Pine  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Aus.  zones  from  n.  Man.,  n.  Mich.,  s.  Ont.,  s.  Que., 
and  N.B.  s.  to  Fla.,  Gulf  States,  and  Tex.;  winters  froms.  111.,  and  Va.  to 
Fla.,  Rio  Grande  Vail.,  and  Tamaulipas. 

672.  Dendroica  palmarum  palmarum.    Palm  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Can.  zone  from  s.  Mack.,  and  cen.  Keew.  to  n.  Minn.;  win- 
ters from  s.  Fla.  and  Bahamas  to  Greater  Antilles  and  Yucatan;  acci- 
dental in  Ore.,  Calif.,  Mont.,  and  Colo. 

674.  Seiurus  aurocapillus.   Oven-bird. 

Breeds  in  Can.,  Tran.,  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  from  sw.  Mack,  (casually 
low.  Yukon  Vail.),  n.  Ont.,  s.  Ung.,  and  Newf.  s.  to  Va.  (in  mts.  to  Ga. 
and  S.C.),  s.  Mo.,  Kan.,  Colo.,  and  cen.  Alb.;  winters  from  cen.  Fla. 
(casually  S.C.)  and  islands  on  La.  coast,  Bahamas,  W.I.,  and  Nuevo 
Leon  to  Colombia. 

675.  Seiurus  noveboracensis  noveboracensis.   Water-Thrush. 

Breeds  chiefly  in  Can.  zone  from  n.  Ont.,  n.  Ung.,  and  Newf.  s.  to  W.V. 
and  Pa.  (in  mts.),  n.  New  Eng.,  and  cen.  Ont.;  winters  from  Vail,  of  Mex. 
to  Colombia  and  Brit.  Guiana  and  from  Bahamas  through  W.I.;  regular 
migrant  at  Brownsville,  Tex. 
675a.  S.  n.  notabilis.   Grinnell  Water-Thrush. 

Breeds  chiefly  in  Boreal  zones  from  limit  of  trees  in  nw.  Alaska,  n. 
Yukon,  nw.  and  cen.  Mack.,  and  cen.  Keew.  s.  to  nw.  Mich.,  nw.  Neb., 
cen.  Mont.,  and  s.  B.C.;  winters  in  Cuba  and  Bahamas  and  from  Mex.  to 
n.  S.  Am.;  casual  in  Calif.,  etc. 

676.  Seiurus  motacilla.   Louisiana  Water-Thrush. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Carolinian  zone  from  se.  Neb.,  se.  Minn.,  and  s.  part 
of  Mich.,  N.Y.,  and  New  Eng.  s.  to  Ga.  and  ne.  Tex.;  winters  from  n. 


ADDENDA  531 

Mex.  to  Colombia,  Greater  Antilles,  and  Bahamas;  regular  migrant  at 
Brownsville,  Tex. 

680.  Oporornis  tolmiei.   Macgillivray  Warbler. 

Breeds  mainly  in  low.  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  cen.  B.C.,  cen.  Alb., 
s.  Sask.,  and  sw.  S.D.  s.  to  n.  N.M.,  s.  Ariz.,  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from 
L.C.  to  Colombia;  casual  in  migration  to  N.D.,  Neb.,  and  cen.  Tex. 

681.  Geothlypis  trichas  trichas.    Maryland  Yellow-throat. 

Breeds  in  Can.,  Tran.,  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  from  N.D.  (w.  to  101°), 
n.  Ont.,  and  s.  Lab.  s.  to  Va.,  Gulf  States,  and  Tex.  (Brownsville) ;  winters 
from  N.C.  and  La.  to  Fla.,  the  Bahamas,  Cuba,  Jamaica,  Guat.,  and  C.R. 
681a.  G.  t.  occidentalis.  Western  Yellow-throat. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  and  Son.  zones  from  Alaska,  Alb.,  Sask.,  and 
N.D.  s.  to  w.  Tex.,  Chihuahua,  ne.  L.C.,  and  se.  Calif.;  winters  s.  to  Cape 
San  Lucas  and  Tepic. 
681c.  G.  t.  arizela.   Pacific  Yellow-throat. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Son.  zones  from  B.C.  to  Ft.  Klamath,  Ore.,  and  s. 
to  s.  Calif. ;  winters  s.  to  Cape  San  Lucas. 
681e.  G.  t.  sinuosa.    Salt  Marsh  Yellow-throat. 

Up.  Son.  zone  in  salt  marshes  about  San  Francisco  Bay  (in   Marin, 
Contra  Costa,  Alameda,  and  Santa  Clara  cos.) 
682.1.  Chamcethlypis  poliocephala.    Rio  Grande  Yellow-throat. 

Low.  Son.  zone  of  Low.  Rio  Grande  Vail.,  s.  to  Michoacan. 
683.  Icteria  virens  mrens.   Yellow-breasted  Chat. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Aus.  zones  from  s.  Minn.,  Mich.,  Ont.,  s.  N.Y.,  and 
s.  New  Eng.  s.  to  n.  Fla.,  Gulf  States,  and  se.  Tex.;  winters  from  Puebla, 
Vera  Cruz,  and  Yucatan  to  Costa  Rica;  regular  migrant  at  Brownsville. 
683a.  /.  v.  longicauda.    Long-tailed  Chat.     - 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Son.  zones  from  s.  B.C.,  cen.  Mont.,  and  N.D. 
s.  to  Guanajuato  and  Jalisco;  winters  on  tableland  and  w.  coast  from  Chi- 
huahua to  Oaxaca. 

685.  Wilsonia  pusilla  pusilla.   Wilson  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zones  from  tree  limit  in  Mack.,  Keew.,  Ung.,  and  Newf . 
s.  to  N.S.,  Me.,  cen.  Ont.,  n.  Minn.,  and  s.  Sask.;  winters  from  s.  Mex.  to 
C.R.;  west  in  migration  to  Plains. 
685a.   W.  p.  pileolata.   Pileolated  Warbler. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zones  from  n.  Alaska  to  Queen  Charlotte  Is. ;  winters 
from  Durango  and  Nuevo  Leon  to  Panama. 
6856.   W.  p.  chryseola.    Golden  Pileolated  Warbler. 

Breeds  on  coastal  slope  from  s.  B.C.  to  s.  Calif. ;  winters  in  L.C.,  Sonora, 
and  Chihuahua;  casual  in  migration  in  e.  Ore.  and  Ariz. 

686.  Wilsonia  canadensis.    Canada  Warbler. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Can.  zone  from  cen.  Alb.,  s.  Keew.,  n.  Ont.,  and  Newf. 
s.  (along  Allegs.  to  N.C.  and  Tenn.),  to  Mass.,  s.  Ont.,  and  cen.  Minn.; 
winters  in  Ecuad.  and  Peru  and  casually  Guat. ;  in  migration  to  Puebla 
and  Tamaulipas;  casual  in  Colo. 

687.  Setophaga  ruticilla.    Redstart. 

Breeds  in  Can.,  Tran.,  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  from  cen.  B.C.,  w.  cen.  Mack., 
s.  Keew.,  n.  Que.,  and  Newf.  s.  to  N.C.,  cen.  Okla.,  Colo.,  n.  Utah,  and 
Wash,  (rare  in  se.  U.S.  s.  of  lat.  35°) ;  winters  in  W.I.  and  from  Puebla, 
Mex.,  to  Ecuad.  and  Brit.  Guiana;  casual  in  migration  in  Ore.,  Calif., 
L.C.,  Ariz.,  and  n.  Ung. 

688.  Setophaga  picta.    Painted  Redstart. 

Mainly  in  Tran.  zone  in  mts.  of  cen.  Ariz.,  s.  N.M.,  Coahuila,  and  Nuevo 
Leon,  and  s.  over  Mex.  tableland  to  Vera  Cruz,  Oaxaca,  and  Guerrero. 
690.  Cardellina  rubrifrons.    Red-faced  Warbler. 

Mainly  in  Tran.  zone  in  mts.  of  s.  Ariz,  and  sw.  N.M.  and  s.  through 
Mex.  to  highlands  of  Guat. 
697.  Anthus  rubescens.   Pipit. 

Breeds  in  Arctic  zone  from  ne.  Siberia,  n.  Alaska,  n.  Mack.,  cen  Keew. 
and  Newf.;  on  high  mts.  s.  to  N.M.,  Colo.,  and  Calif.,  and  from  Aleutians 


532  ADDENDA 

to  Prince  Wm.  Sound;  winters  from  s.  Calif,  and  Ohio  and  Del.  vails,  to 
Gulf  coast  and  Guat. 

700.  Anthus   spraguei.   Sprague  Pipit. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  from  sw.  Sask.  and  s.  Man.  s.  to  N.D.  and  w.  Mont. ; 
winters  from  s.  La.  and  Tex.,  through  e.  and  cen.  Mex.  to  Vera  Cruz, 
Puebla,  and  Michoacan. 

701.  Cinclus  mexicanus  unicolor.    Dipper. 

Hud.,  Can.,  and  Tran.  zones  in  mts.  of  w.  N.  Am.  from  near  tree  limit 
in  nw.  Alaska,  ne.  B.C.,  and  w.  cen.  Alb.  s.  to  s.  N.M.  and  n.  L.C. 

702.  Oreoscoptes  montanus.    Sage  Thrasher. 

Breeds  on  arid  sagebrush  plains  and  foothills  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Son. 
zones  from  s.  B.C.,  cen.  Mont.,  and  w.  Neb.  s.  to  n.  N.M.  and  e.  cen. 
Calif.;  winters  from  s.  Calif,  and!  mts.  of  cen.  Tex.  to  Tamaulipas,  Chi- 
huahua, Cape  San  Lucas,  and  (casually)  Guadalupe  I. 
703a.  Mimus  polyglottos  leucopterus.    Western  Mockingbird. 

Breeds  chiefly  in  Son.  zones  from  cen.  Calif.,  s.  Wyo.,  and  nw.  Neb.  s. 
to  Oaxaca  and  Cape  San  Lucas. 

704.  Dumetella  carolinensis.    Catbird. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  and  Aus.  zones  from  cen.  B.C.  to  s.  Que.  and 
N.S.  s.  to  n.  Fla.,  e.  Tex.,  ne.  N.M.,  n.  Utah,  and  ne.  Ore.;  winters  from 
s.  states  to  Bahamas  and  Cuba,  and  through  Mex.  to  Panama. 

705.  Toxostoma  rufum.    Brown  Thrasher. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  and  Aus.  zones  from  s.  Alb.,  s.  Man.,  n.  Mich., 
s.  Ont.,  and  n.  Me.  s.  to  n.  Fla.,  and  w.  to  e.  La.  and  base  of  Rocky  Mts.  in 
Colo.,  Wyo.,  and  Mont. 

706.  Toxostoma  longirostre  sennetti.    Sennett  Thrasher. 

Low.  Son.  and  Up.  Trop.  zones  from  Low.  Rio  Grande  Vail,  and  Gulf 
coast  of  Tex.  s.  to  Tamaulipas,  Nuevo  Leon,  and  San  Luis  Potosi. 

707.  Toxostoma  curvirostre  curvirostre.    Curve-billed  Thrasher. 

Son.  and  arid  Trop.  zones  from  se.  N.M.,  Rio  Grande  Vail.,  and  s.  Gulf 
coast  of  Tex.  s.  to  Vera  Cruz  and  Oaxaca. 
707a.   T.  c.  palmeri.    Palmer  Thrasher. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  w.  cen.  Ariz,  and  sw.  N.M.  s.  to  Chihuahua  and 
Sonora. 

708.  Toxostoma  bendirei.    Bendire  Thrasher. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Son.  deserts  of  se.  Calif.,  s.  Ariz.,  and  n.  Sonora;  winters 
s.  to  n.  Sinaloa. 

710.  Toxostoma  redivivum.    California  Thrasher. 

Foothills  and  vails,  of  Calif,  w.  of  Sierra  Nev.,  breeding  in  Son.  zones 
from  Shasta  Co.  s.  to  San  Pedro  Martir  Mts.  and  San  Quintin,  L.C. 

711.  Toxostoma  lecontei  lecontei.   Leconte  Thrasher. 

Low.  Son.  deserts  of  s.  Calif.,  s.  Nev.,  and  sw.  Utah  s.  to  Cape  Lobos, 
Sonora,  and  San  Felipe  Bay,  L.C. 

712.  Toxostoma  crissale.    Crissal  Thrasher. 

Breeds  in  Son.  deserts  from  se.  Calif,  to  w.  Tex.  and  s.  to  Chihuahua, 
Sonora,  and  n.  L.C. 

713.  Heleodytes  brunneicapillus  couesi.    Cactus  Wren. 

Low.  Son.  deserts  from  s.  parts  of  Calif.,  Nev.,  Utah,  N.M.,  and  Tex.  s. 
to  n.  L.C.  and  n.  states  of  Mex. 
7l3a.  H.  b.  bryanti.    Bryant  Cactus  Wren. 

Low.  Son.  zone  on  Pac.  coast  of  s.  Calif,  and  n.  L.C. 
715.  Salpinctes  obsoletus  obsoletus.    Rock  Wren. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  and  Son.  zones  from  s.  B.C.,  w.  cen.  Alb.,  sw. 
Sask.,  and  w.  N.D.  s.  to  w.  Iowa  (casually),  cen.  Tex.,  San  Luis  Potosi, 
and  Zacatecas;  winters  in  s.  part  of  U.S.  range  and  in  Mex. 
715a.  S.  o.  pulverius.    San  Nicolas  Rock  Wren. 
'    San  Nicolas  I.,  Calif. 
717.  Catherpes  mexicanus  albifrons.   Wliite-throated  Wren. 

Low.  Son.  zone  of  sw.  Tex.,  near  mouth  of  Pecos  R.,  and  n.  part  of 
Mex.  tableland  from  Nuevo  Leon  to  Zacatecas. 


ADDENDA  533 

717a.  C.  m.  conspersus.    Canon  Wren. 

Up.  and  Low.  Son.  zones  of  Gt.  Basin  and  Rocky  Mt.  region  from  e. 
Calif.,  Nev.,  and  se.  Colo.  s.  to  w.  Tex.,  Chihuahua,  Sonora,  and  L.C. 
7176.  C.  m.  punctulatus.    Dotted  Canon  Wren. 

Son.  zones  of  se.  Wash.,  Ore.,  and  w.  cen.  Idaho  s.  to  Kern  and  River- 
side counties,  Calif. 
718.   Thryothorus  ludovicianus  ludovicianus.   Carolina  Wren. 

Breeds  in  Aus.  zones  in  e.  U.S.  and  w.  to  about  101°  in  Tex.;  resident 
nearly  throughout  its  range;  winters  in  Rio  Grande  Vail,  at  mouth  of 
Pecos. 
7186.   T.  1.  lomitensis.    Lomita  Wren. 

Low.  Son.  zone  in  Low.  Rio  Grande  Vail.,  Tex.,  and  n.  Tamaulipas. 
719a.   Thryomanes  bewicki  spilurus.   Vigors  Wren. 

Coast  region  of  mid.  Calif,  from  Sonoma  Co.  to  Monterey. 
7196.   T.  6.  bairdi.   Baird  Wren. 

Sonoran  zones  of  Gt.  Basin  and  Mex.  from  e.  Calif,  to  Colo,  and  s.  over 
tablelands  to  Zacatecas;  casual  in  Wyo. 
7l9c.   T.  6.  cry  plus.   Texas  Wren. 

Breeds  in  Sonoran  zones  of  s.  Plains  region  from  Kan.  and  Tex.  (except 
extreme  w.  part)  s.  to  Tamaulipas  and  Nuevo  Leon. 
7l9d.     T.  6.  charienturus.   San  Diego  Wren. 

Sonoran  zones  in  Sacramento  and    San   Joaquin  vails,  and  adjacent 
foothills  n.  to  Shasta  Co.,  and  coast  region  of  s.  Calif,  s.  to  about  28°  in 
L.C.  and  on  Santa  Catalina  I. 
719e.   T.  b.  calophonus.    Seattle  Wren. 

Tran.  zone  of  Pac.  slope  from  s.  Vane.  I.  and  vail,  of  Fraser  R.,  s.  B.C., 
s.  to  Ore. 
719.1.   Thryomanes  leucophrys.   San  Clemen te  Wren. 

San  Clemente  I.,  Calif. 
721a.   Troglodytes  aedon  parkmani.   Western  House  Wren. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  s.  B.C.,  n.^Alb.,  cen.  Sask., 
and  s.  Man.  s.  to  s.  111.,  s.  Mo.,  sw.  Tex.,  s.  Ariz,  and  San  Pedro  Martir 
Mts.,  L.C. 
722a.  Nannus  hiemalis  pacificus.   Western  Winter  Wren. 

Breeds  from  Prince  Wm.  Sound,  Alaska  and  w.  Alb.  s.  to  n.  Colo,  and 
cen.  Calif. ;  winters  in  s.  B.C.  and  s.  to  s.  Calif,  and  s.  N.M. 
724.  Cistothorus  stellaris.   Short-billed  Marsh  Wren. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  from  se.  Sask.,  s.  Keew.,  s.  Ont., 
and  s.  Me.  s.  to  n.  Del.,   cen.   Ind.,   cen.    Mo.,   and  e.   Kan.;  winters 
from  s.  111.  and  s.  N.J.  to  Fla.,  La.,  and  s.  Tex.;  accidental  in  Colo,  and 
Mont. 
725a.   Telmatodytes  palustris  paludicola.   Tule  Wren. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Son.  zones  from  B.C.  to  s.  Calif.;  winters  from 
Wash,  to  nw.  Sonora  and  Cape  San  Lucas. 
725c.   T.  p.  plesius.    Western  Marsh  Wren. 

Breeds  mainly  in  arid  Up.  Son.  Zone  from  cen.  B.C.  to  N.M.  and  ne. 
Calif.;  winters  from  Calif,  and  cen  Tex.  s.  to  Tamaulipas,  Sinaloa,  and 
Cape  San  Lucas. 
725d.   T.  p.  iliacus.   Prairie  Marsh  Wren. 

Plains  and  prairies  of  cen.  N.Am.;  winters  to  Vera  Cruz  and  Fla. 
726a.  Certhia  familiaris  albescens.    Mexican  Creeper. 

Low.  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  s.  Ariz.  s.  to  Tepic  and  Zacatecas.^ 
7266.  C.  /.  montana.   Rocky  Mountain  Creeper. 

Boreal  zones  from  cen.  Alaska,  cen.  B.C.,  and  cen.  Alb.  s.  in  Rocky 
Mts.  to  N.M.  and  Ariz.;  in  winter  to  se.  Calif,  and  probably  Mex. 
726c.  C.  f.  occidentalis.    California  Creeper. 

Pac.  coast  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  Sitka  to  Santa  Cruz  Mts.,  Calif. 
726d.   C.  f.  zelotes.    Sierra  Creeper. 

Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  ne.  Wash.,  Cascades,  and  Sierra  Nev.  Mts. 
8.  to  San  Jacinto  Mts.,  in  winter  spreading  into  adjacent  valleys. 


534  ADDENDA 

727a.  Sitta  carolinensis  aculeata.   Slender-billed  Nuthatch. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  from  s.  B.C.  s.  (east  to  Cascades  and  Sierra 
Nev.)  to  n.  L.C. 
727c.  S.  c.  nelsoni.   Rocky  Mountain  Nuthatch. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  of  interior  from  s.  B.C.,  cen.  Alb.,  and  w. 
Man.  s.  (between  Rocky  Mts.  and  Sierra  Nevada  and  Cascades)  to  Coa- 
huila,  Chihuahua,  and  Sonora. 
728.  Sitta  canadensis.   Red-breasted  Nuthatch. 

Breeds  in  Can.  zone  from  Up.  Yukon  Vail.,  s.  Mack.,  n.  Que.,  and  Newf. 
s.  to  Mass,  and  Minn.,  in  Alleg.  to  N.C.,  in  Rocky  Mts.  to  N.M.   and 
Ariz.,  and  in  Sierra  Nev.  to  Calif. 
730.  Sitta  pygmcea  pygm&a.   Pygmy  Nuthatch. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  from  s.  B.C.  and  Mont.  s.  to  Vera  Cruz,  Puebla, 
and  Michoacan. 
730a.  S.  p.  lenconucha.   White-naped  Nuthatch. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  from  San  Diego  Co.,  Calif.,  s.  to  San  Pedro  Martir 
Mts.,  L.C. 

732.  BoBolophus  atricristatus  atricristatus.   Black-crested  Titmouse. 
Low.  Son.  and  Arid  Trop.  zones  from  Rio  Grande  Vail.  s.  through  e. 

Mex.  to  n.  Vera  Cruz,  San  Luis  Potosi,  and  Coahuila. 
732a.  B.  a.  sennetti.    Sennett  Titmouse. 

Low.  Son.  zone  of  cen.  Tex.  from  Tom  Green  and  Concho  counties  e. 
to  Brazos  R.,  and  from  Young  Co.  s.  to  Nueces  and  Bee  counties. 

733.  Bceolophus  inornatus  inornatus.    Plain  Titmouse. 

Up.  Son.  zone  from  Mendocino  and  Siskiyou  counties,  Calif.,  to  n.  L.C. 
733a.  B.  i.  griseus.  Gray  Titmouse. 

Breeds  in  Up.  Son.  zone  of  arid  nits,  from  Nev.  and  Idaho  s.  to  w.  Tex., 
se.  N.M.,  s.  Ariz.,  and  se.  Calif. 

734.  Bceolophus  wollweberi.   Bridled  Titmouse. 

Breeds  mainly  in  mts.  of  Up.  Son.  zone  of  s.  Ariz.,  and  s.  N.M.  s.  through 
Mex.  to  Vera  Cruz,  Oaxaca,  and  Guerrero. 
735a.  Penthestes  atricapillus  septentrionalis.   Long-tailed  Chickadee. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  Kenai  Penin.,  Alaska,  cen. 
Mack.,  and  sw.  Keew.  s.  to  w.  Iowa,  e.  Kan.,  n.  N.M.,  and  e.  Ore.;  s.  in 
winter  to  cen.  Tex. 
7356.  P.  a.  occidentalis.   Oregon  Chickadee. 

Tran.  zone  of  nw.  coast  from  B.C.  to  Ore. 
736a.  Penthestes  carolinensis  agilis.    Plumbeous  Chickadee. 

Low.  Aus.  zone  from  n.  Okla.  and  nw.  Tex.  to  Refugio,  Kendall,  and 
Kerr  cos.,  Tex.,  e.  to  nw.  La. 

737.  Penthestes  sclateri.   Mexican  Chickadee. 
Mts.  of  s.  Ariz,  and  Mex.  to  Oaxaca. 

738.  Penthestes  gambeli  gambeli.    Mountain  Chickadee. 

Can.  and  Tran.  zones  in  mts.  from  cen.  B.C.,  w.  cen.  Alb.,  ande.  cen. 
Mont.  s.  in  mts.  of  w.  Tex.,  N.M.,  and  Ariz. 
738a.  P.  g.  baileyce.   Bailey  Mountain  Chickadee. 

Mts.  of  s.  Calif,  and  n.  L.C. 

740.  Penthestes  hudsonicus  hudsonicus.   Hudsonian  Chickadee. 

Breeds  in  Hud.  and  Can.  zones  from  Kowak  Vail.,  Alaska,  and  tree 
limit  in  cen.  Mack,  and  cen.  Keew.  s.  to  Ung.,  cen.  Ont.,  n.  Man.,  casu- 
ally Mont.,  cen.  Alb.,  and  s.  B.C. 

741.  Penthestes  rufescens  rufescens.   Chestnut-backed  Chickadee. 

Pac.  coast  in  Can.  and  humid  Tran.  zones  from  Prince  Wm.  Sound, 
Alaska,  to  Sonoma  Co.,  Calif.,  and  e.  to  w.  Mont. 
741a.  P.  r.  neglectus.    California  Chickadee. 

Humid  Tran.  zone  of  Sonoma  and  Marin  cos.,  coast  of  Calif. 
7416.  P.  r.  barloivi.    Barlow  Chickadee. 

Tran.  zone  from  San  Francisco  Bay  to  region  of  Monterey  Bay. 
743.  Psaltriparus  minimus  minimus.    Bush-Tit. 

Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  of  Pac.  coast  from  s.  B.C.  and  n.  Wash,  to  n.  L.C. 


ADDENDA  535 

743a.  P.  m  .  calif  ornicus.   California  Bush-Tit. 

ne   Ore'.  to  s.  Calif  ^  Z°neS  °f  °te'  and  Callf'  (eXC6pt  C°ast  strip)  from 
744.  Psaltriparus  plumbeus.  Lead-colored  Bush-Tit 

^  iraT  En      £'  Son'  ZOn?S  of^arid  interior  from  e.  Ore.  and  w.  Wyo.  s. 

to  w.  lex.,  n.  Sonora,  and  se.  Calif. 

7*6.  Psaltriparus  melanotis  lloydi.   Lloyd  Bush-Tit. 

Mainly  m  Up.  Son.  zone  of  se.  desert  region  from  se.  Ariz.,  s.  N.M., 
and  Sonora'  between  Pecos  R.  and  Rio  Grande)  s.  into  Chihuahua 

746.  Auriparus  flamceps  flamceps.   Verdin. 

Son.  deserts  from  s.  Calif.,  s.  Nev.,  sw.  Utah,  se.  N.M.,  and  s.  Tex.  s. 
to  lamauhpas,  Coahuila,  Durango,  and  n.  Sonora. 
746a.  Auriparus  flamceps  lamprocephalus.   Cape  Verdin 


^™'  zone  at  Mecca'  Calif-  and  in  s.  L.C.  and  sw.  Sonora. 
742.  *  Chamcea  fasciata  fasciata.   Wren-Tit. 


.  . 

Clara  Vail   ^^  °n  6*  ^  S'  shores  of  San  Francisco  Bay  and   in  Santa 
742a.  C.  f.  henshawi.   Pallid  Wren-Tit. 

Up.  Son.  zone  of  foothills  and  valleys  of  interior  Calif,  from  Shasta 
Co.  s.  to  n.  L.C.,  and  along  coast  from  Monterey  Bay  s. 
7426.  C.  f.  phcea.    Coast  Wren-Tit. 

Humid  Tran.  zone  of  coast  of  Ore.  and  n.  Calif.  (Columbia  R.  to  Hum- 
boldt  Bay). 
742c.  C.  f.  rufula.    Ruddy  Wren-Tit. 

Humid  Tran.  coast  strip  of  Calif,  from  s.  Humboldt  Co.  s.  to  Santa 
Cruz. 

748.  Regulus  satrapa  satrapa.     Golden-crowned  Kinglet. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zones  from  s.  Keew.,  s.  Ung.,  and  Cape  Breton  I.  s.  to 
nits,  of  Mass,  and  in  higher  Alleg.  to  N.C.,  and  to  N.Y.  and  Mich.;  win- 
ters from  Iowa  (casually  Minn.),  Ont.,  and  N.B.  to  n.  Fla.,  Rio  Grande 
Vail.,  and  Tamaulipas. 
748a.  Regulus  satrapa  olivaceus.    Western  Golden-crowned  Kinglet. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zones  from  Kadiak  I.  and  Kenai  Penin.,  Alaska,  and 
n.  Alb.  s.  to  Rocky  Mts.  of  n.  N.M.  and  n.  Ariz.,  and  to  the  San  Jacinto 
Mts.,  Calif.;  winters  from  B.C.  (casually  Alaska  and  Colo.)  to  highlands 
of  Mex.  and  Guat. 

749.  Regulus  calendula  calendula.   Ruby-crowned  Kinglet. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zones  from  nw.  Alaska,  nw.  Mack.,  cen.  Keew.,  and 
w.  cen.  Ung.  s.  in  mts.  to  N.S.,  N..B.,  (casually  Me.),  n.  Ont.,  cen.  N.M.,  s. 
Ariz.,  and  s.  Calif.;  winters  from  s.  B.C.,  Iowa,  and  Va.  s.  over  U.S.  and 
Mex.  tableland  to  Guat. 
749a.  R.  c.  grinnelli.   Sitka  Kinglet. 

Breeds  from  Prince  Wm.  Sound  and  Skagway,  Alaska,  to  B.C.,  win- 
ters s.  to  mid.  Calif. 

751.  Polioptila  ccerulea  ccerulea.   Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher. 

Breeds  in  Aus.  zones  from  e.  Neb.  and  s.  parts  of  Wis.,  Mich.,  and 
Ont.,  and  sw.  Pa.,  Md.,  and  s.  N.J.  s.  to  cen.  Fla.  and  s.  Tex.  (to  Browns- 
ville) ;  winters  from  Gulf  States  to  Bahamas,  Cuba,  and  through  e.  Mex. 
to  Yucat.  and  Guat. 
75  la.  P.  c.  obscura.   Western  Gnatcatcher. 

Son.  zones  from  Siskiyou  Co.,  Calif.,  s.  Nev.,  s.  Utah,  and  Colo.  s.  to 
Pecos  River,  Tex.,  Guanajuato,  Mex.,  and  Cape  region  of  L.C.;  win- 
ters from  s.  Calif,  and  s.  Ariz.  s.  to  Puebla,  Morelas,  polima,  and  Cape 
San  Lucas.  -H 

752.  Polioptila  plumbea.   Plumbeous  Gnatcatcher. 

Low.  Son.  zone  from  se.  Calif,  to  Rio  Grande  Vail.,  Tex.,  s.  to  Tamau- 
lipas, Nuevo  Leon,  Sonora,  and  Cape  San  Lucas. 

1  Genus  Chamcea  having  been  removed  from  Family  Paridce  and  put  in  Family 
Chamceidce  following  Paridce,  the  numeration  of  the  old  Check-List  appears  incor- 
rect. 


536  ADDENDA 

753.  Polioptila  calif ornica.   Black-tailed  Gnatcatcher. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Up.  Son.  zone  from  Ventura  Co.  s.  to  San  Fernando, 
L.C.;  in  winter  to  Espiritu  Santo  I.;  casual  e.  to  Ft.  Yuma. 

754.  Myadestes  townsendi.   Townsend  Solitaire. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zones  from  e.  cen.  Alaska,  sw.  Mack.,  and  w.  Alb.  s. 
through  Rocky  Mts.  to  N.M.  and  Ariz.,  and  through  Sierra  Nevada  to 
San  Bernardino  Mts.,  Calif.;  reported  breeding  in  Tran.  zone  in  mts.  of 
Durango,  Zacatecas,  and  Coahuila;  winters  from  s.  B.C.  and  Mont.  s. 
straggling  to  cen.  Tex.,  Kan.,  and  111. 

755.  Hylocichla  mustelina.   Wood  Thrush. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Son.  zones  of  e.  cen.  U.S.  w.  to  101°  in  s.  S.D.  and 
n.  Neb.;  casual  in  Colo.;  casual  migrant  in  Cuba;  winters  from  Puebla  to 
Nicar.  and  C.R. 
756a.  Hylocichla  fuscescens  salicicola.   Willow  Thrush. 

Breeds  in  Low.  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  s.  B.C.,  cen.  Alb.,  cen.  Sask., 
and  s.  Man.  s.  to  cen.  Iowa,  n.  N.M.,  Utah,  Nev.,  and  cen.  Ore.;  winters 
in  S.A.  to  Brazil. 

757.  Hylocichla  alicice  alicioe.   Gray-cheeked  Thrush. 

Breeds  in  Hud.  zone  in  narrow  belt  s.  of  tree  limit  from  ne.  Siberia, 
through  nw.  Alaska,  nw.  Mack.,  and  cen.  Keew.,  to  cen.  Ung.,  and  in 
Newf . ;  migrates  along  e.  coast  of  Cen.  Am.  and  winters  in  Colomb.,  Ecuad., 
Peru,  Venez.,  and  B.  Guiana;  w.  in  migration  to  Mont.,  Kan.,  and  Tex. 

758.  Hylocichla  ustulata  ustulata.    Russet-backed  Thrush. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  Juneau,  Alaska,  to  San  Diego  Co., 
Calif.;  winters  from  Vera  Cruz,  Guat.,  and  Costa  Rica  to  e.  Ecuad.  and 
Brit.  Guiana. 
758a.  H.  u.  swainsoni.   Olive-ba.cked  Thrush. 

Breeds  in  low.  Hud.  and  Can.  zones  from  nw.  Alaska,  nw.  Mack., 
cen.  Keew.,  s.  Ung.,  and  Newf.  s.  to  W.Va.  (mts.  from  Mass,  to  Pa.), 
N.Y.,  n.  Mich.,  Colo.,  Utah,  Nev.,  e.  Ore.,  and  Kenai  Penin.,  Alaska; 
winters  from  s.  Mex.  to  Peru,  Bolivia,  Brazil,  and  Argent. 

759.  Hylochichla  guttata  guttata.   Alaska  Hermit  Thrush. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Hud.  zone  from  Mt.  McKinley,  Alaska,  s.  to   Kadiak 
T.  and  Cross  Sound;  winters  s.  to  Tamaulipas,  Nuevo  Leon,  Chihuahua, 
Sonora,  and  L.C.;  in  migration  e.  to  e.  Ore.,  Nev.,  N.M.,  and  Tex. 
759a.  H.  g.  auduboni.   Audubon  Hermit  Thrush. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Up.  Tran.  zones  from  B.C.  and  Mont.  s.  to  N.M. 
and  Toyabe  Mts.,  Ariz.;  winters  in  w.  and  cen.  Tex.  and  s.  over  Mex. 
tableland  to  Guat. 
759c.  H.  g.  nanus.   Dwarf  Hermit  Thrush. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  Cross  Sound,  Alaska,  s.  to  coast 
region  of  s.  B.C.;  winters  s.  to  Calif.,  Ariz.,  and  N.M. 
759d.  H.  0.  slevini.    Monterey  Hermit  Thrush. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  zone  of  coast  belt  in  Calif,  from  n.  Trinity  to  s.  Mon- 
terey cos.;  s.  in  migration  to  L.C.  and  Sonora. 
759e.  H.  g.  sequoiensis.    Sierra  Hermit  Thrush. 

Breeds  in  Boreal  zones  from  s.  B.C.  to  high  mts.  of  s.  Calif.;  s.  in  mi- 
gration and  in  winter  to  L.C.,  w.  Mex.,  and  w.  Tex. 
761.  Planesticus  migratorius  migratorius.    Robin. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  se.  Alaska,  s.  B.C.,  and  s., 
Mont.  s.  (e.  to  Gt.  Plains)  to  Vera  Cruz,  Oaxaca,  and  Jalisco;  winters 
from  Kan.,  Ohio  Vail.,  and  N.J.  to  Fla.,  Gulf  coast,  and  Nuevo  Leon. 
761a.  P.  m.  propinguus.   Western  Robin. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Can.  and  Tran.  zones  from  se.  Alaska,  s.  B.C.,  Mont., 
and  Black  Hills  s.  to  Vera  Cruz,  Oaxaca,  Jalisco,  and  s.  Calif. ;  winters 
from  s.  B.C.  and  Wyo.  s.  to  highlands  of  Guat. 
763.  Ixoreus  ncevius  ncevius.   Varied  Thrush. 

Breeds  in  Can.  and  up.  Tran.  zones  from  Yakutat  Bay,  Alaska,  s.  to 
Humboldt  Co.,  Calif.;  winters  from  extreme  s.  Alaska  s.  to  Colo.  R.  in  s. 
Calif.  Reported  from  Colo,  in  winter. 


ADDENDA  537 

763a.  /.  n.  meruloides.   Northern  Varied  Thrush. 

Breeds  in  Hud.  and  up.  Can.  zones  from  Yukon  Delta,  Kowak  Vail.,  and 
Mack.  Delta  s.  to  Prince  Wm.  Sound  and  s.  part  of  Mack.  Vail.,  and  s. 
in  mts.  through  e.  B.C.  to  nw.  Mont,  and  ne.  Ore.;  winters  mainly  in 
interior  of  Calif,  s.  to  Los  Angeles  Co. 

766.  Sialia  sialis  sialis.    Bluebird. 

Breeds  in  Tran.  and  Up.  Aus.  zones  from  se.  Canada  s.  to  Fla.,  Gulf 
coast,  and  s.  Tex.,  casually  w.  to  Colo.,  Wyo.,  and  Mont.;  winters  most 
commonly  s.  of  Ohio  Vail,  and  Mid.  States. 
766a.  S.  s.  fulva.   Azure  Bluebird. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  from  mts.  of  s.  Ariz.  s.  to  Vera  Cruz, 
Oaxaca,  and  Jalisco;  winters  s.  to  n.  Guat. 

767.  Sialia  mexicana  occidentalis.   Western  Bluebird. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  from  s.  B.C.  to  w.   Mont,  and  n.  Idaho, 
and  s.  to  San  Jacinto  Mts.,  s.  Calif.;  winters  s.  to  San  Pedro  Martir  Mts., 
L.C. 
767a.  S.  m.  bairdi.    Chestnut-backed  Bluebird. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  from  Utah,  Colo.,  and  w.  Tex.,  s.  to  Du- 
rango  and  Zacatecas;  winters  from  s.  Utah  and  s.  Colo.  s.  to  Sonora  and 
Zacatecas. 
7676.  S.  m.  anabelce.    San  Pedro  Bluebird. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Tran.  zone  from  mts.  of  n.  Calif,  and  Nev.  to  San 
Pedro  Martir  Mts.,  L.C. 

768.  Sialia  currucoides.    Mountain  Bluebird. 

Breeds  mainly  in  Can.  zones  from  s.  Yukon,  nw.  B.C.,  cen.  Alb.,  cen. 
Sask.,  and  sw.  Man.  s.  to  w.  Neb.,  mts.  of  Chihuahua  and  Ariz.,  and 
Sierra  Nevada  and  Cascades;  winters  from  Calif,  and  Colo.  s.  to  T.ex., 
Kan.,  Sonora,  and  Guadalupe  I.,  L.C.;  casual  at  Gt.  Slave  Lake. 


BOOKS   OF  REFERENCE 

(See  pp.  xliv-xlix.) 

GENERAL   WORKS. 

BEEBE,  C.  W.  The  Bird.  Its  Form  and  Function.  Henry  Holt  &  Co., 
New  York.  —  Geographic  Variation  in  Birds  with  especial  reference 
to  Humidity.  Sci.  Contribs.  N.Y.  Zool.  Soc.,  vol.  i.  Sept.  1907. 

CHAPMAN,  FRANK  M.  The  Warblers  of  North  America.  D.  Appleton 
&  Co.,  New  York. 

GRINNELL,  GEORGE  BIRD.  American  Game  Bird  Shooting.  Forest  and 
Stream  Pub.  Co.,  New  York. 

HEADLEY,  F.  W.   The  Flight  of  Birds.   Witherby  &  Co.,  London. 

HORNADAY,  WILLIAM  T.  The  American  Natural  History.  Chas.  Scrib- 
ner's  Sons,  New  York. 

PYCRAFT,  W.  P.    A  History  of  Birds.    Zool.  Dept.,  Brit.  Mus.,  36  Essex 

RIDGWAY  ROBERT.  Birds  of  North  and  Middle  America.  Parts  iii.  (1904). 
iv.  (1907),  v.  (1911),  vi.  (1914).  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.  — Color  Standards  and 
Color  Nomenclature.  Pub.  by  Author.  Address  U.S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Wash- 
ington, D.C. 

PERIODICALS. 

PACIFIC  COAST  AVIFAUNA  (occasional  pubs.).  For  sale  by  W.  Lee 
Chambers,  Eagle  Rock,  Los  Angeles  Co.,  California. 

PROCEEDINGS  OF  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA.  Pubs,  m  Zool.,  Umv.  of 
Calif.,  Berkeley,  California. 


538  ADDENDA 

THE  OOLOGIST.   Editor,  R.  M.  Barnes,  Albion,  New  York. 
THE  WILSON  BULLETIN.   Editor,  Lynds  Jones,  Oberlin,  Ohio. 


STATE  LISTS. 

Alaska.  —  BISHOP.  L.  P.  Results  of  a  Biological  Reconnaissance  of  the 
Yukon  River  Region,  N.  Am.  Fauna,  19,  Biol.  Surv.  U.S.  Dept.  Agr. 
p.  47. —  CHAPMAN,  FRANK  M.  List  of  Birds  collected  in  Alaska  by  the 
Andrew  J.  Stone  Exp.  of  1901.  Am.  Mus.  Nat.  Hist.,  vol.  xvi.  art. 
xix.  p.  231;  Exp.  of  1903,  vol.  xx.  art.  xxxiv.  p.  399.  —  EVERMANN,  B. 
W.  Eighteen  Species  of  Birds  new  to  the  Pribilof  Is.  including  Four  new 
to  N.  Am.  Auk,  xxx.  15,  1913.  —  GRINNELL,  JOSEPH.  Birds  of  Kotze- 
bue  Sound  Region,  Pac.  Coast  Avifauna  No.  1,  1900;  Record  of  Alas- 
kan Birds  in  Collection  of  Leland  Stanford  Jr.  Univ.,  Condor,  iii.  19, 
1901 ;  Birds  and  Mammals  of  the  1907  Alexander  Exp.  to  South-eastern 
Alaska,  Univ.  of  Calif.  Pubs,  in  Zool.  vol.  5,  1908-10,  p.  171;  Birds 
of  the  1908  Alexander  Alaska  Exp.  Univ.  of  Calif.  Pubs,  in  Zool.  vol. 
v.  No.  12,  p.  361,  Mch.  5,  1910.  —  OSGOOD,  W.  H.  A  Biological  Re- 
connaissance of  the  Base  of  the  Alaska  Peninsula,  N.  Am.  Fauna  24, 
Biol.  Surv.  U.S.  Dept.  of  Agr.  1904;  Biological  Investigations  in  Alaska 
and  Yukon  Terr.  N.  Am.  Fauna,  30,  Biol.  Surv.  U.S.  Dept.  Agr.  1909. 

—  SWARTH,  HARRY  S.     Birds  and  Mammals  of  the  1909  Alexander 
Alaska  Exp.  Univ.  of  Calif.  Pubs,  in  Zool.  vol.  7,  No.  2,  p.  9,  Jan.  12, 
1911. 

Arizona.  —  BRENINGER,  G,  F.  A  List  of  Birds  observed  on  the  Pima 
Indian  Reservation,  Condor,  iv.  45,  1901.  —  BROWN,  HERBERT. 
Arizona  Bird  Notes,  Auk,  xx.  43,  1903.  —  FISHER,  A.  K.  A  Partial 
List  of  Birds  of  Keam  Canyon,  Condor,  v.  33,  1903.  —  FOWLER,  F.  H. 
Stray  Notes  from  Arizona,  Condor,  v.  68,  106,  1903.  —  OSGOOD,  W. 
H.  A  List  of  Birds  observed  in  Cochise  Co.,  Condor,  v.  128,  149,  1903. 

—  STEPHENS,  FRANK.   Bird  Notes  from  Eastern  California  and  West- 
ern Arizona,  Condor,  v.  75,  100,  1903.  —  SWARTH,  H.  S.   Birds  of  the 
Huachuca  Mts.,  Arizona,  Pac.  Coast  Avifauna,  No.  4,  1904;  Some 
Fall  Migration  Notes  from  Arizona,  Condor,  x.   107,   1908;  Summer 
Birds  of  the  Papago  Indian  Reservation,  Condor,  vii.  22,  1905.  —  WET- 
MORE,  ALEXANDER.    Notes  on  Some  Northern  Arizona  Birds,  Kansas 
Univ.  Sci.  Bull.  vol.  iv,  No.  19,  Sept.,  1908,  p.  377.  —  WILLARD,  F.  C. 
A  Week  Afield  in  Southern  Arizona,  Condor,  xiv.  53,  1912;  Huachuca 
Notes,  Condor,  x.  206,  1908. 

California.  —  General.  GRINNELL,  JOSEPH.  A  Bibliography  of  Calif. 
Ornithology,  Pac.  Coast  Avifauna,  No.  5,  1909;  A  Systematic  List  of 
the  Birds  of  California,  Pac.  Coast  Avifauna,  No.  8,  1912.  —  Local. 
ANDERSON,  M.  P.,  and  GRINNELL,  JOSEPH.  Birds  of  the  Siskiyou 
Mts.,  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.  January,  1903,  p.  4.  —  ANDERSON, 
M.  P.,  and  JENKINS,  H.  O.  A  Partial  List  of  Birds  from  the  Santa  Cruz 
Mts.,  Condor,  y.  153,  1903.  —  BECK,  R.  H.  Water  Birds  of  the  Vicin- 
ity of  Point  Pinos,  Proc.  Cal.  Acad.  Sci.  4th  Ser.  vol.  iii,  p.  57,  Sept. 
17,  1910.  —  BOLANDER,  Louis.  Birds  observed  from  Marysville  to 
Grass  Valley,  Condor,  ix.  22,  1907.  —  BOWLES,  J.  H.,  and  HOWELL, 
A.  B.  The  Shore  Birds  of  Santa  Barbara,  Condor,  xiv.  5,  1912.  — 
DAWSON,  W.  L.  Another  Fortnight  on  the  Farallones,  Condor,  xiii, 
171,  1911.  —  DIXON,  JOSEPH.  Land  Birds  of  San  Onofre,  viii.  91, 
1906.  —  EMERSON,  OTTO.  The  Farallon  Islands  Revisited,  1887-1903, 
Condor,  vi.  61,  1904.  —  FISHER,  W.  K.  A  List  of  Birds  observed  on 
Mt.  St.  Helena,  Condor,  ii.  135,  1900;  The  Redwood  Belt  of  North- 
western Calif.  Condor,  iv.  iii,  131,  1902.  —  GIFFORD,  E.  W.  The 
Birds  of  the  Galapagos  Is.  Proc.  Cal.  Acad.  Sci.  4th  Ser.  vol.  ii.  Pt.  1. 
Aug.  11,  1913.  —  GOLDMAN,  E.  A.  Summer  Birds  of  the  Tulare  Lake 
Region,  Condor,  x.  200,  1908.  —  GRINNELL,  JOSEPH.  A  Second  List 


ADDENDA  539 

of  the  Birds  of  the  Berkeley  Campus,  Condor,  vol.  xvi.  Jan.  20 
1914;  An  Account  of  the  Mammals  and  Birds  of  the  Lower  Colorado 
Valley,  with  especial  reference  to  the  distributional  problems  presented, 
Umv.  of  Calif.  Pubs,  in  Zool.  vol.  12,  No.  4,  pp.  51-294,  March  20,  1914- 
Birds  of  a  Voyage  on  Salton  Sea,  Condor,  x.  185,  1908;  Midwinter 
Birds  at  Palm  Springs,  Condor,  vi,  40,  1904;  Summer  Birds  of  Mt. 
Pmos,  Auk,  xxii.  378,  1905.  The  Biota  of  the  San  Bernardino  Mts., 
Univ.  of  Calif.  Pubs,  in  Zool.  vol.  5,  No.  1,  p.  1,  Dec.  31  1908  — 
GRINNELL,  JOSEPH,  and  SWARTH,  H.  S.  An  Account  of  the  Birds  and 
Mammals  of  the  San  Jacinto  Area  of  Southern  California  with  Remarks 
upon  Behavior  of  Geog.  Races  on  Margins  of  Habitats,  Univ.  of  Calif. 
Pubs,  in  Zool.  vol.  10,  No.  10,  p.  197,  Oct.  31,  1913.  —  HOLLISTER,  N. 
Birds  of  the  Region  about  Needles,  Auk,  xxv.  455,  1908.  —  JENKINS, 
H.  O.  A  List  of  Birds  collected  between  Monterey  and  San  Simeon  in 
the  Coast  Range,  Condor,  viii,  122,  1906.  —  KAEDING,  H.  B.  Bird 
Life  on  the  Farallon  Is.,  Condor,  v.  117,  1903.  —  KELLOGG,  LOUISE. 
A  Collection  of  Winter  Birds  from  Trinity  and  Shasta  Counties,  Condor, 
xiii.  118,  1911.  —  LAMB,  CHESTER.  Birds  of  a  Mohave  Desert  Oasis, 
Condor,  xiv.  33,  1912.  —  MCGREGOR,  R.  C.  A  List  of  the  Land  Birds 
of  Santa  Cruz  Co.,  Pac.  Coast  Avifauna,  No.  2,  1901.  —  MAILLARD, 
J.,  and  J.  W.  Birds  Recorded  at  Paicines,  San  Benito  Co.,  Condor  III. 
121,  1901.  —  MAILLARD,  JOSEPH,  and  GRINNELL,  JOSEPH.  Midwinter 
Birds  on  the  Mohave  Desert,  Condor,  vii.  71,  101,  1905.  —  PRICE, 
W.  W.  Some  Winter  Birds  of  the  High  Sierras,  Condor,  vi.  70,  1904.  — 
RAY,  MILTON  S.  A-Birding  in  an  Auto,  Auk,  xxiii.  401,  1906;  A 
Fortnight  in  the  Farallones,  Auk,  xxi.  425,  1904;  A  Journey  to  the  Star 
Lake  Country,  Condor,  xiv.  142,  1912;  A  List  of  the  Land  Birds  of 
Lake  Valley,  Central  Sierra  Nevada  Mts.,  Auk,  xx.  180,  1903;  A  List 
of  the  Water  Birds  of  Lake  Valley,  Condor,  v.  47,  1903;  A  Third  Trip 
to  the  High  Sierras,  Auk,  xxii.  363,  1905;  Birds  of  the  Big  Basin, 
Condor,  xi.  19,  1909;  From  Big  Creek  to  Big  Basin,  Condor,  x.  219, 
1908;  From  Tahoe  to  Washoe,  Condor,  xii.  85,  1910;  Some  Further 
Notes  on  Sierran  Field  Work,  Condor,  xvi.  198,  1913;  Summer  Birds 
of  San  Francisco  Co.,  Condor,  viii.  42,  1906.  —  RICHARDSON,  C.  H., 
JR.  A  List  of  Summer  Birds  of  Piute  Mts.,  Condor,  vi.  134,  1904; 
Spring  Notes  from  Catalina  I.,  Condor,  x.  65,  1908.  —  ROSSEM,  A. 
VAN.  Winter  Birds  of  the  Salton  Sea  Region,  xiii.  129,  1911.  —  SHARP, 
C.  S.  The  Breeding  Birds  of  Escondido,  Condor,  ix.  84,  1907.  —  SHEL- 
DON, H.  H.  A  Collecting  Trip  to  Eagle  Lake,  Sierra  Nevada  Mts., 
Condor,  ix.  185,  1907;  Notes  on  some  Birds  of  Kern  Co.,  Condor  xi. 
169,  1909.  —  STONE,  WITMER.  On  a  Collection  of  Birds  and  Mammals 
from  Mt.  Sanhedrin  (field  notes  by  A.  S.  Bunnell),  Proc.  Acad.  Nat. 
Sci.  Phila.  Oct.  17,  1904,  p.  576.  —  TYLER,  JOHN  G.  Some  Birds  of 
the  Fresno  District,  Pac.  Coast  Avifauna,  No.  9,  1913;  Some  Notes 
from  Fresno  Co.,  Condor,  xi.  81,  1909.  —  WIDMANN,  OTTO.  Yosemite 
Valley  Birds,  Auk,  xxi.  66,  1904.  —  WILLETT,  GEORGE.  Bird  Notes 
from  the  coast  of  San  Luis  Obispo  Co.,  Condor,  xi.  185,  1909;  Birds  of 
the  Pacific  Slope  of  Southern  California,  Pac.  Coast  Avifauna,  No.  7, 
1912;  Summer  Birds  of  the  Upper  Salinas  Valley  and  Adjacent  Foot- 
hills, Condor,  x.  137,  1908.  —  WILLETT,  G.,  and  JAY,  ANTONIN.  May 
Notes  from  San  Jacinto  Lake,  Condor,  xiii.  157,  1911.  —  WRIGHT,  H., 
and  SNYDER,  G.  K.  Birds  observed  in  the  summer  of  1912  among  the 
Santa  Barbara  Islands,  Condor,  xv.  86,  1913. 

Canada.  —  KERMODE,  FRANCIS.  Catalogue  of  B.C.  Birds,  Provincial 
Mus.  Victoria,  V.C.  —  MACOUN,  JOHN  and  JAMES,  Catalogue  of  Cana- 
dian Birds,  Dept.  of  Mines,  Geol.  Surv.  Branch,  Ottawa  Govt.  Printing 
Bureau,  1909.  —  PREBLE,  E.  A.  A  Biological  Investigation  of  the 
Hudson  Bay  Region,  N.  Am.  Fauna,  22,  Biol.  Surv.  U.S.  Dept.  Agr. 
1902-  Birds  tof  the  Athabasca-Mackenzie  Region,  N.  Am.  Fauna,  27, 
p.  251,  Biol/ Surv.  U.S.  Dept.  Agr.  1908.  —  SETON,  E.  E.  T.  Birds  of 
Manitoba,  A  Handbook  to  Winnipeg  and  Province  of  Manitoba,  1909; 


540  ADDENDA 

Bird  Records  from  Gt.  Slave  Lake,  Auk,  xxv.  68,  1908.  —  SWARTH, 
H.  S.  Report  on  a  Collection  of  Birds  and  Mammals  from  Vancouver 
I.,  Univ.  of  Calif.  Pubs,  in  Zool.  vol.  10,  1912-1913. 
Colorado.  —  GARY,  MERRITT.  A  Biological  Survey  of  Colorado,  N.  Am. 
Fauna,  33,  Biol.  Surv.  U.S.  Dept.  Agr.  1911.  —  COOKE,  W.  W.  The 
Birds  of  Colorado,  Third  Supplement,  Auk,  xxvi.  400,  1909;  The 
Present  Status  of  the  Colorado  Check-List,  Condor,  xiv.  147,  1912.  — 
FELGER,  A.  H.  Annotated  List  of  the  Water  Birds  of  Weld,  Morgan, 
and  Adams  Cos.,  Auk,  xxvi.  272,  1909.  —  GILMAN,  M.  F.,  Some  Birds 
of  Southwestern  Colo.,  Condor, ix.  152, 194, 1907.  —  ROCKWELL,  R.  B. 
An  Annotated  List  of  Birds  of  Mesa  Co.,  Condor,  x.  152,  1908;  Nesting 
Notes  on  Ducks  of  Barr  Lake  Region,  Condor,  xiii.  121,  186,  1911; 
Notes  on  Wading  Birds  of  Barr  Lake  Region,  Condor,  xiv,  117,  1912; 
The  History  of  Colorado  Ornithology,  Condor,  xi.  24,  1909.  —  HEN- 
DERSON, JUNIUS.  Additional  List  of  Boulder  Co.  Birds,  Univ.  of  Colo. 
Studies,  vol.  ii.  No.  2,  July,  1904.  —  HERSEY,  L.  J.,  and  ROCKWELL,  R. 
B.  An  Annotated  List  of  Birds  of  Barr  Lake  District,  Adams  Co., 
Condor,  xi.  109,  1909.  —  SCLATER,  WILLIAM  LUTLEY.  A  History  of 
the  Birds  of  Colorado,  London.  Am.  agents,  G.  E.  Stechert  &  Co., 
151  West  25th  St.,  New  York.  —  WARREN,  E.  R.  A  Collecting  Trip 
to  Southeastern  Colo.,  Condor,  viii.  18,  1906;  Northeastern  Colo. 
Bird  Notes,  Condor,  x.  18,  1908;  Notes  from  Salida,  Chaff ee  Co.,  Auk, 
xxvii.  142,  1910;  Notes  on  Birds  of  Southwestern  Montrose  Co.,  Con- 
dor, xi,  11,  1909;  Some  Central  Colo.  Bird  Notes,  Condor,  xii.  23, 
1910;  Some  North-central  Colo.  Bird  Notes,  Condor,  xiv.  81,  1912. 

—  WIDMANN,  OTTO,  List  of  Birds  observed  in  Estes  Park,  Auk,  xxviii. 
305,  1911. 

Idaho.  —  JEWETT,  S.  G.  Some  Birds  of  the  Saw-Tooth  Mts.,  Condor, 
xiv.  191,  1912. 

Kansas.  —  LANTZ,  D.  E.   A  Review  of  Kansas  Ornithology,  1897. 

Montana.  —  CAMERON,  E.  S.  The  Birds  of  Custer  and  Dawson  Cos., 
Auk,  xxiv.  241,  389,  1907;  xxv.  39,  1908.  —  COUES,  ELLIOTT.  Field 
Notes  of  Birds  observed  in  Dakota  and  Montana  along  the  49th  Paral- 
lel, Bull.  U.S.  Geol.  and  Geog.  Surv.  of  Terrs,  vol.  iv.  No.  3,  1878.  — 
MEARNS,  E.  A.  Birds  of  Ft.  Custer,  Condor,  vi.  20,  1904.  —  SAUNDERS, 
A.  A.  A  Preliminary  List  of  Birds  of  Gallatin  Co.,  Auk,  xxviii.  26, 
1911;  Bird  Notes  from  Southwestern  Montana,  Condor,  xii.  195, 1910; 
xiv.  22, 1912;  The  Birds  of  Teton  and  Northern  Lewis  and  Clark  Coun- 
ties, Mont.,  Condor,  xvi.  124,  1914.  —  SILLOWAY,  P.  M.  Additional 
Notes  to  Summer  Birds  of  Flathead  Lake  with  especial  reference  to 
Swan  Lake,  Bull.  Univ.  Mont.  No.  18,  Biol.  Ser.,  6,  1903;  Birds  of 
Fergus  Co.,  Bull.  No.  1,  Fergus  Co.  High  School. 

Nebraska.  —  BRUNER,  L.,  WALCOTT,  R.  H.,  and  SWENK,  M.  H.  Pre- 
liminary Review  of  Birds  of  Neb.,  Lincoln,  1904. 

Nevada.  —  HANNA,  W.  C.  Nevada  Notes,  Condor,  vi.  47,  1904.  —  HAN- 
FORD,  F.  S.  The  Summer  Birds  of  Washoe  Lake,  Condor,  v.  51,  1903; 
vi.  76,  1904.  —  TAYLOR,  W.  P.  Field  Notes  on  Amphibians,  Reptiles 
and  Birds  of  Northern  Humboldt  Co.,  Univ.  of  Calif.  Pubs,  in  Zool. 
vol.  vii.  No.  10,  p.  319,  Feb.  14,  1912. 

New  Mexico.  —  BAILEY,  F.  M.  Additional  Notes  on  Birds  of  Upper 
Pecos,  Auk,  xxi.  349,  1904;  Additions  to  Mitchell's  List  of  Summer 
Birds  of  San  Miguel  Co.,  Auk,  xxi.  443.  1904;  A  Drop  of  4000  Feet, 
Auk,  xxviii.  219,  1911;  Breeding  Notes  from  N.M., Condor,  vii.  39,  1905; 
Wild  Life  of  an  Alkaline  Lake,  Auk,  xxvii.  418,  1910.  —  BAILEY, 
VERNON.  Life  Zones  and  Crop  Zones  of  N.M.,  N.,  Am.  Fauna,  35, 
Biol.  Surv.  U.S.  Dept.  Agr.,  1913.  —  BERGTOLD,  W.  H.  October  Birds 
of  Headwaters  of  Gila  River,  Auk,  xxix.  327, 1912.  —  FORD,  F.  Prelimi- 
nary List  of  Birds  of  N.M.,  The  Nat.  Resources  Surv.  of  Conserv.  and 
Nat.  Resources  Comm.  of  N.M.,  1911.,  N.M.  Printing  Co.  Santa  Fe. 

—  GILMAN,  M.  F.   Birds  of  the  Navajo  Reservation,  Condor,  x.  146, 


ADDENDA  541 

1908.  —  HUNN,  J.  T.  S.  Notes  on  Birds  of  Silver  City,  Auk,  xxiii  418 
1906.  —  STONE,  WITHER,  and  REHN,  J.  A.  G.  On  the  Terrestrial  Ver- 
tebrates of  Portions  of  Southern  N.M.  and  Western  Tex.,  Proc  Acad 
Nat.  Sci.  Phila.  May  7,  1903,  p.  16. 

North  Dakota.  —  BENT,  A.  C.  Nesting  Habits  of  Anatidse  in  N.D.,  Auk, 
xviii.  328,  1901;  xix.  1,  165,  1902. 

Oregon.  —  FINLEY,  W.  L.  Among  the  Gulls  of  Klamath  Lake,  Condor, 
ix.  12,  1907;  Among  the  Sea  Birds  of  the  Oregon  Coast,  Condor,  iv. 
53,  1902;  vii.  119,  161,  1905.— JEWETT,  S.  G.  Bird  Notes  from  Netarts 
Bay,  Ore.,  Condor,  xvi.  107, 1914.  Some  Birds  of  Baker  Co.,  Auk,  xxvi." 
5,  1909.  —  MILLER,  L.  H.  The  Birds  of  John  Day  Region,  Condor, 
vi.  100,  1904.  —  PECK,  M.  E.  Summer  Birds  of  Willow  Creek  Valley, 
Malheur  Co.,  Condor,  xiii.  63,  1911. 

South  Dakota.  —  TULLSEN,  H.  My  Avian  Visitors:  Notes  from  S.D., 
Condor,  xiii,  89,  1911.  —  VISCHER,  S.  S.  An  Annotated  List  of  Birds 
of  Sanborn  Co.,  Auk,  xxx.  561,  1913 ;  Annotated  List  of  Birds  of  Hard- 
ing Co.,  Auk,  xxviii.  5,  1911;  A  Preliminary  List  of  Summer  Birds  of 
Fall  River  Co.,  Wilson  Bull.  xxiv.  1,  1912. 

Texas.  —  BAILEY,  VERNON.  Biological  Survey  of  Texas,  N.  Am.  Fauna, 
25,  Biol.  Surv.  U.S.  Dept.  Agr.  1905.  —  LACEY,  HOWARD.  The  Birds 
of  Kerrville,  Tex.,  and  Vicinity,  Auk,  xxviii.  201,  1911.  —  MONT- 
GOMERY, THOS.  H.  Summer  Resident  Birds  of  Brewster  Co.,  Auk, 
xxii.  12,  1905.  —  SMITH,  A.  P.  Miscellaneous  Bird  Notes  from  the 
Lower  Rio  Grande,  Condor,  xii.  93,  1910.  —  STRECKER,  J.  K.,  Jr. 
The  Birds  of  Texas,  Baylor  Univ.  Bull.  xv.  1912,  p.  1. 

Washington.  —  BOWLES,  J.  H.  A  Few  Summer  Birds  of  Lf>ke  Chelan, 
Condor,  x.  191,  1908;  A  List  of  Birds  of  Tacoma  and  Vicinity,  Auk, 
xxiii.  138,  1906.  —  DAWSON,  W.  L.  Bird  Colonies  of  the  Olympiades, 
Auk.  xxv.  153,  1908.  —  DAWSON,  W.  L.,  and  BOWLES,  J.  H.  The  Birds 
of  Washington,  The  Occidental  Pub.  Co.,  Seattle.  —  EDSON,  J.  M. 
Birds  of  Bellingham  Bay  Region,  Auk,  xxv,  425,  1908.  —  JOHNSON, 
R.  H.  The  Birds  of  Cheney,  Condor,  viii.  25,  1906.  —  SNODGRASS, 
R.  E.  A  List  of  Land  Birds  from  Central  and  Southeastern  Wash., 
Auk,  xxi.  223,  1904. 

Wyoming.  —  KNIGHT,  W.  C.  The  Birds  of  Wyoming.  Bull.  55,  Wyo. 
Exp.  Sta.  Univ.  of  Wyo.,  Laramie,  1902. 


BIRD    PROTECTION. 

A.O.U.  COMMITTEE  ON  BIRD  PROTECTION.   Annual  Repts.,  Auk,  xx.  101, 

1903,  xxi.  97,  1904.  Since  published  in  Bird-Lore.  —  PUBLICATIONS  OF 
BIOLOGICAL  SURVEY,    U.S.  Department  of  Agriculture.  —  DIRECTORY 
OF    STATE    OFFICIALS   AND    ORGANIZATIONS  CONCERNED  WITH    THE 
PROTECTION  OF  BIRDS  AND  GAME,  T.  S.  PALMER,  Circulars,   1900,  28; 
1901,  33-  1902,  35;  1903,  40;  1904,  44;  1905,  50;  1906,  53;   1907,  62; 
1908,  65;   1909,  70;  1910,  74;  1911,  83;    1912,  88;  1913,  94.  —  GAME 
LAWS,  T.  S.  PALMER  AND  ASSISTANTS,  Farmers'    Bulletins,   1903,  180; 
1904,207;  1905,230;  1906,  265;  1907,  308;  1908,  336;  1909,  376;  1910, 
418;  1911,  470;  1912,  510;  1913,  Bull.  U.S.  Dept.  Agr.  22,  2d;  Oct.  15, 
1913.  —  GAME  PROTECTION,  Yearbook,  T.  S.  PALMER  AND  ASSISTANTS, 

1904,  1905,   1906,  1907,  1908,  1909,  1910.  —  PUBLICATIONS  OF  MASS. 
STATE  BOARD  OF  AGRICULTURE,  E.  H.  FORBUSH,  First  Annual  Report 
of  State  Ornithologist.  Bird  Protection;  Statutory  Bird  Protection  in 
Mass. ;  Useful  Birds  and  their   Protection  1907.  —  PUBLICATIONS   OF 
STATE  FISH  AND  GAME  COMMISSIONERS,  Alaska,  Game  Laws.  —  Ari- 
zona, Game  Laws.  —  California,   Fish    and  Game    Laws;   Bulletins; 
Biennial   Reports.  —  Colorado,  Game  and   Fish  Laws;    Biennial   Re- 
ports.—  Idaho,  Fish  and  Game  Laws;  Biennial  Reports.  —  Kansas, 
Fish  and  Game  Laws;  Bulletins. — Montana,  Game  and  Fish  Laws; 


542  ADDENDA 

Biennial  Reports.  —  Nebraska,  Game  and  Fish  Laws;  Biennial  Re- 
ports. New  Mexico,  Fish  and  Game  Laws,  in  English  and  Spanish.  — 
North  Dakota,  Game  and  Fish  Laws ;  Biennial  Reports.  —  Oklahoma, 
Game  and  Fish  Laws.  —  Oregon,  Game  and  Fish  Laws;  Biennial  Re- 
ports. —  South  Dakota,  Game  Laws;  Annual  Reports.  —  Texas,  Game 
Laws;  Reports.  —  Utah,  Fish  and  Game  Laws;  Biennial  Reports.  — 
Washington,  Fish,  Oyster,  and  Game  Laws;  Annual  Reports.  —  Wyo- 
ming, Game  and  Fish  Laws;  Annual  Reports. 

FOOD   OF  BIRDS. 

BEAL,  F.  E.  L.  Birds  as  Conservators  of  the  Forest,  Rept.  New  York 
Forest,  Fish,  and  Game  Comm.  1902-1903.  —  BRYANT,  H.  C.  Birds 
in  Relation  to  a  Grasshopper  Outbreak  in  California,  Univ.  of  Calif. 
Pubs,  in  Zool.  vol.  ii.  No.  1,  pp.  1-20,  Nov.  1,  1912;  Economic  Orni- 
thology in  California,  Monthly  Bull.  State  Comm.  Hort.  1.  No.  6, 
May,  1912,  pp.  226-231 ;  Investigation  of  the  Economic  Status  of  Non- 
Game  Birds,  Calif.  Fish  and  Game  Comm.  1913;  The  Relation  of  Birds 
to  an  Insect  Outbreak  in  Northern  California,  Condor,  xiii.  195,  1911. 
—  CHAPMAN,  FRANK  M.  The  Economic  Value  of  Birds  to  the  State, 
New  York  Forest,  Fish,  and  Game  Comm.  1903.  —  FORBUSH,  E.  H. 
Useful  Birds  and  their  Protection,  Mass.  Board  Agr.  1907;  Game  Birds, 
Wild  Fowl  and  Shore  Birds,  1912.  —  HENDERSON,  JUNIUS.  The  Prac- 
tical Value  of  Birds,  Univ.  of  Colorado  Bull.,  vol.  xiii.  No.  4. —  WEED, 
CLARENCE  M.  A  Partial  Bibliography  of  Economic  Relations  of  N. 
Am.  Birds,  N.H.  Coll.  'Agr.  Exp.  Sta.  Tech.  Bull.  No.  5.  —  WEED,  C. 
M.,  and  DEARBORN,  N.  Birds  in  their  Relation  to  Man,  J.  B.  Lippin- 
cott  Co.,  1903.  —  Publications  of  Biological  Survey,  U.S.  Department 
of  Agriculture  (Index  to  publications,  1885-1911,  Bull.  43).  —  BAILEY, 
VERNON.  Birds  known  to  eat  the  Boll  Weevil,  Bull.  22,  1905.  —  BEAL, 
F.  E.  L.  Some  Common  Birds  in  their  Relation  to  Agriculture,  Bull. 
54,  revised  ed.  1904;  The  Relation  of  Birds  to  Fruit  Growing  in  Cali- 
fornia, Yearbook.  1904,1  241;  The  Relations  between  Birds  and  Insects, 
Yearbook  1908,  343 ;  Birds  of  California  in  Relation  to  the  Fruit  Indus- 
try, Pt.  i.  Bull.  30,  1907;  Pt.  ii.  Bull.  34,  1910;  Food  of  Woodpeckers 
of  U.S.  Bull.  37,  1911;  Food  of  Our  More  Important  Flycatchers, 
Bull.  44,  1912;  Our  Meadowlarks  in  Relation  to  Agriculture,  Yearbook 
1912,  279. — BEAL,  F.  E.  L.,  and  McATEE,  W.  L.  Food  of  Some 
Well  Known  Birds  of  Forest,  Farm,  and  Garden,  Farmers'  Bull.  506, 
1912.  —  DEARBORN,  N.  The  English  Sparrow  as  a  Pest,  Farmers' 
Bull.  493,  1912.  —  FISHER,  A.  K.  Hawks  and  Owls  from  the  Standpoint 
of  the  Farmer,  Circular  61,  1907;  The  Economic  Value  of  Predaceous 
Birds  and  Mammals,  Yearbook  1908,  187.  —  HENSHAW,  H.  W.  Birds 
useful  in  the  War  against  the  Cotton  Boll  Weevil,  Circular  57,  1907; 
Value  of  Swallows  as  Insect  Destroyers,  Circular  56,  1907;  Does  it  pay 
the  Farmer  to  Protect  Birds?  Yearbook  1907,  165;  Fifty  Common 
Birds  of  Farm  and  Orchard,  Farmers'  Bull.  513,  1913.  —  HOWELL, 
A.  H.  Birds  that  eat  the  Cotton  Boll  Weevil,  Bull.  25,  1906;  The  Rela- 
tion of  Birds  to  the  Cotton  Boll  Weevil,  Bull.  29,  1907;  Destruction  of 
the  Cotton  Boll  Weevil  by  Birds  in  Winter,  Circular  64,  1908;  Birds 
of  Arkansas,  Bull.  38,  1911.  — JUDD,  S.  D.  The  Grouse  and  Wild 
Turkeys  of  U.S.  and  their  Economic  Value,  Bull.  24,  1905;.  Birds  as 
Weed  Destroyed,  Yearbook  1898,  221;  The  Bob- White  and  other 
Quails  of  the  U.S.  in  their  Economic  Relations,  Bull.  21,  1905.  —  MC- 
ATEE, W.  L.  The  Horned  Larks  and  their  Relation  to  Agriculture,  Bull. 
23, 1905;  Birds  that  eat  Scale  Insects,  Yearbook  1906, 189;  Food  Habits 
of  the  Grosbeaks,  Bull.  32,  1908;  Plants  useful  to  attract  Birds  and 
Protect  Fruit,  Yearbook  1909,  185;  Our  Grosbeaks  and  their  Value  to 
Agriculture,  Bull.  456,  1911;  Woodpeckers  in  Relation  to  Trees  and 

*  In  the  Yearbook  series  the  date  of  publication  is  the  year  following  that  given  in 
the  reference. 


ADDENDA  543 

Wood  Products,  Bull.  39,  1911;  Our  Vanishing  Shore  Birds,  Circular 
79,  1911;  Three  Important  Wild  Duck  Foods,  Circular  81,  1911;  Bird 
Enemies  of  the  Codling  Moth,  Yearbook  1911,  237;  Relation  of  Birds 
to  an  Outbreak  of  Grain  Aphids,  Yearbook  1912,  397;  Index  to  Papers 
Relating  to  Food  of  Birds  by  Members  of  the  Biological  Survey  in 
Pubs,  of  U.S.  Dept.  Agr.  1885-1911,  Bull.  43, 1913.  McATEE,  W.  L., 
and  BEAL,  F.  E.  L.  Some  Common  Game,  Aquatic,  and  Rapacious 
Birds  in  Relation  to  Man,  Farmers'  Bull.  497.  1912.  —  MERRIAM,  C. 
HART,  Reports  of  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Biological  Survey.,  Ann. 
Repts.  U.S.  Dept.  Agr.  1908,  571;  1909,  533.  —  OBERHOLSER,  H.  C. 
The  North  American  Eagles  and  their  Economic  Relations,  Bull.  27, 

1906.  —  PALMER,  T.  S.    The  Danger  of  Introducing  Noxious  Animals 
and  Birds,  Yearbook,  1898,  87. 

MIGRATION. 

ANTHONY,  A.  W.  Migration  of  Richardson's  Grouse,  Auk,  xx.  25,  1903. 
—  CARPENTER,  F.  W.,  An  Astronomical  Determination  of  the  Height 
of  Birds  during  Nocturnal  Migration,  Auk,  xxiii.  210,  1906.  —  COOKE, 
W.  W.  The  Effect  of  Altitude  on  Bird  Migration,  Auk,  xxi.  338,  1904. 
Some  New  Facts  about  the  Migration  of  Birds,  Condor,  vi.  115,  1904. 
Distribution  and  Migration  of  N.  Am.  Warblers,  Bull.  18,  Biol.  Surv. 
U.S.  Dept.  Agr.  1904.  Routes  of  Migration,  Auk.  xxii.  1,  1905.  Dis- 
tribution and  Migration  of  N.  Am.  Ducks,  Geese,  and  Swans,  Bull. 
26,  Biol.  Surv.  U.S.  Dept.  Agr.  1906.  Distribution  and  Migration  of 
N.  Am.  Shore  Birds.  Bull.  35,  Biol.  Surv.  U.S.  Dept.  Agr.  1910.  Our 
Greatest  Travelers,  Nat'l.  Geographic  Mag.  Apr.  1911,  pp.  346-365. 
Distribution  and  Migration  of  N.  Am.  Herons  and  their  Allies,  Bull. 
45,  Biol.  Surv.  U.S.  Dept.  Agr.  The  Relation  of  Bird  Migration  to  the 
Weather,  Auk,  xxx.  205,  1913.  —  STONE,  WITHER.  Some  Light  on 
Night  Migration,  Auk,  xxiii.  249,  1906.  —  TROWBRIDGE,  C.  C.  The 
Relation  of  Wind  to  Bird  Migration,  Am.  Nat.  xxxvi.  1902,  737.  — 
WINKENWERDER,  H.  A.  The  Migration  of  Birds  with  especial  refer- 
ence to  Nocturnal  Flight,  Bull.  Wis.  Nat.  Hist.  Soc.  Vol.  ii.  No.  4, 
Oct.  1902,  177. 

MOULT  AND   FEATHER   STRUCTURE. 

BEEBE,  C.  W.  Preliminary  Report  on  an  Investigation  of  the  Seasonal 
Changes  of  Color  in  Birds,  Am.  Nat.  vol.  xlii.  Jan.  1908,  pp.  34-38.  — 
DWIGHT,  JONATHAN,  JR.  Plumage  Wear  in  its  Relation  to  Pallid  Sub- 
species, Auk,  xxii,  34,  1905.  —  JONES,  LYNDS.  The  Development  of 
Nestling  Feathers,  Lab.  Bull.  No.  13,  Oberlin,  Coll.,  Oberlin,  Ohio, 

1907.  —  MASCHA,  DR.  E.     The   Structure   of  Wing  Feathers,  Smith- 
sonian Misc.  Coll.  Quarterly  Issue,  vol.  iii.  pp.  1-30,  1905.  —  RIDDLE, 
OSCAR.    A  Study  of  Fundamental  Bars  in  Feathers,  Biol.  Bull.  vol.  xii. 
No.  3,  Feb.  1907,  pp.  165-174.  —  STRONG,  R.  M.  The  Development  of 
Color  in  the  Definitive  Feather,  Bull.  Mus.,  Comp.  Zool.  vol.  xl.  No.  3, 
pp.  146-186,  Oct.  1902. 

NESTS  AND   EGGS. 

HERRICK,  F.  H.  Nests  and  Nest  Building  in  Birds,  Journal  of  Animal 
Behavior,  Pt.  i,  159-192;  Pt.  ii,  244-277;  Pt.  iii.  336-373,  1911. 

PROTECTIVE   COLORATION. 

THAYER,  ABBOTT  H.,  and  GERALD  H.  Concealing  Coloration  in  the 
Animal  Kingdom,  The  Macmillan  Co.,  New  York,  1909. 


544  ADDENDA 

POPULAR   BIRD   BOOKS 

CHAPMAN,  FRANK  M.  A  Color  Key  to  North  American  Birds,  Doubleday, 
Page  &  Co.,  1903;  Camps  and  Cruises  of  an  Ornithologist,  D.  Appleton 
&  Co.,  1908.  —  FINLEY,  WM.  L.  American  Birds,  Charles  Scribner's 
Sons,  New  York,  1907.  — JOB,  H.  K.  Wild  Wings,  Houghton  Mifflin 
Co.,  1905.  ^—  SHARP,  DALLAS  LORE.  Where  Rolls  the  Oregon. 
Houghton  Mifflin  Co.,  1914.  —  TORREY,  BRADFORD.  The  Clerk  of 
the  Woods,  1903;  Field  Days  in  California,  1913,  Houghton  MifHin 
Co.  —  WHEELOCK,  I.  G.  Birds  of  California,  A.  C.  McClurg  &  Co., 
Chicago,  1904. 


INDEX 


Abert  Towhee,  368. 
Acanthis,  304,  318. 

hornemannii  exilipes,  318. 

linaria,  318,  319. 
Accipiter,  147,  151. 

atricapillus,  151,  152. 
striatulus,  151,  153. 

cooperii,  151,  152. 

velox,  151. 
Actitis,  88,  100. 

macularia,  100. 
Actochelidon,  28. 
Actodromas,  91. 
./Echmophorus,  5. 

occidentalis,  5. 
^Egialitis,  102,  103. 

meloda  circumcincta,  103,  104. 

montana,  103,  105. 

nivosa,  103,  105. 

semipalmata,  103,  104. 

vocifera,  103. 

wilsonia,  103,  105. 
Aeronautes,  229,  232. 

melanoleucus,  232. 
^Esalon,  168. 
Agelaius,  286,  289. 

gubernator  californicus,  289,  291. 

phceniceus,  289,  290. 
caurinus,  289,  291. 
fortis,  289,  291. 
neutralis,  289,  291. 
richmondi,  289,  290. 
sonoriensis,  289,  290. 

tricolor,  289,  292. 
Aiken  Screech  Owl,  184. 
Aimophila,  306,  353. 

carpalis,  353. 

ruficeps,  353,  354. 
eremoeca,  353,  355. 
scottii,  353,  354. 
Aix,  44,  55. 

sponsa,  55. 
Alaska  Hermit  Thrush,  471. 

Horned  Lark,  266- 


Alaskan  Longspur,  327. 

Pine  Grosbeak,  309. 

Three-toed  Woodpecker,  209. 

Wood  Pewee,  258. 

Yellow  Warbler,  412. 
Alauda,  265. 

arvensis,  265. 
Alaudidse,  110,  245,  265. 
Albatross,  Black-footed.  32. 

Short-tailed,  32. 

Sooty,  33. 

Yellow-nosed,  33. 
Alcedinid»,  109,  193,  198. 
AlcidEe,  2,  11. 
Alder  Flycatcher,  261. 
Allen  Hummingbird,  241. 
Alma  Thrush,  471. 
Alpine  Three-toed  Woodpecker,  209. 
American  Bittern,  73. 

Black  Tern,  31. 

Coot,  83. 

Crow,  281. 

Golden-eye,  59. 

Goshawk,  152. 

Hawk  Owl,  188. 

Merganser,  46. 

Raven,  279. 

Redstart,  429. 

Scoter,  63. 

Three-toed  Woodpecker,  209. 

White  Pelican,  42. 

Woodcock,  88. 
Amizilis,  233,  243. 

cerviniventris  chalconota,  243. 

tzacatl,  243. 
Ammodramus,  306,  330,  335. 

bairdii,  331,  333. 

beldingi,  331,  332. 

henslowii  occidentalis,  330,  334. 

leconteii,  330,  335. 

maritimus  sennetti,  330,  335. 

nelsoni,  330,  335. 

rostratus,  330,  333. 


546 


INDEX 


sandwichensis,  331. 
alaudinus,  331,  332. 
bryanti,  331,  332. 

savannarum  bimaculatus,  331, 334. 
Ampelidse,  111,  245,387. 
Ampelis,  387. 

cedrorum  388. 

garrulus,  388. 
Araphispiza,  255,  305,  350. 

belli,  350,  351. 

nevadensis,  350,  351. 

bilineata,  350. 

deserticola,  350. 
Anas,  44,  47. 

boschas,  48. 

f  ulvigula  maculosa,  48, 49. 
Anatidae,  3,  44. 
Ancient  Murrelet,  15. 
Anhinga,  39. 

anhinga,  39. 
Anhingidse,  3,  39. 
Ani,  Groove-billed,  193. 
Anna  Hummingbird,  237. 
Anser,  45,  66. 

albifrons  gambeli,  66. 
Anseres,  1,  3,  44. 
Ant-eating  Woodpecker,  216. 
Anthony  Green  Heron,  77. 

Towhee,  367. 

Vireo,  399. 
Anthus,  431. 

pensilvanicus,  431. 

sprag-ueii,  431,  432. 
Antrostoraus,  222. 

carolinensis,  222. 

vociferus,  222,  223. 

macromystax,  222,  223. 
Aphelocoma,  269,  274. 

californica,  274,  275. 
obscura,  274,  276. 

couchi,  274,  276. 

cyanotis,  274. 

insularis,  274,  276. 

sieberii  arizonae,  274,  276. 

texana,  274,  275. 

woodhouseii,  274,  275. 
Aphriza,  106. 

virgata,  106. 
Aphrizidae,  4,  84,  106. 
Aplomado  Falcon,  170. 
Aquila,  147,  163. 

chrysaetos,  163. 
Archibuteo,  147,  162. 

ferrugineus,  162,  163. 

lagopus  sancti-johannis,  162. 
Arctic  Horned  Owl,  186. 

Tern,  30. 


Three-toed  Woodpecker,  208. 

Towhee,  364. 
Ardea,  73,  74. 

caerulea,  74,  76. 

candidissima,  74,  75. 

egretta,  74,  75. 

herodias,  74,  75. 
fannini,  74,  75. 

rufescens,  75,  76. 

virescens,  75,  76. 

anthonyi,  75,  77. 
Ardeidse,  4,  70,  72. 
Ardetta,  72,  74. 

exilis,  74. 
Arenaria,  106. 

melanocephala,  106,  107. 

morinella,  106,  107. 
Arizona  Cardinal,  370. 

Crested  Flycatcher,  252. 

Goldfinch,  322. 

Hooded  Oriole,  296,  299. 

Jay,  276. 

Junco,  349. 

Pyrrhuloxia,  370. 

Woodpecker,  206. 
Arkansas  Goldfinch,  322. 

Kingbird,  248. 
Arremonops,  305,  363. 

rufivirgatus,  363. 
Ash-throated  Flycatcher,  253. 
Ashy  Petrel,  38. 
Asio,  175. 

accipitrinus,  175,  177. 

wilsonianus,  175. 
Astragalinus,  304,  319. 

lawrencei,  320,  323. 

psaltria,  320,  322. 
arizonaj,  320,  322. 
mexicanus,  320,  322. 

tristis,  320,  321. 
pallidus,  320,  321. 
salicamans,  320,  321. 
Astur,  152. 
Asturina,  147,  161. 

plagiata,  161. 
Asyndesmus,  217. 
Atthis,  232,  237,  241. 

morcomi,  241. 
Attwater  Prairie  Hen,  131. 
Audubon  Caracara,  171. 

Hermit  Thrush,  471. 

Oriole,  294. 

Warbler,  413. 
Auklet,  Cassin,  13. 

Least,  14. 

Paroquet,  14. 

Rhinoceros,  13. 


INDEX 


547 


Auriparus,  452,  462. 

flaviceps,  462. 
Avocet,  86. 
Aythya,  45,  56. 

affinis,  56,  58. 

americana,  56. 

collaris,  56,  59. 

marila,  56,  57,  59. 

vallisneria,  56,  57. 
Aztec  Wren,  449. 
Azure  Bluebird,  476. 

Baird  Sandpiper,  92. 

Sparrow,  333. 

Wren,  447. 
Baldpate,  50. 
Baltimore  Oriole,  297. 
Band-tailed  Pigeon,  138. 
Bank  Swallow,  386. 
Barn  Owl,  173. 

Swallow,  384. 
Barred  Owl,  178,  179. 
Barrow  Golden-eye,  60. 
Bartramia,  87,  99. 

longicauda,  99. 
Bartramian  Sandpiper,  99. 
Basilinna,  233,  243. 

leucotis,  243. 

Batchelder  Woodpecker,  203. 
Beardless  Flycatcher,  265. 
Becard,  Xantus,  245. 
Belding-  Jay,  276. 

Marsh  Sparrow,  332. 
Bell  Sparrow,  351. 

Vireo,  399. 
Belted  King-fisher,  198. 

Piping-  Plover,  104. 
Bendire  Sparrow,  353. 

Thrasher,  439. 
Bicolored  Blackbird,  291. 
Bittern,  American,  73. 

Least,  74. 
Black  and  White  Warbler,  402, 

-bellied  Plover,  102. 
Tree  Duck,  69. 

-billed  Cuckoo,  196. 
Magpie,  270. 

Brant,  68. 

-capped  Vireo,  397. 

-chinned  Hummingbird,  235. 
Sparrow,  345. 

-crested  Titmouse,  455. 

-crowned  Night  Heron,  77. 

-footed  Albatross,  32. 

-fronted  Warbler,  415. 

-headed  Grosbeak,  372. 


Jay,  273. 
Leucosticte,  317. 
Merlin,  169. 
Oyster-catcher,  107. 
Petrel,  38. 
Phoebe,  255. 
-poll  Warbler,  416. 
Rail,  82. 
Swift,  229. 

-tailed  Gnatcatcher,  466. 
-throated  Blue  Warbler,  412. 
Gray  Warbler,  418. 
Green  Warbler,  420. 
Loon,  10. 
Sparrow,  350. 
Turnstone,  107. 
-vented  Shearwater,  35. 
Vulture,  146. 
Blackbird,  Bicolored,  291. 
Brewer,  300. 
Red-winged,  290. 
Rusty,  299. 
Tricolored,  292. 
Yellow-headed,  288. 
Blackburnian  Warbler,  417. 
Blue-bill,  57. 
-eared  Jay,  274. 
-fronted  Jay,  273. 
-gray  Gnatcatcher,  465. 
-headed  Vireo,  396. 
-throated  Hummingbird,  234 
-winged  Teal,  52. 
Bluebird,  475. 
Azure,  476. 
Chestnut-backed,  476. 
Mountain,  476. 
Western,  476. 
Bobolink,  286. 
Bob-white,  115. 

Masked,  116. 
Texan,  116. 
Bohemian  Waxwing,  388. 
Bonaparte  Gull,  25,  26. 

Sandpiper,  92. 
Bonasa,  114,  127. 

umbellus  sabini,  127,  128. 
togata,  127. 
umbelloides,  127,  128. 
Botaurus,  72,  73. 

lentiginosus,  73. 
Brachyramphus,  12,  15. 
hypoleucus,  15, 16. 
marmoratus,  15. 
Brant,  Black,  68. 
Branta,  45,  67. 
canadensis,  67. 


548 


INDEX 


hutchinsii,  67,  68. 
minima,  67,  68. 
occidentalis,  67,  68. 
nigricans,  67,  68. 
Brewer  Blackbird,  300. 

Sparrow,  343. 
Brewsteria,  163. 
Bridled  Titmouse,  457. 
Broad-billed  Hummingbird,  244. 
-tailed  Hummingbird,  238. 
-winged  Hawk,  160. 
Bronzed  Grackle,  301. 
Brown-capped  Leucosticte,  317. 

Thrasher,  438. 
Bryant  Cactus  Wren,  443 

Marsh  Sparrow,  332. 
Bubo,  175,  185. 

virginianus  arcticus,  185,  186. 
pacificus,  185,  186. 
pallescens,  185. 
saturatus,  185,  186. 
Bubonidje,  109, 144,  175. 
Buff-bellied  Hummingbird,  243. 
-breasted  Flycatcher,  263. 

Sandpiper,  100. 
Buffle-head,  60. 
Bullock  Oriole,  298. 
Bunting,  Indigo,  374. 
Lark,  377. 
Lazuli,  375. 
Painted,  376. 
Varied,  375. 
Burrica,  312. 
Burrowing  Owl,  189. 
Bush-Tit,  460. 

California,  461. 
Lead-colored,  462. 
Lloyd,  462. 
Santa  Rita,  462. 
Buteo,  147, 155. 

abbreviates,  155,  157. 
albicaudatus  senuetti,  155,  158. 
borealis,  155. 
calurus,  155, 156. 
kriderii,  155,  156. 
lineatus  elegans,  155,  157. 
platypterus,  155, 160. 
swainsoni,  155,  159. 
Buteola,  160. 
Butorides,  76. 

Cabanis  Woodpecker,  202. 
Cackling  Goose,  68. 
Cactus  Wren,  442. 
Calamospiza,  306,  377. 

melanocorys,  377. 
Calaveras  Warbler,  404. 


Calcarius,  304,  325. 

lapponicus,  326. 

alascensis,  326,  327. 

ornatus,  326.  328. 

pictus,  326,  327. 
Caiidris,  87,  94. 

arenaria.  94. 
California  Brown  Pelican,  43» 

Bush-Tit,  461. 

Chickadee,  459. 

Clapper  Rail,  80. 

Crow,  281. 

Cuckoo,  195,  196. 

Gull,  23. 

Horned  Lark,  268. 

Jay,  275. 

Murre,  16. 

Partridge,  120,121. 

Pine  Grosbeak,  308. 

Poor-will,  225. 

Purple  Finch,  310,  312. 

Pygmy  Owl,  191. 

Screech  Owl,  183,  184. 

Shrike,  393. 

Towhee,  367. 

Vulture,  144. 
Californian  Creeper,  452. 

Thrasher,  440. 

Woodpecker,  217. 
Calliope  Hummingbird,  241. 
Callipepla,  114,  118. 

squamata,  118. 

castanogastris,  118.  119. 
Callothrus,  285,  288. 

robustus,  288. 
Calothorax,  232,  242. 

lucifer,  242. 
Calypte,  233,  236. 

anna,  237. 

costse,  236. 
Canachites,  114,  126. 

franklinii,  126. 
Canada  Goose,  67. 
Canadian  Ruffed  Grouse,  127 

Warbler,  428. 
Canvas-back,  50,  57. 
Canyon  Towhee,  366. 

Wren,  445. 

Caprimulgidae,  110,  222. 
Caracara,  Audubon,  171. 
Cardellina,  401.430. 

rubrifrons,  430. 
Cardinal,  369. 

Arizona,  370. 

Gray-tailed.  370, 
Cardinalis,  305,  369. 


INDEX 


549 


cardinalis,  369. 

canicaudus,  369,  370. 
superbus,  369,  370. 
Caribbean  Clapper  Rail,  80. 
Carolina  Rail,  81. 

Wren,  446. 

Carpodacus,  304,  306,  309,  310. 
cassini,  310,  311. 
mexicanus  dementis,  310,  313. 

frontalis,  310,  312. 
purpureus,  310. 

californicus,  310. 
Caspian  Tern,  28. 
Cassin  Auklet,  13. 
King-bird,  249. 
Purple  Finch,  310,  311, 
Vireo,  396. 
Catbird,  437. 
Catharista,  144,  146. 

urubu,  146. 
Cathartes,  144,  145. 

aura,  145. 

Cathartidse,  109,  144. 
Catherpes,  434. 

mexicanus  albifrons,  444,  445. 
conspersus,  444,  445. 
punctulatus,  444,  445. 
Cedar  Waxwing-,  388. 
Centrocercus,  113,  133. 

urophasianus,  133. 
Centronyx,  333. 
Centurus,  218. 
Ceophloeus,  200,  213. 

pileatus  abieticola,  213. 
Cepphus,  12,  16. 

columba,  16. 
Cerorhinca,  12,  13. 
monocerata,  13. 
Certhia,451. 

familiaris  albescens,  451. 
montana,  451. 
occidentalis,  451,  452. 
zelotes,  451,  452. 
Certhiidaj,  113,  245,  451. 
Cerulean  Warbler,  416. 
Ceryle,  198. 
alcyon,  198. 

americanaseptentrionalis,198,199. 
torquata,  198,  199. 
Chachalaca,  137. 
Chaetura,  229,  230. 
pelagica,  230. 
vauxii,  230,  231. 
Chamsea,  452,  459. 
fasciata,  459. 
intermedia,  459. 


phaea,  459,  460. 
Chama3thlypis,  426: 
Charadriidse,  4,  84, 102. 
Charadrius,  102,  103. 

dominicus,  103. 
Charitonetta,  45,  60. 

albeola,  60. 

Chat,  Long-tailed,  426. 
Chaulelasmus,  44,  49. 

streperus,  49. 
Chen,  45,  65. 
caerulescens,  65,  66. 
hyperborea,  65. 
rossii,  65,  66. 
Chestnut-backed  Bluebird,  478. 

Chickadee,  459. 
-bellied  Scaled  Partridge,  119. 
-collared  Longspur,  328. 
-sided  Warbler,  416. 
Chewink,  364. 
Chickadee,  457. 
California,  459. 
Chestnut-backed,  459. 
Columbian,  459. 
Long-tailed,  457. 
Mexican,  458. 
Mountain,  458. 
Oregon,  458. 
Chimney  Swift,  230. 
Chondestes,  304,  336. 
grammacus,  336. 
strigatus,  336. 
Chordeiles,  222,  226. 

acutipennis  texensis,  226,  228. 
virginianus,  226. 

henryi,  226,  227,  229. 
sennetti,  226,  227,  228. 
Chrysolophus,  134,  135. 

pictus,  135. 

Chuck-will's-widow,  222. 
Ciconiidse,  4,  70,  72. 
Cinclid*,  112,  245,  432. 
Cinclus,  432. 

mexicanus,  432. 
Cinnamon  Teal,  52. 
Circus,  147,  150. 

hudsonius,  150. 
Cistothorus,  434,  449,  450. 
palustris,  449, 450. 
paludicola,  450. 
plesius,  450,  451. 
stellaris,  450. 
Clangula,  45,  59. 

clangula  americana,  59. 
islandica,  59,  60. 
Clarke  Nutcracker,  282. 


550 


INDEX 


Clay-colored  Sparrow,  342. 
Cliff  Swallow,  384. 
Coast  Wren-Tit,  460. 
Coccothraustes,  308,  307. 

vespertinus  montanus,  307. 
Coccyges,  2,  109,  193. 
Coccyzus,  193,  195. 

americanus,  195. 

occidentalis,  195,  196. 

erythrophthalmus,  195,  196. 
Cock-of-the-woods,  213. 
Cceligena,  233,  234. 

clemenciae,  234. 
Colaptes,  200,  220. 

auratus  lute  us,  220. 

cafer  collaris,  220,  221,  222. 
saturatior,  220,  221. 

chrysoides,  220,  222. 
Colinus,  114. 

ridgwayi,  114,  115,  116. 

virginianus,  114,  115. 

texanus,  114, 115,  116. 
Columba,  138. 

fasciata,  138. 

flavirostris,  138,  140. 
Columbaj,  1,  108,  138. 
Columbian  Chickadee,  459. 

Sharp-tailed  Grouse,  132. 
Columbidse,  108,  138. 
Columbigallina,  138,  143. 

passer! na  pallescens,  143. 
Colymbus,  5,  6. 

auritus,  6,  7. 

dominions  brachypterus,  6. 

holboallii,  6. 

nigricollis  californicus,  6,  7. 
Common  Tern,  29. 
Compsohalieus,  41. 
Compsothlypis,  401,  406. 

americana  usnea?,  406. 

nigrilora,  406,  407. 
Condor,  144. 

Connecticut  Warbler,  424. 
Contopus.  245,  256,  257. 

borealis,  256,  257. 

pertinax  pallidiventris,  256,  257. 

richardsonii,  257,  258. 

virens,  257,  258,  259. 
Cooper  Hawk,  152. 

Tanager,  38 1,382. 
Coot,  American,  83. 
Copper  Pheasant,  135. 
Coppery-tailed  Trogon,  197. 
Cormorant,  Baird,  42. 

Brandt,  41. 


Double-crested,  40. 

Farallone,  40. 

Mexican,  41. 

Violet-green,  41. 

White-crested,  40. 
Corvidse,  112,  245,  269. 
Corvus,  269,  279. 

americanus,  279,  281. 
hesperis,  281. 

caurinus,  279,  282. 

corax  principalis,  279,  280, 
sinuatus,  279, 281. 

cryptoleucus,  279,  280. 
Costa  Hummingbird,  236. 
Cotingidaj,  110,  245. 
Coturnicops,  82. 
Coturniculus,  334. 
Couch  Jay,  276. 

Kingbird,  248. 
Coues  Flycatcher,  257. 
Cowbird/287. 

Dwarf,  288. 

Red-eyed,  288. 
CracidaB,  108,  113,  137. 
Crane,  Little  Brown,  79. 

Sandhill,  79. 

Whooping,  78. 
Creciscus,  82. 
Creeper,  California,  452. 

Mexican,  451. 

Rocky  Mountain,  451. 

Sierra,  452. 
Crissal  Thrasher,  442. 
Crossbill,  314. 

Mexican,  314. 

White-winged,  315. 
Crotophaga,  193. 

sulcirostris,  193. 
Crow,  American,  281. 

California,  281. 

Northwest,  282. 
Cuckoo,  Black-billed,  196. 

California,  196. 

Yellow-billed,  195. 
Cuculidse,  110, 193. 
Crymophilus,  84. 

fulicarius,  84. 
Curlew,  Eskimo,  102. 

Hudsonian,  102. 

Long-billed,  101. 
Curve-billed  Thrasher,  439, 
Cyanocephalus,  269,  284. 

cyanocephalus,  284. 
Cyanocitta,  269,  271. 

cristata,  271. 

stelleri,  271,  272. 


INDEX 


551 


annectens,  271,  273. 
carbonacea,  273. 
diademata,  271,  272,  273. 
frontalis,  271,  272,  273,  275. 
Cyanospiza,  306,  374. 
amoena,  374,  375. 
ciris,  374,  376. 
cyanea,  374. 
versicolor,  374,  375. 
Cyelorrhynchus,  12,  14. 

psittaculus,  14. 
Cypseloides,  229. 

niger  borealis,  229. 
Cyrtonyx,  114,  122. 

montezumse  mearnsi,  122. 
Cyrtopelicanus,  42. 

Dabchick,  8. 
Dafila,  44,  54. 

acuta,  54. 

Dark-bodied  Shearwater,  36. 
Dendragapus,  114,  124. 

obscurus,  124,  126. 
fuliginosus,  124,  125. 
richardsonii,  124,  126. 
Dendrocygna,  44,  69. 

autumnalis,  69. 

fulva,  69. 
Dendroica,  401,  407,  411. 

sestiva,  407,  409,  411,  412. 
rubiginosa,  407,  409,  412. 
sonorana,  407,  409,  411. 

auduboni,  408,  409,  413. 

blackburnise,  407,  410,  417. 

caerulescens,  408,  410,  412. 

chrysoparia,  408,  409,  419. 

coronata,  409,  412,  414. 

gracise,  408,  409,  418. 

maculosa,  408,  409,  415. 

nigrescens,  408,  409,  418. 

nigrifrons,  408,  409,  415. 

occidentalis,  408,409,  421. 

olivacea,  408, 410. 

palmarum,  408,  410,  422. 

pensylvanica,  409,  416. 

rara,  409,  410,  416. 

striata,  409,  416. 

townsendi,  408,  410,421. 

virens,  408,  410,  420. 
Derby  Flycatcher,  250. 
Desert 

Horned  Lark,  268. 

Song  Sparrow,  357. 

Sparrow,  350. 
Hawk,  171. 
Dichromanassa,  76. 


Dickclssel,  377. 
Diomedea,  32. 
albatrus,  32. 
nigripes,  32. 
Diomedeida,  3,  32. 
Dipper,  432. 
Dolichonyx,  285,  286. 

oryzivorus,  286. 
Dotted  Canyon  Wren,  445. 
Dove,  Inca,  143. 

Mexican  Ground,  143. 
Mourning,  140. 
White-fronted,  141. 

-winged,  142. 

Dowitcher,  Long-billed,  89. 
Downy  Woodpecker,  204. 
Dryobates,  200,  201. 
arizon*,  201,  206. 
nuttallii,  201,  204,  205. 
pubescens 

gairdnerii,  201,  203,  204. 
homorus,  201,203. 
medianus,  201,  203,  204. 
turati,  203. 
scalaris  bairdi,  201,  204. 

lucasanus,  201,  205. 
villosus  leucomelas,  201. 
harrisii,  201,  202,  203. 
hyloscopus,  201,  202. 
lucasanus,  201,  205. 
monticola,  201,  203. 
Duck,  Black-bellied  Tree,  69. 
Fulvous  Tree,  69. 
Harlequin,  61. 
Hawk,  167. 
Lesser  Scaup,  58. 
Masked,  65. 
Mottled,  49. 
Ring-necked,  59. 
Ruddy,  64. 
Scaup,  57. 
Wood,  55. 
Dusky  Grouse,  124. 
Horned  Lark,  269. 

Owl,  186. 
Warbler,  405. 
Dwarf  Cowbird,  288. 
Hermit  Thrush,  472. 
Screech  Owl,  185. 
Dytes,  7. 

Eagle,  Bald,  165. 

Golden,  163. 
Eared  Grebe,  7. 
Ectopistes,  138. 

migratorius,  140. 


552 


INDEX 


Egret,  75. 
Elanoides,  147,  148. 

forficatus,  148. 
Elanus,  147,  148. 

leucurus,  148. 
Eleg-ant  Tern,  29. 
Elf  Owl,  191. 
Emperor  Goose,  69. 
Erapidonax,  246,  259. 

difficilis,  259,  260. 

f ulvifrons  pygmams,  259, 262,  263. 

griseus,  259,  263. 

hammondi,  259,  262. 

insulicola,  259,  260. 

minimus,  259,  261. 

traillii,  259,  260. 
alnorum,  259,  261. 

wrightii,  259,  262. 
English  Sparrow,  324. 
Ereunetes,  88,  93. 

occidentalis,  93,  94. 

pusillus,  93. 
Erismatura,  44,  64. 

jamaiceusis,  64. 
Eskimo  Curlew,  102. 
Eugenes,  233. 

fulgens,  233. 
European  Teal,  51. 
Exanthemops,  66. 

Falco,  147,  165. 

columbarius,  166,  168. 
suckleyi,  166,  169. 

fusco-coarulescens,  166,  170. 

mexicanus,  165,  166. 

peregrinus  anatum,  166,  167. 
pealei,  166,  168. 

richardsonii,  166,  169. 

rusticolus,  165.  166. 

sparverius,  166,  170. 

deserticola,  166,  171. 
Falcon,  Aplomado,  170. 

Peale,  168. 

Prairie,  166. 

Falconidae,  109, 144,  146. 
Farallone  Rail,  82. 
Ferruginous  Pygmy  Owl,  191. 

Rough-leg,  163. 
Finch,  California  Purple,  310. 

Cassin,  311. 

House,  312. 

Island  House,  313. 

Pine,  323. 

Purple,  310. 
Fish  Hawk,  172. 
Flammulated  Screech  Owl,  184, 185. 


Flicker,  Gilded,  222. 

Northern,  220. 

Northwestern,  221. 

Red-shafted,  221. 
Floresi  Hummingbird,  238. 
Florida,  76. 
Florida  Gallinule,  82. 
Flycatcher,  Alder,  261. 

Arizona  Crested,  252. 

Ash-throated,  253. 

Beardless,  265. 

Buff-breasted,  26". 

Coues,  257. 

Crested,  252. 

Derby,  250. 

Fork-tailed,  246. 

Giraud,  250. 

Gray,  263. 

Hammond,  262. 

Least,  261. 

Mexican  Crested,  252. 

Nutting,  253. 

Olivaceous,  253.  ' 

Olive-sided,  257. 

Ridgway,  265. 

Santa  Barbara,  260. 

Scissor-tailed,  246. 

Sulphur-bellied,  250. 

Traill,  260,  261. 

Vermilion,  264. 

Western,  260. 

Wright,  262,  263. 
Forbush  Sparrow,  360. 
Fork-tailed  Flycatcher,  246, 
Forked-tailed  Petrel,  37. 
Forster  Tern,  29. 
Fox  Sparrow,  360. 
Franklin  Grouse,  126. 

Gull,  25. 

Frazar  Oyster-catcher,  107. 
Fregata,  43. 

aquila,  43. 
Fregatidae,  3,  39,  43. 
Fringillidse.  Ill,  245,  303. 
Frosted  Poor-will,  225. 
Fulica,  79,  83. 

americana,  83. 
Fuligula,  57. 
Fulmar,  Giant,  34. 

Pacific,  34. 

Rodgers,  34. 

Slender-billed,  34. 
Fulmarus,  33,  34. 

glacialis  glupischa,  34. 

rodgersi,  34. 
Fulvous  Tree-duck,  69. 


INDEX 


553 


Gadwall,  49. 

Gairdner  Woodpecker,  203. 

Galeoscoptes,  434,  437. 

carolinensis,  437. 
Galling  1,  108,  113. 
Gallinago,  87,  88. 

delicata,  88. 
Gallinula,  79,  82. 

galeata,  82. 
Gallinule,  Florida,  82. 
Garabel  Partridge,  121. 

Sparrow,  339. 
Garzetta,  75. 
Gavia,  9. 

arctica,  9,  10. 

imber,  9. 

lumme,  9,  11. 

pacifica,  9,  10. 
Gaviidae,  2,  9. 
Gelochelidon,  19,  27. 

nilotica,  27. 
Gennasus,  134,  135. 

nyctheraerus,  135. 
Geococcyx,  193. 

californianus,  193. 
Geothlypis,  401,  424,  426. 

agilis,  424. 

poliocephala  ralphi,  424. 

tolmiei,  424. 

trichas  arizela,  424,  426. 
occidentalis,  424,  425. 
scirpicola,  425. 
sinuosa,  425. 
Giant  Fulmar,  34. 
Gila  Woodpecker,  219. 
Gilded  Flicker,  222. 
Giraud  Flycatcher,  250. 
Glaucidium,  175,  190. 

californicum,  190,  191. 

gnoma,  190. 

phakenoides,  190,  191. 
Glaucous  Gull,  21. 

-winged  Gull,  21. 
Glossy  Ibis,  71. 
Glottis,  96. 
Gnatcatcher,  Black-tailed,  466. 

Blue-gray,  465. 

Plumbeous,  466. 

Western,  466. 
Godwit,  Hudsonian,  95. 

Marbled,  95. 
Golden-cheeked  Warbler,  419. 

-crowned  Kinglet,  463. 
Sparrow,  339. 

Eagle,  163. 

-eye,  American,  59. 


Barrow,  60. 
-fronted  Woodpecker,  218. 

Owl,  174. 

Pheasant,  135. 

Pileolated  Warbler,  428. 

Plover,  103. 
Goldfinch,  320. 

Arizona,  322.' 

Arkansas,  322. 

Lawrence.  323. 

Mexican,  322. 

Pale,  321. 

Willow,  321. 
Goose,  Canada,  67,  68. 

Cackling,  68. 

Emperor,  69. 

Greater  Snow,  66. 

Hutchins,  68. 

Lesser  Snow,  65. 

Ross  Snow,  66. 

White-cheeked,  68. 

White-fronted,  66. 
Goshawk,  American,  132. 

Western,  153. 
Grace  Warbler,  418. 
Grackle,  Bronzed,  301. 

Great-tailed,  302. 
Gray-cheeked  Thrush,  469. 

-crowned  Leucosticte,  315. 

Flycatcher,  263. 

Gyrfalcon,  166. 

-headed  Junco,  349. 

Jay,  279. 

Ruffed  Grouse,  128. 

-tailed  Cardinal,  370. 

Titmouse,  456. 

Vireo,  400. 
Great  Blue  Heron,  75. 

Gray  Owl,  179. 

Northern  Diver,  9. 

Rufous-bellied  Kingfisher,  199. 

-tailed  Grackle,  302. 
Greater  Snow  Goose,  66. 

Yellow-legs,  96. 
Grebe,  Eared,  7. 

Holboell,  6. 

Horned,  7. 

Least,  8. 

Pied-billed,  8. 

Western,  5. 
Green  Heron,  76. 

Jay,  277. 

Pheasant,  135. 

-tailed  Towhee,  368. 

-winged  Teal.  51. 
Grinnell  Water-Thrush,  423. 


554 


INDEX 


Groove-billed  Ani,  193. 
Grosbeak,  Alaskan  Pine,  309. 

Black-headed,  372. 

California  Pine,  308. 

Rocky  Mountain  Pine,  308. 

Rose-breasted,  372. 

Western  Blue,  373. 

Evening,  307. 
Gronse,  Canadian  Ruffed,  127. 

Columbian  Sharp-tailed,  132. 

Dusky,  124. 

Franklin,  126. 

Gray  Ruffed,  128. 

Oregon  Ruffed,  128. 

Prairie  Sharp-tailed,  132. 

Richardson,  126. 

Sage,  133. 

Sooty,  125. 
Gruidse,  4,  78. 
Grus,  78. 

americana,  78. 

canadensis,  78,  79. 

mexicana,  78,  79. 
Gnara,  70,  71. 

alba,  71. 

Guillemot,  Pigeon,  16. 
Guiraca,  305,  373. 

caerulea  lazula,  373. 
Gull,  Bonaparte,  26. 

California,  23. 

Franklin,  25. 

Glaucous,  21. 

Glaucous-winged,  21,  23. 

Heermann,  24. 

Herring,  22. 

Laughing,  25. 

Mew,  24. 

Ring-billed,  23. 

Sabine,  27. 

Short-billed,  24. 

Vega,  23. 

Western,  21,  23.  25. 
Gull-billed  Tern,  27. 
Gymnogyps,  144. 

californianus,  144. 
Gyrfalcon,  Gray,  166. 

Hsematopodidae,  4,  84,  107. 
Haematopus,  107. 

bachmani,  107. 

frazari,  107. 
Haliseetus,  147,  165. 

leucocephalus,  165. 
Hammond  Flycatcher,  262. 
Harelda,  45,  61. 

hyemalis  61. 
Harlequin  Duck,  61. 


Harporhynchus,  440. 
Harris  Hawk,  154. 

Sparrow,  337. 

Woodpecker,  202. 
Hawk,  Broad-winged,  160, 

Cooper,  152. 

Desert  Sparrow,  171. 

Duck,  167. 

Fish,  172. 

Harris,  154. 

Krider,  156. 

Marsh,  150. 

Mexican  Black,  160, 

Pigeon,  168. 

Red-bellied,  157. 
-tailed,  155. 

Rough-legged,  162. 

Sennett  White-tailed,  158, 

Sharp-shinned,  151. 

Sparrow,  170. 

Squirrel,  163. 

Swainson,  159. 

Zone-tailed,  157. 
Heermann  Gull,  24. 

Song  Sparrow,  357. 
Heleodytes,  434,  442. 

brunneicapillus 
bryanti,  442,  443. 

couesi,  442. 
Helminthophila,  401,  402. 

celata,  402,  404. 
lutescens,  402,  405. 
sordida,  402,  405. 

luciae,  404. 

peregrina,  402,  406. 

rubricapilla  gntturalis,  402,  404. 

virginiae,  402,  403. 
Helodromas,  88,  97. 

solitarius,  97. 

cinnamomeus,  97,  98. 
Hepatic  Tanager,  381. 
Hepburn  Leucosticte,  316. 
Hermit  Warbler,  421. 
Herodias,  75. 
Herodiones,  1,  70. 
Heron,  Anthony  Green,  77. 

Black-crowned  Night,  77. 

Great  Blue,  75. 

Green,  76. 

Little  Blue,  76. 

Northwest  Coast,  75. 

Snowy,  75. 

Yellow-crowned  Night,  78. 
Herring  Gull,  22. 
Hesperiphona,  307. 
Heteractitis,  88,  98. 


INDEX 


555 


incanus,  98. 
Hierofalco,  166. 
Himantopus,  86. 

mexicanus,  86. 
Hirundinidse,  111,  245,  382. 
Hiruudo,  382,  384. 

erythrogastra,  384. 

Histrionicus,  45,  61. 

histrionicus,  61. 
Hoary  Red-poll,  318. 
Holboell  Grebe,  6. 
Hooded  Merganser,  47. 
Horned  Grebe,  7. 
House  Finch,  310,  312. 
Hoyt  Horned  Lark,  269. 
Hudsonian  Curlew,  102. 

Godwit,  95. 
Hummingbird,  Allen,  241. 

Anna,  237. 

Black-chinned,  235. 

Blue-throated,  234. 

Broad-billed,  244. 
-tailed,  238. 

Buff-bellied,  243. 

Calliope,  241. 

Costa,  236. 

Floresi,  238. 

Lucifer,  242. 

Morcom,  241. 

Rieffer,  243. 

Rivoli,  233. 

Ruby-throated,  235. 

Rufous,  239. 

White-eared,  243. 
Hutchins  Goose,  68. 
Hutton  Vireo,  399. 
Hydrochelidon,  19,  31. 

nigra  surinaniensis,  31. 
Hylocichla,  467,  468. 

alicise,  468,  469. 

guttata,  468,  471. 
auduboni,  469,  471. 
nana,  468,  472. 
slevini,  471. 

fuscescens  salicicola,  468, 

mustelina,  468,  469. 

ustulata,  468,  470. 
almse,  469,  471. 
oedica,  4fi8,  470. 
swainsoni,  469,  470. 

lache.  232,  244. 

latirostris,  T  44. 
Ibidid*,  4,  7C . 
Ibis.  Glossy, /71. 

White,  71. 


-faced  Glossy,  71. 

Wood,  72. 
Icteria,  401,  426. 

virens  longicauda,  426. 
Icteridse,  112,  245,  285. 
Icterus,  285,  293,  294. 

audubonii,  294. 

bullocki,  294,  298. 

cucullatus  nelsoni,  293,  296,  298. 
sennetti,  293,  295. 

galbula,  294,  297. 

parisorum,  294. 

spurius,  294,  296. 
Ictinia,  147,  149. 

mississippiensis,  149. 
Inca  Dove,  143. 
Indigo  Bunting,  374. 
Intermediate  Junco,  347. 

Sparrow,  339. 
Island  Horned  Lark,  268. 

House  Finch,  313. 

Shrike,  393. 
Ixoreus,  467,  473. 

naevius,  473. 

meruloides,  473,  474. 

Jabiru,  72. 
Jacana,  108. 

Mexican,  108. 

spinosa,  108. 
Jacanidae,  108. 
Jack  Snipe,  88. 
Jackdaw,  302. 
Jaeger,  Long-tailed,  18. 

Parasitic/18. 

Pomarine,  18 
Jay,  Arizona,  276. 

Belding,  276. 

Black-headed,  273. 

Blue,  271. 
-eared,  274. 
-fronted.  273. 

California,  275. 

Couch,  276. 

Gray,  279. 

Green,  277. 

Long-crested,  273. 

Oregon,  278. 

Pinon,  284. 

Rocky  Mountain,  277. 

Santa  Cruz,  276. 

Steller,  272. 

Texan,  275. 

Woodhouse,  274. 
Junco,  305,  345. 

aikeni,  345. 

annectens,  345,  348. 


556 


INDEX 


Arizona,  349. 
caniceps,  345,  349. 
Gray-headed,  349. 
hyemalis,  345,  346. 

connectens,  345,  347. 

Greg-anus,  345,  347. 

pinosus,  345,  348. 

thurberi,  345,  347. 
Intermediate,  347. 
mearnsi,  345,  348. 
Montana,  348. 
montanus,  345,  348. 
Mountain,  348. 
Oregon,  347. 
phseonotus  dorsalis,  345,  349. 

palliatus,  345,  349. 
Pink-sided,  348. 
Point  Pinos,  348. 
Red-backed,  349. 
Ridgway,  348. 
Slate-colored,  346. 
Thurber,  347. 
White-winged,  345. 

Kaeding  Petrel,  37. 
Kennicott  Screech  Owl,  183,  184. 
Killdeer,  103. 
Kingbird,  247. 

Arkansas,  248. 

Cassin,  249. 

Couch,  248. 
Kingfisher,  Belted,  198. 

Great  Rufous-bellied,  199. 

Texas,  199. 

Kinglet,  Golden-crowned,  463. 
Western,  464. 

Ruby-crowned,  464. 

Sitkan,  465. 
Kite,  Mississippi,  149. 

Swallow-tailed,  148. 

White-tailed,  148. 
Kittiwake,  Pacific,  19. 
Knot,  91. 
Krider  Hawk,  156. 

Lagopus,  114,  128. 
leucurus,  129. 

altipetens,  129. 
Laniidae,  112,  245,  391. 
Lauius,  391. 

borealis,  391,  392. 
ludovicianus  anthonyi,  391,  89S 
excubitorides,  391,  392. 
gambeli,  391,  393. 
Lanivireo,  396. 
Lapland  Longspur,  326. 


Large-billed  Sparrow,  333. 

Laridaj,  2,  17,  19. 

Lark,  Alaska  Horned,  266. 

Bunting,  377. 

California  Horned,  268. 

Desert  Horned,  267. 

Dusky  Horned,  268. 

Hoyt  Horned,  269. 

Island  Horned,  269. 

Montezuma  Horned,  269. 

Pallid  Horned,  268. 

Prairie  Horned,  267. 

Ruddy  Horned,  268. 

Scorched  Horned,  268. 

Sparrow,  336. 

Streaked  Horned,  268. 

Texan  Horned,  268. 
Larus,  19,  20. 

argentatus,  20,  22. 

atricilla,  20,  25. 

brachyrhynchus,  20,  24. 

californicus,  20,  23. 

canus,  20,  24. 

delawarensis,  20,  23. 

franklinii,  20,  25. 

glaucescens,  20,  21. 

glaucus,  20,  21. 

heermanni,  20,  24. 

occidentalis,  20,  21. 

Philadelphia,  20,  26. 

vegae,  20,  23. 
Laughing  Gull,  25. 
Lawrence  Goldfinch,  323. 
Lazuli  Bunting,  375. 
Lead-colored  Bush-Tit,  462. 
Least  Auklet,  14. 

Bittern,  74. 

Flycatcher,  261. 

Grebe,  8. 

Sandpiper,  92. 

Tern,  30. 

Vireo,  400. 
Leconte  Sparrow,  335. 

Thrasher,  441. 
Leptopelicanus,  43. 
Leptotila,  138, 141. 

fulviventris  brachyptera,  141. 
Lesser  Prairie  Hen,  131. 

Scaup  Duck,  58,  59. 

Snow  Goose,  65. 

Yellow-legs,  97. 
Leucosticte,  304,  315. 

atrata,  315,  317. 

australis,  315,  317. 

Black,  3l7. 

Brown-capped,  317. 


INDEX 


557 


Gray-crowned,  315. 
Hepburn,  316. 
tephrocotis,  315,  317. 
littoralis,  315,  316. 
Lewis  Woodpecker,  217. 
Limicolse,  4,  84. 
Limosa,  87,  95. 
fedoa,  95. 
hsemastica,  95. 
Lincoln  Sparrow,  359. 
Little  Blue  Heron,  76. 

Brown  Crane,  79. 
Lloyd  Bush-Tit,  462. 
Long-billed  Curlew,  101. 

Dowitcher,  89. 
-crested  Jay,  273. 
-eared  Owl,  175. 
-tailed  Chat,  426. 
Chickadee,  457. 
Jaeger,  18. 
Longipennes,  1,  2,  17. 
Longspur,  Alaskan,  327. 
Chestnut-collared,  328. 
Lapland,  326. 
McCowu,  328. 
Smith,  327. 
Loon,  9. 

Black-throated,  10. 
Pacific,  10. 
Red-throated,  11. 
Lophodytes,  44,  47. 

cucullatus,  47. 
Lophophanes,  455. 
Lophortyx,  114,  119,  120. 
calif  ornicus,  120. 
vallicola,  120. 
gambelii,  120,  121. 
Louisiana  Tanager,  379. 
Loxia,  303,  313. 
curvirostra 

minor,  313,  314. 
stricklandi,  313,  314. 
leucoptera,313,  315. 
Lucifer  Hummingbird,  242, 
Lucy  Warbler,  402. 
Lunda,  11,  12. 
cirrhata,  12. 
Lutescent  Warbler,  405. 

MacFarlane  Screech  Owl,  184. 
Macgillivray  Warbler,  424. 
Macrochires,  2,  110,  222. 
Macrorhamphus,  87,  89. 

griseus,  89,  90. 

scolopaceus,  89. 
Magnolia  Warbler,  415. 


Magpie,  Black-billed,  270. 

Yellow-billed.  271. 
Mallard,  48,  49,  51. 
Man-o'-War  Bird,  43. 
Marbled  Godwit,  95. 

Murrelet,  15. 
Mareca,  44,  49. 
americana,  49,  50. 
penelope,  49. 
Marsh  Hawk,  150. 
Martin,  Purple,  383. 

Western,  383. 
Masked  Bob-white,  116. 

Duck,  65. 

Massena  Quail,  123. 
McCown  Longspur,  328. 
Meadowlark,  Texas,  292. 

Western,  293. 
Mearns  Quail,  122. 
Megaquiscalus,  302. 
Megascops,  175. 
asio,  182. 

aikeni,  182,  184. 
bendirei,  182,  183. 
cineraceus,  182,  183. 
kennicottii,  181,  183. 
macfarlanei,  181,  184* 
maxwelli*,  181,  183. 
mccalli,  181,  183. 
flammeola,  182,  184. 

idahoensis,  182,  185. 
trichopsis,  181,  184. 
Melanerpes,  200,  215. 
aurifrons,  215,  218. 
carolinus,  215,  218. 
erythrocephalus,  215. 
formicivorus,  215,  216. 

bairdi,  215,  217. 
torquatus,  215,  217. 
uropyg'ialis,  215,  219. 
Melanitta,  63. 
Meleagris,  134,  136. 
gallopavo  fera.  136. 
intermedia,  136. 
merriami,  136. 
Melopelia,  138,  142. 

leucoptera,  142. 
Melospiza,  306,  355. 
cinerea  phsea,  358. 
fasciata  cooperi,  357. 
ingersolli,  358. 
pusillula,  358. 
georgiana,  355,  360 
lincolnii,  35"),  359. 
striata,  355.  360. 
melodia,  356. 


558 


INDEX 


element®,  356,  359. 
cleonensis,  358. 
fallax,  355,  357. 
graminea,  356,  358. 
heermanni,  355,  357,  358. 
merrilli,  359. 
montana,  356,  357,  359. 
morphna,  355,  358. 
rufina,  355,  358. 
samuelis,  355,  358. 

Mendocino  Song  Sparrow,  358. 
Merganser,  44,  45. 

American,  46. 

americanus.  45,  46. 

Hooded,  47. 

Red-breasted,  46. 

serrator,  45,  46. 
Merlin,  Black,  169. 

Richardson,  169. 
Merriam  Turkey,  136. 
Merrill  Parauque,  225. 

Song  Sparrow,  359. 
Merula,  467,  472. 

migratoria.  472. 

propinqua,  472. 
Mew  Gull,  24. 
Mexican  Black  Hawk,  160. 

Buzzard,  172. 

Chickadee,  457. 

Cliff  Swallow,  384. 

Creeper,  451. 

Crested  Flycatcher,  252. 

Cross-bill,  314. 

Goldfinch,  322. 

Goshawk,  161. 

Ground  Dove,  143. 

Jacana,  108. 

Screech  Owl,  183. 
Micropalama,  87,  90. 

himantopus,  90. 
Micropallas,  175,  191. 

whitneyi,  191. 
Micropodida,  110,  229. 
Mimus,  434,  435. 

polyglottos  leucopterus,  435. 
Mississippi  Kite,  149. 
Mniotilta,  401,  402. 

varia,  402. 

Mniotiltida?,  111,245,401. 
Mockingbird,  Western,  435. 
Molothrus,  285,  287. 

ater,  287. 

obscurus,  288. 
Montana  Jnnco,  348. 
Monterey  Hermit  Thrush,  471. 


Thrush,  470. 

Montezuma  Horned  Lark,  269. 
Morcom  Hummingbird,  241. 
Motacillidse,  111,  245,  431. 
Mottled  Duck,  49. 
Mountain  Bluebird,  476. 

Chickadee,  458. 

Junco,  348. 

Partridge,  117. 

Plover,  105. 

Song'  Sparrow,  357. 
Mourning  Dove,  140. 
Mud  Hen,  83. 
Murre,  California,  16.  22. 
Murrelet,  Ancient,  15. 

Marbled,  16. 

Xantus,  16. 
Muscivora,  245,  246. 

forficata,  246. 

tyrannus,  246. 
Myadestes,  467. 

townsendii,  467» 
Mycteria,  72. 

americana,  72. 
Myiarchus,  245. 

cinerascens,  252,  253. 
nuttingi,  252,  253. 

crinitus,  252. 

lawrencei  olivascens,  251,  253. 

mexicanus,  251,  252. 

magister,  252. 
Myiodynastes,  245,  250. 

luteiventris,  250. 
Myiozetetes  similis  superciliosus,  250* 

Nelson  Sparrow,  335. 
Neocorys,  432. 
Nettion,  45,  51. 

carolinensis,  51. 

crecca,  51. 
Nighthawk,  226. 

Sennett,  228. 

Texan,  228. 

Western,  227. 
Nomonyx,  44,  65. 

dominicus,  65. 
Nonpareil,  326. 
Northern  Flicker,  220. 

Hairy  Woodpecker,  201,  203. 

Parula  Warbler,  406. 

Phalarope,  84. 

Pileated  Woodpecker,  213. 

Raven,  280. 

Red-breasted  Sapsucker,  212. 

Shrike.  392. 

Spotted  Owl,  179. 


INDEX 


Violet-green  Swallow,  386. 
Northwest  Bewick  Wren,  447, 

Coast  Heron,  75. 

Crow,  282. 

Saw-whet  Owl,  181. 
Northwestern  Flicker,  221. 

Red-wing,  291. 
Nucif  raga,  269 , 282. 

Columbian;*,  282. 
Numenius,  87,  101. 

borealis,  101,  102. 

hudsonicus,  101,  102. 

longirostris,  101. 
Nutcracker,  Clarke,  282. 
Nuthatch,  Pygmy,  454. 

Red-breasted,  454. 

Rocky  Mountain,  453. 

Slender-billed,  45.3. 

White-breasted,  453. 
Nuttall  Sparrow,  339. 

Woodpecker,  205. 
Nuttallornis,  257. 
Nutting  Flycatcher,  253. 
Nyctala,  175,  179. 

acadica,  180. 
scotaea,  180,  181. 

tengmalmi  richardsoni,  179, 180. 
Nyctanassa,  78. 
Nyctea,  175,  187. 

nyctea,  187. 
Nycticorax,  73,  77. 

nycticorax  nsevius,  77. 

violaceus,  78. 
Nyctidromus,  222,  225. 

albicollis  merrilli,  225. 

Oceanodroma,  33,  37. 

furcata,  37. 

homochroa,  37,  38. 

kaedingi,  37. 

leucorhoa,  37. 

melania,  37,  38. 

socorroensis,  37,  38. 
Ochthodromus,  105. 
Oidemia,  45,  62,  63. 

americana,  62,  63. 

deglandi,  62,  63. 

perspicillata,  62,  63. 
Olbiorehilus,  434,  449. 

hiemalis  pacificus,  449. 
Old-squaw,  61.  t 

Olivaceous  Flycatcher,  253. 
Olive-backed  Thrush,  470. 

-sided  Flycatcher,  257 

Warbler,  410. 
Olor,  45,  70. 


buccinator,  70. 

columbianus,  70. 
Oporornis,  424. 

Orange-crowned  Warbler,  404. 
Orchard  Oriole,  296. 
Oregon  Chickadee,  458. 

Jay,  278. 

Junco,  347. 

Ruffed  Grouse,  128. 

Song  Sparrow,  358. 

Towhee,  365. 

Vesper  Sparrow,  330. 
Oreortyx,  114,  117. 

pictus,  117. 

plumiferus,  117. 
Oreospiza,  306,  368. 

chlorura,  368. 
Oriole,  Arizona  Hooded,  296. 

Audubon.  294. 

Baltimore.  297. 

Bullock,  298. 

Orchard,  296. 

Scott,  294. 

Sennett,  295. 
Ornithion,  245,  265. 

imberbe,  265. 

ridgwayi,  265. 
Oroscoptes,  433,  435. 

montanus,  435. 
Ortalis,  137. 

vetula  maccalli,  137. 
Ossifraga,  33,  34. 

gigantea,  34. 
Otocoris,  265,  266. 

alpestris  actia,  266,  268. 
adusta,  266,  268. 

arcticola,  267. 

giraudi,  266,  268. 

hoyti,  266,  269. 

insularis,  266,  269. 

leucolaema,  266,  267. 

merrilli,  266,  268. 

occidentalis,  266,  269. 

pallida,  266,  268. 

praticola,  266,  267. 

rubea,  266,  268. 

strigata,  266,  268. 
Ouzel,  Water,  432. 
Oven-bird,  423. 
Owl,  Aiken  Screech,  184. 
American  Hawk,  188. 
Arctic  Horned,  186. 
Barn,  173. 
Barred,  178. 


560 


INDEX 


Burrowing1,  189. 
California  Pygmy,  191. 

Screech,  183. 
Dusky  Horned,  186. 
Dwarf  Screech,  185. 
Elf,  191. 

Ferruginous  Pygmy,  191. 
Flammulated  Screech,  188. 
Great  Gray,  179. 
Kennicott  Screech,  183. 
Long-eared,  175. 
MacFarlane  Screech,  184. 
Mexican  Screech,  183. 
Northern  Spotted,  179. 
Northwest  Saw- whet,  181. 
Pacific  Horned,  186. 
Pygmy,  190. 
Richardson,  180. 
Rocky  Mountain  Screech,  183. 
Saw-whet,  180. 
Screech,  182. 
Short-eared,  177. 
Snowy,  187. 
Spotted,  178. 

Screech,  184. 
Texas  Barred,  178. 

Screech,  183. 
Western  Horned,  185. 
Oxyechus,  103. 
Oyster-catcher,  Black,  107. 
Frazar,  107. 

Pacific  Fulmar,  34. 

Horned  Owl,  186. 

House  Wren,  448. 

Kittiwake,  19. 

Yellow-throat,  426. 
Painted  Bunting,  376. 

Redstart,  430. 
Pale  Goldfinch,  321. 

Varied  Thrush,  474. 
Pallid  Horned  Lark,  266. 

Wren-Tit,  459. 
Palm  Warbler,  422. 
Palmer  Thrasher,  439. 
Paludicolae,  1,  4,  78. 
Pandion,  146, 172. 

haliaetus  carolinensis,  172. 
Parabuteo,  147,  154. 

unicinctus  harrisi,  154. 
Parasitic  Jaeger,  18. 
Parauque,  Merrill,  225. 
Paridje,  112, 113,  245,  452. 
Parkman  Wren,  448. 
Paroquet  Auklet,  14. 
Parrot,  Thick-billed,  192. 


Partridge,  California,  120. 
Chestnut-bellied  Scaled,  119. 
Gambel,  121. 
Mountain,  117. 
Plumed,  117. 
Scaled,  118. 
Valley,  120. 
Parus,  452,  455,  457. 
atricapillus,  455,  457. 
occidentalis,  455,  458. 
septentrionalis,  455,  457. 
atricristatus,  455. 
gambeli,  455,  458. 
hudsonicus  columbianus,  455,  459 
inornatus,  455,  456. 
griseus,  455,  456. 
rufescens,  455,  459. 

neglectus,  455,  459. 
sclateri,  455,  458. 
wollweberi,  455,  457. 
Pasadena  Thrasher,  441. 
Passenger  Pigeon,  140. 
Passer,  305,  324. 

domesticus,  324. 
Passerculus,  331,  333. 
Passerella,  306,  360. 
iliaca,  360. 

annectens,  361. 
fuliginosa,  361. 
insularis,  361. 
megarhyncha,  360,  362. 
meruloides,  361. 
schistacea,  360,  362. 
stephensi,  300,  363. 
townsendi,  361. 
unalaschcensis,  360,  361. 
Passeres,  2,  110,  245. 
Passerina,  304,  325. 

nivalis,  325. 
Peale  Falcon,  168. 
Pectoral  Sandpiper.  91. 
Pedio3cetes,  114,  131. 

phasianellus  campestris,  132. 

columbianus,  132. 
Pelecanidse,  3,  39,  42. 
Pelecanus,  42. 

californicus,  42,  43. 
erythrorhynchos,  42. 
occidentals,  43. 
Pelican,  American  White,  42. 

California  Brown,  43. 
Pelidna,  93. 
Pelionetta,  63. 
Pendulinus,  295. 
Perisoreus,  269,  277. 

canadensis  capitalis,  277, 


INDEX 


661 


obscurus,  278. 

griseus,  279. 

Petrel,  Ashy,  38. 

Black,  38. 

Forked-tailed,  37. 

Kaeding,  37. 

Socorro,  38. 
Petrochelidon,  382,  383. 

lunifrons,  383,  384. 

melanogastra,  383,  384. 
Peucaea,  352. 

botterii,  352. 

cassini,  352. 
Peucedramus,  410. 
Pewee,  Wood,  258. 
Phainopepla,  387,  390. 

nitens,  390. 

Phalacrocoracidae,  3,  39. 
Phalacrocorax,  39,  40. 

dilophus,  39,  40. 
albociliatus,  39,  40. 
cincinatus,  39,  40. 

mexicanus,  39,  41. 

pelagicus  resplendens,  40,  42. 
robustus,  40,  41. 

penicillatus,  39,  41. 
PhalEenoptilus,  222,  224. 

nuttallii,  224. 

californicus,  224,  225. 
nitidus,  224,  225. 
Phalarope,  Northern,  84. 

Red,  84. 

Wilson,  85. 
Phalaropodidte,  4,  84. 
Phalaropus,  84. 

lobatus,  84. 

Phasianidse,  108,  113,  134. 
Phasianus,  134,  135. 

so3mmerringii,  135. 

torquatus,  135. 

versicolor,  135. 
Pheasant,  Copper,  135. 

Golden,  135. 

Green,  135. 

Ring-necked,  135. 

Silver,  135. 
Philacte,  45,  69. 

canagica,  69. 
Philohela,  87,  88. 

minor,  88. 
Phoebe,  254. 

Black,  255. 

Say,  255. 

Western  Black,  256. 
Phcebetria,  32,  33. 

fuliginosa,  33. 


Pica,  269. 

pica  hudsonica,  269,  270, 

nuttalli,  269,  271. 
Pici,  2,  110,  200. 
Picicorvus,  282. 
Picidse,  110,  200. 
Picoides,  200,208. 

americanus,  208,  209. 
dorsalis,  208,  209. 
fasciatus,  208,  209. 

arcticus,  208. 

Pied-billed  Grebe,  8. 
Pigeon,  Band-tailed,  138. 
Guillemot,  16. 
Hawk,  168. 
Passenger,  140. 
Red-billed,  140. 
Pileolated  Warbler,  428. 
Pine  Finch,  323. 

Siskin.  323. 
Pinicola,'  305,  308. 

enucleator  alascensis,  308,  309 
californica,  308. 
montana,  308. 
Pink-footed  Shearwater,  35. 

-sided  Junco,  348. 
Pifton  Jay,  284. 
Pintail,  54. 
Pipilo,  306,  363. 
aberti,  363,  368. 
erythrophthalmus,  364. 
fuscus  crissalis,  363,  367. 
mesoleucus,  363,  366. 
senicula,  363,  367. 
maculatus  arcticus,  364. 
atratus,  364,  366. 
clementae,  364,  366. 
megalonyx,  364,  365. 
oregonus,  364,  365. 
Pipit,  431. 

Sprague,  432. 
Piranga,  379. 

erythromelas,  379,  380. 
hepatica,  379,  381. 
ludoviciana,  379. 
rubra,  379,  382. 

cooperi,  379,  382. 
Pitangus,  245,  250. 

derbianus,  250. 
Plain  Titmouse,  456. 
Platypsaris,  245. 

albiventris,  245. 
Plegadis,  70,  71. 
autumnalis,  71. 
guarauna,  71. 


562 


INDEX 


Plover,  Belted  Piping,  104. 

Black-bellied,  102. 

Golden,  103. 

Mountain,  105. 

Semipalmated,  104. 

Snowy,  105. 

Upland,  99. 

Wilson,  105. 
Plumbeous  Gnatcatcher,  466. 

Vireo,  397. 

Plumed  Partridge,  117. 
Podasocys,  105. 
Podiceps,  8. 
Podicipidae,  2,  5. 
Podilymbus,  5,  8. 

podiceps,  8. 

Point  Pinos  Junco,  348. 
Polioptila,  463,  465. 

cserulea,  465. 

obscura,  465,  466. 

californica,  465,  466. 

plumbea,  465,  466. 
Polyborus,  147,  171. 

cheriway,  171. 
Pomarine  Jaeger,  18. 
Pooacetes,  304,  329. 

gramineus  affinis,  329,  330. 

confinis,  329. 
Poor-will,  224. 

California,  225. 
Frosted,  225. 
Porzana,  79,  81. 

Carolina,  81. 

coturniculus,  81,  82. 

noveboracensis,  81,  82. 
Prairie  Falcon,  166. 

Hen,  130. 

Horned  Lark,  268. 

Sharp-tailed  Grouse,  132. 
Priocella,  33,  34. 

glacialoides,  34. 
Procellariida,  3,  32,  33. 
Progne,  382,  383. 

subis,  383. 

hesperia,  383. 
Psaltriparus,  452,  460. 

lloydi,  460,  462. 

minimus,  460. 

calif  ornicus,  460,  461. 

plumbeus,  460,  462. 

santaritae,  460,  462. 
Psittaci,  1,  109,  192. 
Psittacidaa,  109,  192. 
Ptarmigan,   Southern  White-tailed, 
129. 


White-tailed,  129. 
Ptychoramphus,  12,  13. 

aleuticus,  13. 
Puffin,  Tufted,  12. 
Puffinus,  35. 

bulleri,  35,  36. 

creatopus,  35. 

griseus,  35,  36. 

opisthomelas,  35. 

tenuirostris,  35,  37. 
Purple  Finch,  310. 

Martin,  383. 
Pygmy  Nuthatch,  454. 

Owl,  190. 

Pygopodes,  1,  2,  5. 
Pyrocephalus,  245,  264. 

rubineus  mexicanus,  264. 
Pyrrhuloxia,  305,  370. 

Arizona,  370. 

sinuata,  370. 

texana,  370. 

Texas,  371. 

Quail,  Mearns,  122. 
Querquedula,  45,  52. 

cyanoptera,  52. 

discors,  52,  53. 
Quiscalus,  285,  301. 

major  macrourus,  301,  302. 

quiscula  aeneus,  301. 

Rail 

California  Clapper,  80. 

Caribbean  Clapper,  80. 

Carolina,  81. 

Farallon  Black,  82. 

Virginia.  80. 

Yellow,  82. 
Rallidaa,  4,  79. 
Rallus,  79. 

levipes,  80. 

longirostris  caribaeus,  80. 

obsoletus,  80. 

virginianus,  80. 
Raptores,  1,  109,  144. 
Raven,  American,  279. 

Northern,  280. 

White-necked,  280. 
Recurvirostra,  86. 

americana,  86. 
Recurvirostridae,  4,  84,  86. 
Red-backed  Junco,  349. 
Sandpiper,  93. 

-bellied  Hawk,  157. 
Woodpecker,  218. 

-billed  Pigeon,  140. 


INDEX 


563 


-breasted  Merganser,  46. 
Nuthatch,  454. 
Sapsucker,  211. 

-eyed  Cowbird,  288. 
Vireo,  395. 

-faced  Warbler,  430. 

-headed  Woodpecker,  215. 

-naped  Sapsucker,  211. 

Phalarope,  84. 

-shafted  Flicker,  221. 

-tail,  Western,  156. 

-tailed  Hawk,  1&5. 

-throated  Loon,  11. 

-winged  Blackbird,  290. 
Redwing,  Northwestern,  291. 

San  Diego,  291. 

Sonoran,  290. 

Thick-billed,  291. 

Vera  Cruz,  290. 
Reddish  Egret,  76. 
Redhead,  56. 
Redpoll,  319. 

Hoary,  318. 
Redstart,  American,  429. 

Painted,  430. 
Regulus,  463. 

calendula,  463,  464. 
grinnelli,  463,  465. 

satrapa,  463. 

olivaceus,  463,  464. 
Rhinoceros  Auklet,  13. 
Rhynchodon,  167. 
Rhynchofalco,  170. 
Rhynchophanes,  304,  326,  328. 

mccownii,  328. 
Rhynchopsitta,  192. 

pachyrhyncha,  192. 
Richardson  Grouse,  126. 

Merlin,  169. 

Owl,  180. 
Ridgway  Flycatcher,  265. 

Junco,  348. 

Rieffer  Hummingbird,  243. 
Ring-billed  Gull,  23. 

-necked  Duck,  59. 

Pheasant,  135. 
Rio  Grande  Turkey,  136. 

Yellow-throat,  426. 
Riparia,  382,  386. 

riparia,  386. 
Rissa,  19. 

tridactyla  pollicaris,  19. 
Rivoli  Hummingbird,  233. 
Road-runner,  193. 
Robin,  472. 

Western,  472. 


Rock  Sparrow,  355. 

Wren,  443. 
Rocky  Mountain  Creeper,  451. 

Hairy  Woodpecker,  203, 
Nuthatch,  453. 
Pine  Grosbeak,  308. 
Screech  Owl,  183. 
Rodgers  Fulmar,  34. 
Rose-breasted  Grosbeak,  372. 
Ross  Snow  Goose,  66. 
Rough-legged  Hawk,  162. 

-winged  Swallow,  387. 
Royal  Tern,  28. 
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet,  464. 

-throated  Hummingbird,  235. 
Ruddy  Duck,  64. 

Horned  Lark,  268. 

Turnstone,  107. 
Rufous-crowned  Sparrow,  354. 

Hummingbird,  239. 

-winged  Sparrow,  353. 
Russet-backed  Thrush,  470. 
Rusty  Blackbird,  299. 

Song  Sparrow,  358. 

Sabine  Gull,  27. 
Sage  Grouse,  133. 

Sparrow,  351. 

Thrasher,  435. 

Saint  Lucas  Woodpecker,  205. 
Salpinctes,  434,  443. 

obsoletus,  443. 

pulverius,  443. 
Salt  Marsh  Song  Sparrow,  358. 

Yellow-throat,  425. 
Samuels  Song  Sparrow,  358. 
San  Clemente  Song  Sparrow,  359. 
Towhee.  366. 
Wren,  448. 

San  Diego  Red-wing,  291. 
Song  Sparrow,  357. 
Towhee,  366. 

Fernando  Towhee,  367. 
Sanderling,  94. 
Sandhill  Crane,  79. 
Sandpiper,  Baird,  92. 

Bartramian,  99. 

Bonaparte,  92. 

Buff-breasted,  100. 

Least,  92. 

Pectoral,  91. 

Red-backed,  93. 

Semipalmated,  93. 

Solitary,  97. 

Spotted,  100. 

Stilt,  90. 


564 


INDEX 


Upland,  99. 

Western,  94. 
Solitary,  98. 

White-rumped,  92. 
Sandwich  Sparrow,  331. 
Santa  Barbara  Flycatcher,  260. 
Song1  Sparrow,  358. 

Cruz  Jay,  276. 

Song  Sparrow,  357. 

Rita  Bush-Tit,  462. 
Sapsucker,  Northern  Red-breasted, 
212. 

Red-breasted,  211. 

Red-naped,  211. 

Williamson,  212. 

Yellow-bellied,  210. 
Savanna  Sparrow,  Western,  332. 
Saw-whet  Owl,  180. 

Northwest,  181. 
Saxicola,  467,  475. 

oenanthe,  475. 
Say  Phoebe,  255. 
Sayornis,  246,  254. 

nigricans,  254,  255. 
semiatra,  254,  256. 

phcebe,  254. 

saya,  254,  255. 
Scaled  Partridge,  118. 
Scardafella,  138,  143. 

inca,  143. 

Scarlet  Tanager,  380. 
Scaup  Duck,  57. 
Scissor-tailed  Flycatcher,  246. 
Scolecophagus,  286,  299. 

carolinus,  299. 

cyanocephalus,  299,  300. 
Scolopacidae,  4,  84,  87. 
Scorched  Horned  Lark,  269. 
Scoter,  American,  63. 

Surf,  63. 

White-winged,  63. 
Scotiaptex,  175, 179. 

cinerea,  179. 
Scott  Oriole,  294. 

Sparrow,  354. 
Screech  Owl,  182. 
Seed-eater,  Sharpe,  376. 
Seiurus,  401,  423. 

aurocapillus,  423. 

noveboracensis  notabilis,  423. 
Selasphorus,  233,  237,  233. 

alleni,  238,  241. 

floresii,  238. 

platycercus,  238,  240. 

rufus,  238,  239. 
Semipalmated  Plover,  104. 


Sandpiper,  93. 
Sennett  Nighthawk,  228. 

Oriole,  295. 

Thrasher,  438. 

Warbler,  407. 

White-tailed  Hawk,  158. 
Setophaga,  401,  429. 

picta,  429,  430. 

ruticilla,  429. 
Sharp-shinned  Hawk,  151. 
Sharpe  S*eed-eater,  376. 
Shearwater,  Black- vented,  35 

Dark-bodied,  35,  36. 

Pink-footed,  35. 

Slender-billed,  37. 
Sheldrake,  46. 
Short-billed  Gull,  24. 

-eared  Owl,  177. 

-tailed  Albatross,  32. 
Shoveller,  54. 
Shrike,  California,  393. 

Island,  393. 

Northern,  392. 

White-rumped,  392. 
Sialia,  467,  475. 

arctica  475,  476. 

mexicana  bairdi,  475,  476. 
occidentalis,  475,  476. 

sialis,  475. 

azurea,  476. 
Sierra  Creeper,  452. 
Silver  Pheasant,  135. 
Simorhynchus,  12,  14. 

pusillus,  14. 
Siskin,  Pine.  323. 
Sitkan  Kinglet,  465. 
Sitta,  452,  453. 

canadensis,  453.  454. 

carolinensis,  453. 
aculeata  453. 
nelsoni,  453. 

pygmsea,  453,  454. 
Skylark,  265. 
Slate-colored  Junco,  346. 

Sparrow,  362. 
Slender-billed  Fulmar,  34. 
Nuthatch,  453. 
Shearwater,  37. 
Small  White-eyed  Vireo,  399 
Smith  Longspur,  326  327. 
Snipe,  Jack.  88. 

Wilson,  88. 
Snowflake,  325. 
Snowy  Heron,  75. 

Owl,  187. 

Plover,  105. 


INDEX. 


565 


Socorro  Petrel,  38. 
Solitaire,  Townsend,  467. 
Solitary  Sandpiper,  97. 
Song  Sparrow,  356. 
Sonora  Yellow  Warbler,  411. 
Sonoran  Red-wing-,  290. 
Sooty  Albatross,  33. 

Fox  Sparrow,  361. 

Grouse,  125. 

Song  Sparrow,  358. 
Sora,  81. 
Southern    White-tailed    Ptarmigan, 

Southwest  Bewick  Wren,  447. 
Sparrow,  Baird,  333. 
Belding  Marsh,  332. 
Bell,  351. 
Bendire,  353. 
Blaek-chinned,  345. 

-throated,  350. 
Botteri,  352. 
Brewer,  343. 
Bryant  Marsh,  332. 
Cassin,  352. 
Clay-colored,  342. 
Desert,  350. 

Song,  357. 
English,  324. 
Forbush,  360. 
Fox,  360. 
Gambel,  339. 
Golden-crowned,  339. 
Harris,  337. 
Hawk,  170. 
Heermann  Song,  357. 
Intermediate,  339. 
Large-billed,  333. 
Lark,  336. 
Leconte,  335. 
Lincoln,  359. 
Mendocino  Song,  358. 
Merrill  Song,  359. 
Mountain  Song,  357. 
Nelson,  335. 
Nuttall,  339. 
Oregon  Song,  358. 

Vesper,  330. 
Rock,  355. 
Rufous-crowned,  354. 

-winged,  353. 
Rusty  Song,  358. 
Sage,  351. 

Salt  Marsh  Song,  358. 
Samuels  Song,  358. 
San  Clemente  Song,  359. 

Diego  Song,  357. 


Sandwich,  331. 

Santa  Barbara  Song,  358. 

Scott,  354. 
Slate-colored,  362. 
Song,  356. 
Sooty  Fox,  361. 

Song,  358. 
Stephens,  363. 
Swamp,  360. 
Tehama  Song,  358. 
Texas,  363. 

Seaside,  335. 
Thick-billed,  362. 
Townsend,  361. 
Western  Chipping,  342. 
Field,  344. 
Grasshopper,  334. 
Henslow,  334. 
Lark,  336. 
Savanna,  332. 
Tree,  341. 
Vesper,  329. 
White-crowned,  338. 

-throated,  340. 
Worthen,  344. 
Yakutat  Fox,  361. 
Spatula,  44,  54. 
clypeata,  54. 
Speotyto,  175,  189. 

cunicularia  hypogaea,  189. 
Sphyrapicus,  200,  210. 
ruber,  210,211. 

notkensis,  210,  212. 
thyroideus,  210,  212. 
varius,  210. 

nuchalis,  210,  211,  212. 
Spinus,  304,  323. 

pinus,  323. 
Spiza,  305,  377. 

americana,  377. 
Spizella,  305,  341. 
atrogularis,  341,  345. 
breweri,  341,  343. 
monticola  ochracea,  341. 
pallida,  341,  342. 
pusilla  arenacea,  341,  344. 
socialis  arizonae,  341,  342. 
wortheni,  341,  344. 
Spoonbill,  54. 
Sporophila,  306,  376. 

morelleti  sharpei,  376. 
Spotted  Owl,  178. 
Sandpiper,  100. 
Screech  Owl,  184. 
Sprague  Pipit,  432. 


566 


INDEX 


Spurred  Towhee,  365,  366. 
Squatarola,  102. 

sqiiatarola,  102. 
Squirrel  Hawk,  163. 
Starling-,  285. 
Steganopodes,  1,  3,  39. 
Steganopus,  84,  85. 

tricolor,  85. 
Stelgidopteryx,  382,  387. 

serripennis,  387. 
Steller  Jay,  272. 
Stellula,  233,  241. 

calliope,  241. 
Stephens  Sparrow,  363. 

Vireo,  399. 

Whip-poor-will,  223. 
Stercorariidae,  2,  17. 
Stercorarius,  17. 

longicaudus.  18. 

parasiticus,  18. 

pomarinus.  18. 
Sterna,  10,  27,  29. 

antillarura,  27,  30. 

caspia,  27,  28. 

eleg-ans,  27,  29. 

forsteri,  27,  29. 

hirundo,  27,  29. 

maxima,  27,  28. 

paradisaea,  27,  30. 
Sternula,  30. 
Stilt  Sandpiper,  90. 
Streaked  Horned  Lark,  268. 
Strigidaa,  10U,  144,  173. 
Strix,  173. 

pratincola,  173. 
Sturnella,  285,  292. 

magna  hoopesi,  292. 

neglecta,  292. 
Sturnidse,  111,  245,  285. 
Sturnus,  285. 

vulgaris,  285. 

Sulphur-bellied  Flycatcher,  250. 
Summer  Tanager,  382. 
Surf  Bird,  106. 

Scoter,  63. 
Surnia,  175,  188. 

ulula  caparoch,  188. 
Swainson  Hawk,  156,  159. 
Swallow,  Bank,  386- 

Barn,  384. 

Cliff,  384. 

Mexican  Cliff,  384. 

Northern  Violet-green,  386. 

Rough-winged,  387. 

Tree,  385. 

White-bellied,  385. 


Swallow-tailed  Kite.  148. 
Swamp  Sparrow,  360. 
Swan,  Trumpeter,  70. 

Whistling,  70. 
Swift,  Black.  229. 

Chimney,  230. 

Vaux,  231. 

White-throated,  232. 
Sylviidse,  112,  113,  245,  463, 
Symphemia,  88,  98. 

semipalmata  inornata,  98. 
Synthliboramphus,  12,  15. 

antiquus,  15. 
Syrnium,  175,  177. 

nebulosum,  177,  178. 
helveolum,  177, 178. 

occidentale,  178. 
caurinum,  178,  179. 

Tachycineta,  382,  385. 

bicolor,  385. 

thalassina  lepida,  385,  386 
Tachytriorchis,  158. 
Tanager,  Cooper,  382. 

Hepatic,  381. 

Louisiana,  379. 

Scarlet,  380. 

Summer,  382. 

Western,  379. 
Tanagridae,  111,  245,  379. 
Tantalus,  72. 

loculator,  72. 
Tatler,  Wandering,  98. 
Teal,  Blue-winged,  52. 

Cinnamon,  52. 

European,  51. 

Green- winged,  51. 
Tehama  Song  Sparrow,  358 
Telmatodytes,  450. 
Tennessee  Warbler,  406. 
Teni,  American  Black,  31. 

Arctic,  30. 

Caspian,  28. 

Common,  29. 

Elegant,  29. 

Forster,  29. 

Gull-billed,  27, 

Least,  30. 

Royal,  28. 

Tetraonidaa,  108,  113. 
Texan  Bob-white,  116. 

Cactus  Wren,  442. 

Horned  Lark,  268. 

Jay,  275. 

Nighthawk,  228. 

Woodpecker,  204. 


INDEX 


567 


Texas  Barred  Owl,  178. 

Bewick  Wren,  447. 

Kingfisher,  199. 

Meadowlark,  292. 

Pyrrhuloxia,  371. 

Screech  Owl,  183. 

Seaside  Sparrow,  335. 

Sparrow,  363. 
Thalasseus,  28. 
Thalassogeron,  32,  33. 

culminatus,  33. 
Thick-billed  Parrot,  192. 
Red-wing,  291. 
Sparrow,  362. 
Thrasher,  Bendire,  439. 

Brown,  438. 

Californian,  440. 

Crissal,  442. 

Curve-billed,  439. 

Leconte,  441. 

Palmer,  439. 

Pasadena,  441. 

Sage,  435. 

Sennett,  438. 
Thrush,  Alaska  Hermit,  471. 

Alma,  471. 

Audubon  Hermit,  471. 

Dwarf  Hermit,  472. 

Gray-cheeked,  469. 

Monterey,  470. 
Hermit,  471. 

Olive-backed,  470. 

Pale  Varied,  474. 

Russet-backed,  470. 

Varied,  473. 

Willow,  469. 

Wood,  469. 
Thryomanes,  434. 

bewickii  calophonus,  446,  447. 
charienturus,  446,  447. 
cryptus,  446,  447. 
leucogaster,  446,  447. 
spilurus,  446,  448. 

leucophrys,  446,  448. 
Thryothorus,  435,  446. 

ludovicianus,  446. 
Thurber  Junco,  347. 
Tinnunculus,  170. 
Titmouse,  Black-crested,  455. 

Bridled,  457. 

Gray,  456. 

Plain,  456. 
Totanus,  88,  96. 

flavipes,  96,  97. 

melanoleucus,  96. 
Towhee,  364. 


Abert,  368. 
Anthony,  367. 
Arctic,  364. 
California,  367. 
Canyon,  366. 
Green-tailed,  368. 

Oregon,  365. 

San  Clemente,  366, 
Diego,  366. 
Fernando,  367. 

Spurred,  365. 
Townsend  Solitaire,  467. 

Sparrow,  361. 

Warbler,  421. 
Toxostoma,  434,  437,  438. 

bendirei,  438, 439. 

crissale,  437,  442. 

curvirostre,  438,  439. 
palmeri,  438,  439. 

lecontei,  437,  441. 

longirostre  sennetti,  438. 

redivivum,  437,  440. 
pasadenense,  437,  441. 

ruf  urn,  438. 
Traill  Flycatcher,  260. 
Tree-duck,  Black-bellied,  69. 
Fulvous,  69. 

Swallow,  385. 

Tricolored  Blackbird,  292. 
Tringa,  87,  90. 

alpina  pacifica,  91,  93. 

bairdii,  91,  92. 

canutus,  90,  91. 

fuscicollis,  91, 92. 

maculata,  91. 

minutilla,  91  92. 
Trochilidse,  110,  222,  232. 
Trochilus,  233,  234,  235. 

alexandri.  235,  237. 

colubris,  235,  237. 
Troglodytes,  434,  448. 

aedon  parkmanii,  448. 

aztecus,  449. 

Troglodytidaj,  112,  113,  245,  433. 
Trogon,  197. 

ambiguus,  197. 

Coppery-tailed,  197. 
Trogonidse,  110,  193,  197. 
Trumpeter  Swan,  70. 
Tryngites,  87, 100. 

subruficollis,  100. 
Tubinares,  1,3,  32. 
Tufted  Puffin,  12. 
Tule  Wren,  450. 

Yellow-throat,  425. 
Turdidse,  112,245,467. 


568 


INDEX 


Turkey,  Men-lam,  136. 

Rio  Grande,  136. 

Vulture,  145. 

Water,  39. 

Wild,  136. 
Turnstone,  Black,  107. 

Ruddy,  107. 
Tympanuchus,  113,  129. 

americanus,  130. 
attwateri,  130,  131. 

pallidicinctus,  130,  131. 
Tyraunidse,  111,  245. 
Tyrannus,  245,  247. 

melancholicus  couchi,  247,  248. 

tyrannus,  247,  249. 

verticalis,  247,  248. 

vociferous,  247,  248,  249. 

Upland  Plover,  99. 
Una,  11,  16. 

troile  californica,  16. 
Urile,  41. 
Urubitinga,  147,  160. 

anthracina,  160. 

Valley  Partridge,  120. 
Varied  Bunting,  375. 

Thrush,  473. 
Vaux  Swift,  231. 
Vega  Gull,  23. 
Verdin,  462. 

Vermilion  Flycatcher,  264. 
Vigors  Wren,  446. 
Vireo,  394,  397. 

Anthony,  399. 

atricapiilus,  394,  397. 

Bell,  399. 

bellii,  394,  399. 

Black-capped,  397. 

Blue-headed,  396. 

Cassin.  396. 

flavoviridis,  394,  395. 

gilvus,  394,  395. 

Gray,  400. 

Hutton,  399. 

huttoni,  395,  399. 
obscurus,  395,  399. 
stephensi,  395,  399. 

Least,  400. 

noveboracensis,  394,  398. 
micrus,  394,  399. 

olivaceus,  394,  395. 

pusillus,  394,  400. 

Red-eyed,  395. 

Small  White-eyed,  399. 

solitarius,  394,  396. 


cassinii,  394,  396. 
plumbeus,  394,  397. 

Stephens,  399. 

vicinior,  394,  499. 

Warbling,  395. 

White-eyed,  398. 

Yellow-green,  395. 
Vireonidse,  113,  245,  394. 
Vireosylva,  395. 
Virginia  Rail,  80. 

Warbler,  403. 
Vulture,  Black,  146. 

California,  144. 

Turkey,  145. 

Wandering  Tatler,  98. 
Warbler,  Alaskan  Yellow,  412. 
Audubon,  413. 
Black  and  White,  402. 

-fronted,  415. 

-poll,  416. 

-throated  Blue,  412. 
Gray,  418. 
Green,  420. 
Blackburnian,  417i 
Calaveras.  404. 
Canadian,  428. 
Cerulean,  416. 
Chestnut-sided,  416. 
Connecticut,  424. 
Dusky,  405. 
Golden-cheeked,  419. 

Pileolated,  428. 
Grace,  418. 
Hermit,  421. 
Lucy,  402. 
Lutescent,  405. 
Macgillivray,  424. 
Magnolia,  415. 
Northern  Parula,  406. 
Olive,  410. 
Orange-crowned,  404. 
Palm,  422. 
Pileolated,  428. 
Red-faced,  430. 
Sennett,  407. 
Sonora  Yellow,  411. 
Tennessee,  406. 
Townsend,  421. 
Virginia,  403. 
Wilson,  428. 
Yellow,  411. 

-pumped,  412,  414. 
Warbling  Vireo,  395. 
Water  Ouzel,  432. 

-thrush,  Grinnell,  423. 


INDEX 


569 


Turkey,  39. 
Waxwing,  Bohemian,  388. 

Cedar,  388. 
Western  Black  Phoebe,  256. 

Bluebird,  476. 

Blue  Grosbeak,  373. 

Chipping  Sparrow,  342. 

Evening-  Grosbeak,  307. 

Field  Sparrow,  344. 

Flycatcher,  260. 

Gnatcatcher,  466. 

Golden-crowned  Kinglet,  464. 

Goshawk,  153. 

Grasshopper  Sparrow,  334. 

Grebe,  5. 

Gull,  21. 

Henslow  Sparrow,  334. 

Horned  Owl,  185. 

Lark  Sparrow,  336. 

Martin,  383. 

Meadowlark,  293. 

Mockingbird,  435. 

Nighthawk,  227. 

Red-tail,  156. 

Robin,  472. 

Sandpiper,  94. 

Savanna  Sparrow,  332. 

Solitary  Sandpiper,  98. 

Tanager,  379. 

Tree  Sparrow,  341. 

Vesper  Sparrow,  329. 

Willet,  89. 

Winter  Wren,  449. 

Wood  Pewee,  258. 

Yellow-throat,  425. 
Wheatear,  475. 
Whip-poor-will,  223. 

Stephens,  223. 
Whistling  Swan,  70. 
White-bellied  Swallow,  385. 

-breasted  Nuthatch,  453. 

-cheeked  Goose,  68. 

-crowned  Sparrow,  338. 

-eared  Hummingbird,  243. 

-eyed  Vireo,  398. 

-faced  Glossy  Ibis,  71. 

-fronted  Dove,  141. 
Goose,  66. 

-headed  Woodpecker,  207. 

Ibis,  71. 

-necked  Raven,  280. 

-rumped  Sandpiper,  92. 
Shrike,  392. 

-tailed  Kite,  148. 
Ptarmigan,  129. 

-throated  Sparrow,  340. 


Swift,  232. 
Wren,  445. 

-winged  Crossbill,  31.5. 
Dove,  142. 
Junco,  345. 
Scoter,  63. 
Whooping  Crane,  78. 
Widgeon,  49. 
Wild  Turkey,  136. 
Willet,  Western,  98. 
Williamson  Sapsucker,  212. 
Willow  Goldfinch,  321. 
Thrush,  469. 
Woodpecker,  203. 
Wilson  Phalarope,  85. 
Plover,  105. 
Snipe,  88. 
Warbler,  428. 
Wilsonia,  401,427. 
canadensis,  427,  428. 
pusilla,  427,  428. 
chryseola,  428. 
pileolata,  427,  428. 
Wood  Duck,  55. 
Ibis,  72. 
Pewee,  258. 
Thrush,  469. 

Woodcock,  American,  88. 
Woodhouse  Jay,  274. 
Woodpecker,   Alaskan   Three-toed, 


Alpine  Three-toed,  209. 

American  Three-toed,  209. 

Ant-eating,  216. 

Arctic  Three-toed,  208. 

Arizona,  206. 

Batchelder,  203. 

Cabanis,  202. 

Californian,  217. 

Downy,  204. 

Gairdner,  203. 

Gila,  219. 

Golden-fronted,  218. 

Harris,  202. 

Lewis,  217. 

Northern  Hairy,  201. 
Pileated,  213. 

Nuttall,  205. 

Red-bellied,  218. 
-headed,  215. 

Rocky  Mountain  Hairy,  203. 

Saint  Lucas,  205. 

Texan,  204. 

White-headed,  207. 
Worthen  Sparrow,  344. 
Wren,  Aztec,  449. 


570 


INDEX 


Baird,  447. 
Bryant  Cactus,  443. 
Cactus,  442. 
Canyon,  445. 
Carolina,  446. 

Dotted  Canyon,  445. 
Interior  Tule,  451. 
Long-billed  Marsh,  450. 
Northwest  Bewick,  447. 
Pacific  House,  448. 
Parkman,  448. 
Rock,  443. 
San  Clemente,  448. 

Nicolas  Rock,  443. 
Short-billed  Marsh,  450. 
Southwest  Bewick,  447. 

Texas  Bewick,  447. 

Tule,  450. 

Vigors,  446. 

Western  Winter,  449. 

White-throated,  445. 
Wren-Tit,  Coast,  460. 

Pallid,  459. 
Wright  Flycatcher,  262. 

Xanthocephalus,  285,  288. 

xanthocephalus,  288. 
Xanthoura,  269,  277. 

luxuosa  glaucescens,  277. 
Xantus  Becard,  245. 

Murrelet,  16. 
Xema,  19,  27. 

sabini,  27. 


Xenopicus,  200,  207. 
albolarvatus,  207. 

Yakutat  Fox  Sparrow,  361. 
Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker,  21(X 
-billed  Cuckoo,  195,  197. 

Magpie.  271. 

-crowned  Night  Heron.  78. 
-green  Vireo,  395. 
-headed  Blackbird,  288. 
-legs,  Greater,  96. 

Lesser,  97. 
-nosed  Albatross,  33. 
Rail,  82. 

-rumped  Warbler.  412. 
-throat.  Pacific,  426. 

Rio  Grande,  426. 

Salt  Marsh,  425. 

Tule,  425. 

Western,  425. 
Yphantes,  297. 

Zamelodia,  304,  371. 

ludoviciana,  371,  372. 

melanocephala,  371,  372. 
Zenaidura,  138,  140. 

macroura,  140. 
Zone-tailed  Hawk,  157. 
Zonotrichia,  306,  337,  341. 

albicollis,  337,  340. 

coronata,  337,  339. 

leucophrys,  337,  338,  340, 
gambelii,  337,  339. 
nuttalli,  337,  339. 

querula,  337. 


(Cbe  JfatoersiDe 

CAMBRIDGE  .  MASSACHUSETTS 
U    .    S    .    A 


